USAID Civilian-Military Cooperation Policy

[SWJED]

USAID's Civ-Mil Cooperation Policy is a step in a constructive direction. It underscores what I keep reading/hearing: that development is increasingly becoming a critical tool in acheiving national security goals. The National Defense Strategy released yesterday underscores this belief - that development efforts can contribute to a new form of strategic deterrence.

... My worry is - will the gains we have made, albeit small steps, survive the January transition of power in the US? Even good initiatives tend to be abandoned by a new administration that feels empowered to throw out the baby with the bath water by washing their hands of the previous administration's policies, strategies and initiatives and starting anew from scratch. I sincerely hope this won’t happen – WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS – excuse the shout and soapbox rant...