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With the holidays just days away, Washington has been in a flurry finishing the tax bill and final budget negotiations in order to prevent a government shutdown.

On our issues, one of the more interesting items from the week was the release of the Administration's "America First" National Security Strategy, which has received a range of reactions - from very positive reviews to critics citing gaps between the document and the Administration's policies.


Below are our top takeaways on what the new strategy means for America's diplomacy and development tools and the latest tidbits as policymakers wrapped up the legislative year - all in this edition of the GLOBAL GAB.

As we come to the end of 2017 - it's been an unprecedented year for our cause. So let me again say thank you for your ongoing voice and support for our coalition.

Wishing you and your family a happy holiday and a peaceful new year.

Best regards,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

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THE GLOBAL GAB: What's inside the National Security Strategy? Plus Congress averts a shutdown
December 22, 2017

SECURITY STRATEGY. The 68-page "America First" Strategy shifts to view our national security tools largely through the lens of America's economic interests and competiveness, while past narratives centered more on our security needs, integrating our economic and moral interests.

On the issues of development and diplomacy, the new strategy:

* Refocuses our civilian tools to compete against our adversaries and to advance our economic interests (similar to the overall Strategy), while highlighting the "mutually beneficial" results from helping fragile and developing countries

* Calls for modernizing development assistance by helping transition countries from aid to mobilizing their own internal resources to promote growth and stability

* Reinforces the Administration's proposals to expand development finance, particularly to maintain a competitive edge against Russia and China in places like Africa

* Says that the U.S. will remain a generous nation, empower women and girls, support food security and health programs, and continue to lead on humanitarian assistance, while regularly calling on other nations to share the responsibility

* Leaves an open question on whether the Administration will match its strategy with resources for the State Department and USAID after a 32% proposed budget cut this year

One more historical point: Since President Bush first elevated development and diplomacy alongside defense as key tools of our national security in his 2002 National Security Strategy, Democratic and Republican Strategies have defined the fight against extreme poverty as first and foremost a national security priority and additionally a moral imperative. The new strategy is silent on the issue along with HIV/AIDS - and takes a step back from the Global Health Security Agenda.

BUDGET SHOWDOWN. Lawmakers passed a last-minute stopgap measure to keep the government open until January 19th as Congress continues to negotiate a broader budget deal. Programs under the International Affairs Budget, along with the entire federal budget, will continue to be funded at current levels until then. While the next phase is unclear, Senator Lindsey Graham struck a hopeful tone on the USGLC Tribute Dinner stage, predicting that, "When this is all over, we're gonna have more money for foreign assistance, not less."

PERSONNEL PROBLEM. The USGLC's latest op-ed speaks out on how the ranks of America's diplomats are dwindling and America's ability to advance our security and economic interests around the world is severely at risk. This comes after a series of disproportionate and damaging personnel policies, hiring freezes, and an unusually slow nominations process. The op-ed highlights one of the greatest concerns:

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=dvdmHhpg472z5eY4Bpc09A

The State Department has lost nearly 30% percent of its most senior career leadership, our nation's civilian equivalent of three and four-star generals.

* Get all the facts in the USGLC Fact Sheet, along with the response from Capitol Hill - including the letter from Senators McCain and Shaheen to Secretary Tillerson stating: "America's diplomatic power is being weakened internally as complex, global crises are growing externally...including emerging nuclear crises, the threat of war and outbreaks of global pandemics."

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=gUZ2sBHvB7we7VzFN4-Gtg

AXING AID? Ahead of the contentious vote in the UN General Assembly on the U.S. plan to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, the president threatened to cut off aid to countries voting against the U.S. - if enacted, this could affect dozens of countries, including key partners in the Middle East like Egypt and Jordan.

THE FASTEST GROWING CRISIS. Since late summer, 625,000 new Rohingya refugees have arrived in Bangladesh fleeing ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, making it the fastest growing displacement crisis in the world.

ONE TERRIFYING STAT. Children are bearing the brunt of suffering in Syria. In 2016, 1 in 4 civilians killed was under the age of 18, up from 1 in 10 in 2011, according to a new report in the medical journal, Lancet.

MISSING THE MARK. Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it was sunsetting its contributions to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), a highly effective initiative that trains and empowers farmers in some of poorest places in the world - including Yemen. The Administration cited an interest to shifting resources to private sector investment, yet this program is a leading
example of public-private partnerships.

PEACEKEEPING PROMISE. In his first trip overseas the former Boeing executive and now Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, affirmed U.S. support for UN peacekeeping efforts. While announcing no new spending, Shanahan told the Vancouver gathering of defense ministers: "Without help from the international community, fragile states can sow regional instability, become safe havens to terrorists and criminals, generate refugees and [internally displaced people] and provide fertile ground for mass atrocities or the spread of disease."

WATER WORKS. The State Department and USAID recently released their first whole-of-government strategy to help address the 2 billion people who lack access to safe drinking water. The strategy which aims to bring together 17 agencies working on water around the world and states that the U.S. will focus on "countries and regions where needs and opportunities are greatest and where engagement can best protect our national security interests."

POWER AFRICA. New metrics are out from the Administration's signature overseas energy initiative: 10.6 million new power connections - bringing access to electricity for the first time to millions of Africans. Plus, we've generated $54 billion in new funding commitments through more than 150 public and private sector partners.

100&CHANGE. The MacArthur Foundation just awarded USGLC board members, the International Rescue Committee and Sesame Workshop, the prestigious 100&Change grant for their incredible partnership to bring hope and learning to displaced Syrian children. Catholic Relief Services was also among the finalists for this year's award with their program to change how societies care for orphans. Proud to count these groups as part of our USGLC family!

FRONTLINE HEROES. Just in case you missed it - our 2017 Tribute Dinner was a night to remember paying tribute to U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley for her strong support of America's global leadership and the now 200 three and four-star generals who make up our National Security Advisory Council, co-chaired by Admiral Stavridis and General Zinni. Watch the 2-minute highlights video here.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=PBFXXLw_sMeLmeyu1jK0FA

12 MONTHS. This year brought a steady stream of challenges and changes to U.S. foreign policy and development assistance - from a new Administration taking the reins, to a budget proposal that sent shockwaves throughout the country, to a steady drumbeat of support for American global leadership. Take a quick look at the big stories of 2017. Happy New Year to all!

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=8q_FeYTBSHDb7KyGxqb_-A


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