General Hagee Tells House to Use Smart Power
Center National Security Advisory Council member General Michael W. Hagee, USMC (Ret.), former Commandant of the Marine Corps, testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ hearing this week on “Striking the Appropriate Balance: The Defense Department’s Expanding Role in Foreign Assistance.” Nancy Lindborg, co-president of the Center’s sister organization, the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign, also spoke at the hearing. Together, they made clear a strong case that successful global engagement requires greater investment in America’s civilian capacity for diplomacy and development.
In his testimony, Gen. Hagee told the committee, “We need a take a comprehensive approach to promote our national security. Strengthening our development and diplomatic agencies and programs will not only reduce the burden on our troops, but will stimulate economic growth which will increase international demand for US goods and products – and in turn will create American jobs. It is in our nation’s self-interest to make a larger investment in global development and poverty reduction.”
