U.S. Global Leadership Coalition » The Daily GAB

A Pledge to America

Andy Amsler — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:05:37 +0000

Yesterday House Republicans unveiled their “Pledge to America,” which is billed as a governing agenda should they regain the majority after the November elections. Modeled after the “Contract for America” from 1994, it focuses primarily on issues related to taxes, spending, health care and national security with reductions in all discretionary programs back to 2008 levels except those for the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs. While it is not explicitly clear, it appears that the International Affairs Budget would not be included in this “security-related” exemption. The USGLC will be reaching out to the GOP leadership to urge the continuation of the bipartisan support for the International Affairs Budget to be considered part of the “national security budget,” a designation made by both the Bush and Obama Administrations.

A 21st Century Development Policy

Andy Amsler — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:02:24 +0000

The President called “for the elevation of development as a core pillar of American power” yesterday as he laid out a “A 21^st Century Development Policy.” This is a major step forward for U.S. foreign policy and national security. Take a look at the USGLC’s analysis and our statement on this new policy. Next week we look forward to hearing more from Secretaries Clinton, Gates, and Geithner, and Administrator Shah and MCC CEO Yohannes as they hold a roundtable discussion on development at our annual conference.

Pakistan aid totals $345 million with new pledge

Andy Amsler — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:31:00 +0000

As all eyes are on the U.N. General Assembly and the Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York this week, the U.S. is pledging more funding for Pakistan Flood Recovery. USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah and Richard Holbrooke announced $76 million more in aid, bringing the U.S. totals to $345 million. Both Shah and Holbrooke recently visited the area, and Holbrooke said, “I’ve seen a lot of disasters since I entered the government a long time ago…but what I’ve never seen before, and what I doubt anyone has ever seen it before, is the way millions of people are spread out across an area the size of Italy, clinging to dykes, living outside the refugee camps, waiting for the water to recede so they can go home. But there are no homes to return to.” Find out what USGLC members are doing to help with the relief effort.

Development Front and Center

Andy Amsler — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:27:38 +0000

This week President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and USAID Administrator Raj Shah will be in New York for meetings at the U.N. General Assembly, the Millennium Development Goals Summit, and the Clinton Global Initiative, and it’s expected that development will be front and center. While Secretaries Clinton, Gates, and Geithner, along with Shah and MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes will speak about the Administration’s new development policy at our conference next Tuesday, the President should be giving a preview of this in his speeches this week. Keep an eye on www.usglc.org for all the latest information.

Clinton, Gates, Geithner to Speak at USGLC Conference

Andy Amsler — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:14:19 +0000

This morning, the USGLC is proud to announce Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, and Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO Daniel Yohannes will participate in a roundtable discussion on the Administration’s New Development Policy at our September 28^th annual conference, Smart Power at Work. If you haven’t signed up for this incredible event yet, RSVP now.

Is it Thomas Nides?

Andy Amsler — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:29:21 +0000

The news is out that the leading candidate to replace Jack Lew at the State Department is Thomas Nides, the current COO of Morgan Stanley. “In the Loop” broke the news yesterday, and the Financial Times has a story today. Nides fits the job description with both Washington and financial sector experience to handle the budget and management portfolio at State. He’s worked on Capitol Hill and as Chief of Staff in the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Laura Rozen at Politico says to expect an announcement shortly. Meanwhile, Jack Lew’s confirmation hearings to be the new OMB Director take place today in the Senate.

U.S. Provides More to Pakistan

Jordan Smith — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:10:09 +0000

The U.S. announced that it will up its assistance to Pakistan to $217 million to assist with relief and recovery efforts in the wake of the devastating floods, with “an additional $50 million . . . allocated for initial recovery efforts to assist with rebThe U.S. announced that it will up its assistance to Pakistan to $217 million to assist with relief and recovery efforts in the wake of the devastating floods, with “an additional $50 million . . . allocated for initial recovery efforts to assist with rebuilding communities impacted by the floods.” The figure includes $167 million to support immediate relief efforts in Pakistan, through the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority, the UN’s emergency response plan, and many other local and international organizations. The U.S. is also expanding pre-existing programs in flood-affected areas, providing civilian and military in-kind assistance in the form of meals, pre-fabricated steel bridges and other infrastructure support, as well as air support to transport goods and rescue people at an approximate value of approximately $26 million. As of September 2, aircraft have evacuated 10,664 people and delivered more than 3,062,320 pounds of relief supplies. All of this does not include considerable in-kind and technical assistance. Visit our website to see what USGLC members are doing to assist in this effort. uilding communities impacted by the floods.” The figure includes $167 million to support immediate relief efforts in Pakistan, through the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority, the UN’s emergency response plan, and many other local and international organizations. The U.S. is also expanding pre-existing programs in flood-affected areas, providing civilian and military in-kind assistance in the form of meals, pre-fabricated steel bridges and other infrastructure support, as well as air support to transport goods and rescue people at an approximate value of approximately $26 million. As of September 2, aircraft have evacuated 10,664 people and delivered more than 3,062,320 pounds of relief supplies. All of this does not include considerable in-kind and technical assistance. Visit our website to see what USGLC members are doing to assist in this effort.

President Obama Talks about Civilian Presence in Iraq

Jordan Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:05:55 +0000

In his Oval Office address on Iraq last night, President Obama highlighted the importance of elevating development and diplomacy moving forward in Iraq. “As our military draws down, our dedicated civilians — diplomats, aid workers, and advisors — are moving into the lead to support Iraq as it strengthens its government, resolves political disputes, resettles those displaced by war, and builds ties with the region and the world,” he said. “We must use all elements of our power — including our diplomacy, our economic strength, and the power of America’s example — to secure our interests and stand by our allies.”

On Rebuilding Iraq

Jordan Smith — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:00:27 +0000

In a 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 New York Times today there has been “substantial progress on the things development efforts can touch most directly: economic growth, basic security, and political and legal institutions.” Civilians have already played a crucial role in bringing some stability to Iraq, and the plan to transition to civilian-led U.S. operations demonstrates the essential role they already play in U.S. foreign policy, a role that must be supported with sufficient resources to be effective.

President Obama’s Busy Week in Diplomacy

Jordan Smith — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:12:10 +0000

The President will have a busy foreign-policy week as he is scheduled to give an oval office address on Iraq tomorrow night in which he will mark the “official” end of combat operations and the transition to an “advise and assist” mission. Later in the week, the U.S. will host the launch of direct peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Washington. Also, the administration has doubled its diplomatic presence in war-stricken Southern Sudan and dispatched respected former ambassador Princeton Lyman to help with negotiations on an independence referendum for the region, which is scheduled for January. The administration has sent another former ambassador, R. Barrie Walkley, to head the U.S. consulate in Juba, Southern Sudan’s capital. His staff has doubled to 34 people, with 20 more expected to be added in the next few months.