9/25/2009

Source: World US Global Leadership Coalition:

As the world’s attention focused this week on the U.N. General Assembly, the G-20 Summit, and the debate of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, President Obama outlined how the U.S. should engage with the rest of the world, and reinforced the important roles of development and diplomacy. During his speech at the Clinton Global Initiative, the President said, “We’re renewing development as a key element of American foreign policy . . . that’s how we’ll confront the challenges of our time.”

Back in Washington, the President’s team was moving forward on reviewing their smart power strategy. I am pleased to announce the USGLC will be hosting a public dialogue with the leadership of the State Department’s Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR). The session with Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew and his co-chairs will be interactive, allowing participants to provide input on the QDDR. Watch for more details in the coming days. At the same time, the staff of the National Security Council has been meeting with Congressional leaders and community stakeholders about the President’s Study Directive on Global Development (PSD) due out in less than 120 days. Read more

Here are some updates on the issues we are following closely for you:
International Affairs Budget headed for Continuing Resolution — With the end of the fiscal year rapidly arriving, the House passed a month-long continuing resolution this morning in order to keep the federal government up and running. While the House has passed all 12 appropriations bills, the Senate has only passed 6—and the FY10 State, Foreign Operations bill is not among them. Read more