Shea Levin — text status

The Trump administration is redirecting $52 million in U.S. military assistance from Iraq, Tunisia, Slovakia and North Macedonia to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia as it places greater emphasis on security in the Western Hemisphere, the AP reports. The State Department said the funding will help combat narcoterrorism, secure the Panama Canal and prevent U.S. adversaries from establishing strategic footholds in the region. The move does not eliminate military assistance to the four countries losing the funds.