I had the privilege of flying the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules (“Herc”) as a navigator while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1996 to 2004. Distinguishing itself in Vietnam through its versatility and ability to operate on unimproved airfields, the C-130 proved there’s little it can’t do. From providing lethal close air support on the battlefield, to airdropping humanitarian assistance where security concerns preclude landing (recently, for example, in Gaza), to landing on blacked out dirt strips to offload essential cargo, the C-130 is a can-do platform with can-do aircrews that demonstrates the critical importance of using all the tools of American power—development, and diplomacy alongside defense— to build a better, safer world…

For the residents of Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia, the global competition between the United States and China is right at their doorstep. Both countries have selected the town as an endpoint for their African regional railroad projects, making it the nexus from which American and Chinese tracks will diverge. The people of Kapiri Mposhi are, quite literally, facing a fork in the road, and the path they choose will have real consequences for the Sino-American race for influence…

Concerns over the cost of living, especially rising grocery prices, emerged as a top priority for American voters during the 2024 election cycle. A plurality of both Trump and Harris voters ranked cost of living as their most important issue, while all voters said they were most affected by grocery price increases than any other inflation category. Nine months later, the issue has lingered in the political spotlight, as it remained on voters’ minds in the contentious NYC mayoral primary and sparked debates over the impact of tariffs on consumer prices…

During a Senate floor speech in May, Senator Jerry Moran emphasized Kansas’s legacy of global agricultural leadership: “A call to feed the world has been answered by many Kansans, and farmers, and ranchers.” This observation reflects a broader strategic reality: since the 1950s, Kansas has played an integral role in the United States’ efforts to provide life-saving food to communities around the world…

When Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Latin America for his first trip as Secretary of State in February, he sent a signal about the region’s strategic importance to the United States. He described Latin America as “A prosperous region rife with opportunities,” one with which the U.S. can “strengthen trade ties, create partnerships to control migration, and enhance our hemisphere’s security.” In the last 50 years, there has only been one other first visit by a Secretary of State to Latin America. Secretary Rubio’s emphasis on the region demonstrates that some of the best opportunities exist in our own hemisphere…

Recently, the Deloitte Center for Government Insights released an important report that tackled a critical issue on public-private partnerships. Given today’s global threats and competition from America’s rivals, it is time that we up our game...

Once overlooked in global development discussions, the African continent has emerged as a rising powerhouse in the 21st century. Africa makes up 20% of the Earth’s landmass, accounts for 18.4% of the global population, and is home to six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world…

Women’s economic empowerment in the Middle East is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. When women have economic opportunities and legal rights, economies grow, extremism declines, and societies become more stable. This, in turn, enhances global security—including the stability of the United States…

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted its annual 2024 Tribute Celebration, with a packed bipartisan crowd of nearly 800 business, military, NGO, and political leaders, including current and future Administration officials and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle—to highlight the imperative of U.S. leadership in building a better world and a stronger, more prosperous America…

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is committed to advancing a free and prosperous world. In pursuit of this mission, the agency works through partnerships to improve humanitarian conditions and strengthen democratic institutions…