Author Archive

Passing the Baton to Civilians

In his speech from the Oval Office tonight, President Obama will announce a change in the mission in Iraq. While combat troops are being drawn down, the administration will increase the civilian presence in Iraq underscoring the need for consistent, robust funding of our civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy. David Brooks points out in the [...]

Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden in Haiti

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Haiti today, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of the U.S. to development efforts there following the country’s devastating earthquake in January.

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden in Haiti

Demonstrating the commitment of the U.S. to the recovery efforts in Haiti, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Port-au-Prince, today. The White House issued a statement saying the visit is to “underscore … the enduring U.S. commitment to help Haiti recover and rebuild.” The President’s $2.8 billion supplemental [...]

Haiti: A Long-Term Development Need

As the U.S. begins aiding in the recovery efforts in Chile after the devastating earthquake there last Saturday, we should not forget the long road that still lies ahead for Haiti’s own recovery efforts.  Now that the cameras are off and the news crews have turned their attention to other natural disasters elsewhere, the real [...]

Engagement at Work

While much of the media focuses on the military effort in Marja, Afghanistan, the importance of engagement and diplomacy is getting notice and good results according to National Security Advisor Jim Jones. In today’s Politico, Jones said, “The president’s guidance to us is be respectful, to engage, be transparent and try to bring people into [...]

Remembering Charlie Wilson

This week we lost a champion and friend of the International Affairs Budget with the passing of former Congressman Charlie Wilson (D-TX, 1973-1996).  As told in the movie “Charlie Wilson’s War,” he was a passionate believer in a smart power approach to foreign policy, particularly in regards to Afghanistan.  Commenting on Wilson’s death, Secretary of [...]

Condoleezza Rice Joins USGLC Advisory Council

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has joined all of the other eight living former secretaries of state as a member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Advisory Council.  Dr. Rice is currently the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, where she is also a professor of political science. 
The USGLC [...]

State, Foreign Ops Budget Headed for Minibus

Majority of Americans Believe Funding Global Health Keeps U.S. Safe

The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Survey on the U.S. Role in Global Health Update says that “55 percent of Americans agree that U.S. spending to improve health in developing countries helps protect the health of Americans by preventing the spread of epidemics to the U.S.”  While funding for global health certainly demonstrates our nation’s humanitarian values, [...]

It’s Shah for USAID!

President Obama has made a fresh and energetic choice in selecting Dr. Rajiv Shah to be the next Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Dr. Shah brings unique expertise and experience to the position, including familiarity with the crucial areas of global development, global health and agricultural development.
As the President said in [...]