Don’t Cut International Affairs Spending – Admiral James Loy, USCG (Ret.)
“Don’t Cut International Affairs Spending”
by Admiral James Loy, USCG (Ret.)
Defense News, February 28, 2011
When I entered the military years ago, the world was a very different place. Our enemies were more defined and consisted of states that wished to do us harm.
Today we face different foes, and our complex and interconnected world requires us to use every foreign policy tool available in our arsenal to keep our nation safe.
That is why it is critical for us to invest in development and diplomacy alongside defense.
I know times are tough, and legislators must make difficult choices to balance our nation’s budget, but we cannot cut critical national security funding, and that is what the entire International Affairs Budget represents.
Administrations of both political parties, starting with President George W. Bush and continuing with President Barack Obama, have correctly classified this as part of our national security spending. While some in Congress may differ, I strongly believe the International Affairs Budget must remain under the banner of national security. Significant cuts will jeopardize our investments in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, and put American lives at risk.
Development and diplomacy programs funded by the International Affairs Budget keep us more secure by addressing complex threats in the most dangerous corners of the world, from global pandemics and infectious disease to instability caused by food shortages and natural disasters. A strong civilian capacity prevents conflicts before they occur.
Addressing the challenges of today with civilian tools costs far less in dollars than sending in the military, but more important, in terms of our most precious resource – the lives of our men and women in uniform. At just over 1 percent of federal spending, the International Affairs Budget is an incredible return on our investment.
As we look at the changes unfolding before our eyes in the Middle East, we must be cognizant of how critical it is for us to have a strong diplomatic and civilian presence around the globe. Instead of allowing countries to become breeding grounds for those who wish to do us harm, we need to do what we can to assist them in building a better way of life.
Many of the most troublesome areas of the world, like Yemen and Somalia, have the potential to become the next Afghanistan. This may be prevented, however, by working through our diplomats and development experts to encourage economic growth, ensure clean water, prevent diseases and encourage the rule of law.
It may seem unusual for a military man to speak out for more resources for the State Department or the U. S. Agency for International Development, but I’m not alone. A recent poll showed that more than 90 percent of active duty and retired military officers agreed the tools of diplomacy and development are critical to achieving U.S. national security objectives.
Testifying before Congress Feb. 17, Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, “I reiterate my unequivocal support … to fully resource an expansion of … diplomacy and development capabilities, particularly in Iraq to support the transition from a military to a civilian-led mission.”
The transition in Iraq Mullen mentioned is a critical one. Our military has fought for every inch of ground we have gained there. Now that our troops are coming home and our civilians step in, we cannot afford to let those gains slip away.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said, “Without development, we will not be successful in either Iraq or Afghanistan.”
This year’s International Affairs Budget requests $4 billion for Iraq operations, which pales in comparison to the $45 billion that will be saved in our military drawdown. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says, every business owner she knows would gladly invest $4 to save $41.
As a nation, we find ourselves in a critical moment. We have the mightiest military in the world, but we need strong civilian partners to help us meet the global challenges we face today. As a military man who has dedicated his life to keeping this country safe, I know this to be true from my own experience. A strong and effective International Affairs Budget is essential to our national security, and this must continue to be a priority for our nation moving forward.
By retired Adm. James Loy, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1998 to 2002 and deputy secretary of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2005. He is a co-chair of the National Security Advisory Council of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
