(a) Study
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into a contract or other agreement with a federally funded research and development center under which the center shall—
conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of the past 20 years of United States policy in Somalia, including through United States security cooperation and security assistance, military operations, and other forms of assistance provided to and in Somalia, with respect to—
addressing and reducing the threat of violence posed by Al Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia; and
achieving other United States objectives with respect to Somalia; and
develop evidence-based options and recommendations for United States policy in Somalia to reduce or resolve the threat of violence posed by Al Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia.
(b) Elements
The study required by subsection (a) shall also discuss the following with respect to Somalia:
Factors leading to initial United States involvement in the conflict.
The legal opinions that interpreted the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force to apply to Al Shabaab.
A description of the threats posed by Al Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia to the United States homeland.
The amount of funds spent on security, development and humanitarian assistance, including the estimated costs of Department of Defense operations.
An assessment of the policy objectives identified by the United States with respect to such assistance and operations and any United States Government efforts to assess whether those objectives were met.
A description of any efforts to push for a political solution for the war, including internal United States Government discussions and outcomes, concerning whether or not to support dialogue with Al Shabaab.
A description of all significant changes in United States policy, practice, or other factors that have contributed to an increase in the number of United States airstrikes in Somalia since January 2025.
A description of past and planned efforts to engage with the Somali armed forces on civilian harm mitigation and response issues.
United States Government benchmarks for disengaging from military operations in Somalia over the course of United States military operations in the country.
(c) Report to secretary
The federally funded research and development center that carries out the study and analysis under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary of Defense a report containing the results of such study.
(d) Report to congress
Not later than 30 days after receiving the report required by subsection (c), the Secretary of Defense shall submit an unaltered copy of the report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.
(e) Form; publication
The submission required by subsection (d) shall be in unclassified form and may include a classified annex. The unclassified portion of the report shall concurrently be made publicly available.