As America celebrates 250 years, nearly 500 business, veteran, humanitarian, farmer, faith, and bipartisan political leaders converged in Washington to share real stories of how America wins when America leads.

Over the past decade, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – a series of development and investment projects across Central Asia, Africa, and South America – has extended more than $182 billion in loans to 49 African countries, building roads, railways, ports, and power facilities with few governance conditions attached. These finance projects have positioned China as Africa’s largest lender, with 30 of 49 African countries now on interest payments than on public health.

This debt has become a geopolitical exploit for China, especially in regions like the Sahel where security and economic vulnerabilities are increasingly urgent. But it also presents a critical opening for the U.S. to demonstrate a different approach that prioritizes accountability, partnership, and sustainable economic growth.

In a hyper-connected world where diseases cross borders with increasing ease, American leadership in disease prevention and treatment is vital to protect Americans at home and abroad. In 2024, 40.8 million people—and 4.2 million Americans—were living with HIV worldwide. Each year 630,000 people die of HIV-related illnesses globally. It is in the United States’ strategic interest to work with urgency toward an HIV-free generation.

Right now, we are seeing growing instability across the Western Hemisphere, from increasing gang violence in Haiti, a worsening humanitarian and economic crisis in Cuba, to ongoing political uncertainty in Venezuela. For many Americans, these crises may seem distant, but for South Florida they hit close to home… With these challenges at the forefront of our minds, we traveled to Washington last month as part of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Veterans for Smart Power network to make the case for sustained investments in international assistance and diplomacy.

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…

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…

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…

America witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene this past September in parts of North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, followed shortly by Hurricane Milton hitting Florida’s west coast in early October…

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…

The USGLC is proud to have a wide and deeply engaged coalition of government, business, military, faith, and humanitarian leaders committed to building a safer and more prosperous world for all. This month, in celebration of Military Appreciation Month, we are shining a spotlight on three of our USGLC state leaders, the impactful work they are carrying out as part of our Armed Forces, and why leading globally matters locally…

The USGLC is proud to have a wide and deeply engaged coalition of government, business, military, faith, and humanitarian leaders committed to building a safer and more prosperous world for all. This month, in celebration of Arab-American Heritage Month, we are shining a spotlight on two of our Advisory Committee members, the impactful work they are carrying out in their communities, and why leading globally matters locally…

The continued resilience of the Ukrainian people and Western resolve is a testament, in part, to the impact of American leadership and investment to ensure Ukraine’s government can continue to function and defend its territory. Read on for ways that USGLC private sector and NGO members are supporting the people of Ukraine…

There is no doubt the American people have great respect for our military servicemembers. As a result, the United States military is well resourced, equipped, and expertly trained. For many of our servicemembers, that training starts as officer...