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…

The world faces a daunting challenge: feeding a population projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. Meeting this demand will require a 60% increase in agricultural production, a feat complicated by climate change, resource scarcity, and geopolitical instability…

More than 18 million veterans live in the U.S., and we are deeply grateful to the men and women who have served our country in the U.S. military. This Veterans Day, we reflected on the sacrifices made by those in uniform and their steadfast commitment to safeguarding our nation and upholding its leadership on the world stage…

This July, hundreds of leaders from nations across the world gathered in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm their shared commitment to democracy, rule of law, and collective defense at the NATO 75th Anniversary Summit. Growing from its original 12 member nations to 32 countries now representing 30% of the world’s GDP, NATO has become one of the most critical alliances in history…

Beginning yesterday through November 12, foreign dignitaries, heads of state, and both Republican and Democratic Members of Congress descend upon Glasgow, Scotland for the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). In preparation for COP26, both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held hearings on climate change and international development in which Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle.

As the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan continues, USGLC has called for swift action to secure the safety of the thousands of Afghans and their families who have supported our nation’s military and civilian agencies.

As the United States and other countries are increasingly vaccinated and reopening their economies, 20 countries across Africa are facing a third wave that could be the “worst yet.” The IMF reports that COVID-19 infections in sub-Saharan Africa are the fastest growing in the world—driven in part by the highly contagious delta variant—and hospitals are already at capacity in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, highlighting the urgent need for a global response to prevent new variants of the coronavirus from spreading.

As Congress negotiates a bipartisan domestic infrastructure package, the Administration set its sights on the global infrastructure challenge at the G-7 meetings in June. Infrastructure—from roads to schools—forms the connective building blocks of a sustainable economy, and infrastructure needs are especially high in low and lower-middle income countries. However, total infrastructure needs in the developing world will exceed $40 trillion by 2035, exacerbated by challenges from COVID-19 to climate change, and there remains a significant gap in financing to meet these needs.

Africa Day 2021 marks the 58th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity—now the African Union—and is a celebration of the diversity and independence of Africa’s 54 countries.  The U.S. has a long and robust bipartisan history of support for building partnerships across the continent, especially when it comes to strengthening public health, developing local infrastructure, supporting political stability, and advancing trade. In celebration of Africa Day 2021, here are five areas where the United States’ partnership with the African continent has led to tremendous progress in recent years.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) convened a bipartisan virtual town hall with Congressman David Price (D-NC) and former Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), alongside USAID Acting Administrator Gloria Steele. They discussed the bipartisan agenda to strengthen democratic institutions around the world, and how that impacts our democracy here at home.

Throughout Tony Blinken’s confirmation process in the Senate, and that of other Biden cabinet picks, the importance of U.S. development, diplomacy and global leadership has been a key theme of appointees and Senators alike.

This Veterans Day, we salute all lawmakers who have served in our nation’s military and continue to serve as members of Congress. We’re also shining a spotlight on several incoming veteran-turned lawmakers and their foreign policy views.

As the election approaches, foreign policy observers are starting to examine the state of the world the President will face in January 2021 and ask what the next Administration would or should do. The draft Democratic platform offers a glimpse into how foreign policy might figure into a Biden Administration’s vision to “build back better.”