Latest News

Video: Military Leaders Make the Case for Non-Military Tools

On Sunday, May 23 Gen. Michael Hagee, USMC (Ret.), and Adm. James Loy, USCG (Ret.), co-chairs of the USGLC’s National Security Advisory Council, sat down with Defense News’ Vago Muradian to make the case for fully funding President Obama’s $58.8 Billion request for the International Affairs Budget and to boost funding for our civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy.

Round-up on Haiti

Last week’s International Donors Conference on Haiti illustrated the power of diplomacy in action, as the international community pledged an impressive $15 billion over the next three years and beyond to help rebuild the country. Done right, Haiti can be a powerful example of what modern, coordinated development assistance can do.

Clinton and Gates Back on the Hill

Secretaries Gates and Clinton testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday on the Administration’s request for an additional $37.5 billion for Fiscal Year 2010 war spending, including $4.5 billion for the International Affairs Budget. Secretary Clinton spoke about the whole-of-government effort the U.S. needs in its foreign policy, saying “we are very much committed together [...]

National Security Rests on Civilian Shoulders

Few have had the opportunity to lead our country’s uniformed services. We are proud to have done so, and humbled by the countless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. Their efforts have placed our security on a solid foundation.

In today’s increasingly complex security environment though, the civilian tools of development and diplomacy are [...]

Budget Committees Delay Action

While it has not officially been announced, sources on the Hill have indicated both the House and Senate Budget Committees will not mark-up the FY11 Budget resolution until after the spring recess, which is currently scheduled for March 29th through April 9th.  Much of the delay is from the final push on health care legislation, [...]

Two Bills in the Senate

Gates’ Testimony

Watch the hearing

Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was on Capitol Hill Wednesday discussing “new directions in global health” before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  His Foundation’s Living Proof Project highlights the many successes of U.S.-funded global health initiatives, and Gates today offered his hard-earned wisdom to the Committee:

“If [...]

Congress Hears from USGLC in the Field

USGLC activists took advantage of members of Congress being home during the President’s Day recess and reminded them how important the International Affairs Budget is to their communities.  Key leaders such as House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) heard from SC USGLC leaders who drove home the message [...]

Budget Debates Move to Capitol Hill

On Wednesday, Feb. 24th, USGLC leaders took Capitol Hill by storm, meeting with over 30 Senators and Representatives on the House and Senate Budget Committees to let them know how important the President’s FY 2011 International Affairs Budget request is to our national security, economic growth, and standing in the world. From General Electric [...]

Development and Diplomacy Reviews Still Underway

The USGLC continues to actively monitor the administration’s efforts to examine U.S. development and diplomacy operations and articulate a government-wide global development policy approach.
The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), led by Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew and co-chair USAID Administrator Raj Shah, is seeking to create a long-term blueprint for State, USAID and [...]

General Petraeus Talks Smart Power in Florida

Head of U.S. Central Command General David Petraeus spoke to a packed audience of over 600 people on the vital role civilian tools play in 21st century U.S. national security.  Co-hosted by the USGLC and the Tampa Bay Council on World Affairs on Wednesday, February 3, the event focused on the importance of global engagement [...]