Pressroom & Posts

Since the end of World War II, U.S. foreign policy has relied on the three distinct policy tools: defense, diplomacy and development. These three Ds have worked together to develop mutually reinforcing strategies that have enjoyed strong bipartisan support for over 70 years. Continued U.S. leadership across the globe is not only a moral imperative … Continue reading Now Is Not The Time To Shirk American Leadership In The World

The Trump Administration has proposed $37.6 billion for International Affairs in its Fiscal Year 2018 “skinny budget”.  This request reduces funding levels for the State Department and USAID by 31% compared to the FY17 Continuing Resolution. Members of Congress have responded swiftly to the administration’s plan expressing concern over such a severe proposed reduction in … Continue reading Congressional Leaders Voice Concern About Trump Administration’s Proposed Cuts to State Department and USAID

This week the Trump Administration submitted its FY2018 “skinny budget” request to Congress.  The proposal asks for $37.6 billion for International Affairs, a 31% reduction in funding for the State Department and USAID compared to the FY17 Continuing Resolution. MFAN has come out strongly opposing this deep and disproportionate cut.  The MFAN Co-Chairs released a … Continue reading MFAN Community Pushes Back on Trump Administration’s Deep Proposed Cuts to Foreign Assistance

Download a formatted version of the letter here. *** February 23, 2017 The Honorable Rex Tillerson Secretary, U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Tillerson: On behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN), we are writing to congratulate you on your recent confirmation to serve as the 69th … Continue reading MFAN Letter to Secretary of State Tillerson

One theme received more attention than anticipated during newly-confirmed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s recent confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – the effectiveness of foreign aid.  Over a dozen Senators questioned Tillerson on issues including transparency and accountability as well as specific initiatives like PEPFAR, Feed the Future, and Power Africa. In … Continue reading MFAN Partners Break New Ground in Measuring Aid Impact

On January 13, the Pentagon adopted its first-ever Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (AM&E) Policy for security cooperation programs. The new policy commits the Defense Department to systematically examine what’s working and what’s not with security cooperation programs, finally requiring a level of scrutiny that is already in place at the U.S. Agency for International Development … Continue reading Ray of Sunlight at the Pentagon: Defense Department adopts first evaluation policy

For over a decade, donors and developing countries alike have embraced the notion that “country ownership” should be central to the way aid is designed and delivered. Ownership is widely considered critical for achieving and sustaining program results, building local capacity to help countries transition from aid, and strengthening the citizen-state compact by shifting accountability … Continue reading Improving Ownership in US Foreign Assistance