For those watching the news in Afghanistan, the last couple weeks have been horrific and difficult to process. The idea of a Taliban-led government is hard to accept, given the immense progress over the last 20 years and investments made in the Afghanistan government. The global development work of the United States and its allies over this …

Continue reading The case for providing foreign aid to Afghanistan

Historically, the United States has not had strong economic or diplomatic ties with Laos. Being one of the smaller economies among the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) and ruled by the communist Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (Lao PRP), Laos is largely considered a Chinese satellite state. However, Laos has been trying to attract foreign investment from other sources. …

Continue reading US has opportunity to establish stronger economic ties with Laos

Since its return to democracy in 1990, Chile is one of the great success stories of Latin America in the political, economic and social sphere. Economic growth averaged 4.2 percent per year in the past 30 years, and poverty levels were slashed to single digits. In recent years, however, Chile has experienced significant social unrest. Economic inequality, …

Continue reading Chile’s constitutional reform risks radicalization

This summer, Carl Gershman, the founding president of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), will retire from his post after almost four decades of extraordinary leadership. Over the course of his service, he built the NED from the ground up and helped extend its influence in support of freedom to millions around the world. Carl Gershman is not a household name, but …

Continue reading The world is a freer place thanks to Carl Gershman

International debates surrounding innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition, and big data have intensified in recent years — but our digital future is under threat from malign actors that attempt to shape international norms in the technology space through more authoritarian approaches. Given this backdrop, it is important to focus on the leadership race …

Continue reading Biden needs to counter Russia and China to secure our digital future

The upcoming election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) will not be business as usual. Current Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to stand for re-election at the 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022. Normally, Directors-General who choose to run for re-election do not have to worry about receiving the endorsement of …

Continue reading Conflict in Ethiopia creates opening for WHO reform

On March 13, 1961, President Kennedy announced the Alliance for Progress, launching a major shift in U.S. engagement with Latin America as a response to the Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union. Though far from perfect, the Alliance for Progress was a positive, attractive partnership that spoke to the hopes and aspirations of our neighbors. …

Continue reading The 60th anniversary of the Alliance for Progress: Lessons for a new partnership

With just 37 member states, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is the most important international organization that you probably don’t know much about. However, it’s time for everyone — especially Americans — to start paying attention. The organization will face a turning point in March 2021 as a new leader, the “Secretary-General,” is selected …

Continue reading The case for Cormann: Why Australia must be US pick for OECD

Eastern Europe has made significant economic gains since the fall of the Berlin Wall more than 30 years ago. At that time, the economic “pull of gravity” for many of the countries was towards Moscow — centrally-planned economies, limited economic options, poverty, and authoritarian government. Today, nearly all have successfully transitioned into thriving multiparty democracies. …

Continue reading Eastern Europe’s energy independence is the work of generations

The Panama Canal plays a critical role in the facilitation of global supply chains. In 2019 alone, the Panama Canal registered 13,785 transits, or approximately 6 percent of global trade. More than 60 percent of goods transiting the canal originate or are destined for U.S. markets, making free and fair access to the waterway of vital interest to U.S. …

Continue reading President-elect Biden needs to prioritize Panama