Home › Projects › U.S. National Security and Defense Policy › Diplomacy and Development
Syndicate content
 

Diplomacy and Development

Reinvigorating American Diplomacy and Development

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the emergence of transnational challenges from terrorism to climate change, reveal the limits of military power and the need for all three legs of U.S. foreign and national security policy – diplomacy, development, and defense – to work together more effectively.  They also require the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to play a more significant role in responding to crises and shaping U.S. foreign policy.  However, State and USAID are not yet prepared to take on the demands of that role.  They are not appropriately organized or sufficiently resourced; they lack not only a strong tradition of tying their operations to long-term strategic planning, but also the organizational structures and cultures necessary to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.  In response, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has initiated the first Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), a process intended to reassess State and USAID’s roles in the 21st-century world and define new priorities, resources, and reforms going forward.

This project aims to support the reinvigoration of America’s capacity for effective diplomacy and development by convening workshops and other events, conducting innovative research, and producing policy briefs and reports to inform the QDDR and other ongoing efforts to prepare the State Department and USAID for the new challenges ahead.

Related Publications:

Managing 21st-Century Diplomacy: Lessons from Global Corporations, by CNAS Vice President and Director of Studies Kristin Lord and Senior Fellow Richard Fontaine

Beyond Borders: Developing Comprehensive National Security Policies to Address Complex Regional Challenges, by CNAS Senior Advisor Patrick Cronin and Fellow Brian Burton

Planning Diplomacy and Development: Force Planning Applications for the State Department and USAID, by CNAS Fellow Brian Burton

Eye to the Future: Refocusing State Department Policy Planning, by CNAS Senior Fellow Richard Fontaine and Fellow Brian Burton

Engaging the Private Sector for the Public Good: The Power of Network Diplomacy, by CNAS Vice President and Director of Studies Dr. Kristin M. Lord, January 2010

Learning from Experience: Lessons from the QDR for the QDDR, by CNAS Research Associate Brian Burton, January 2010

Related Content

  • Questions for Secretary of State Nominee Senator John Kerry
    Questions for Secretary of State Nominee Senator John Kerry
    Type of Publication: Factsheet
    Date: 01/23/2013

    The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will take up the nomination of its chair, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to become secretary of state. President Obama has tapped Senator Kerry to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton at a time of great instability in the Middle East, economic uncertainty at home and abroad, increasing competition from China and diminishing budgets. In the memo Questions for Secretary of State Nominee Senator John Kerry, CNAS experts Kay King, Senior Advisor and Director of External Relations, and Jacob Stokes, Research Associate, propose several areas where senators should probe Senator Kerry’s views.

    | more |
  • Beyond Fukushima: A Joint Agenda for U.S.-Japanese Disaster Management
    Beyond Fukushima: A Joint Agenda for U.S.-Japanese Disaster Management
    Type of Publication: Policy Brief
    Date: 11/16/2012

    In Beyond Fukushima: A Joint Agenda for U.S.-Japanese Disaster Management, Richard Danzig, CNAS Chairman of the Board of Directors; Andrew M. Saidel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Strategies Asia, LLC; and Zachary M. Hosford, CNAS Research Associate, argue that the United States and Japan should pursue an “all-hazards” approach to manage the consequences of future disasters, improve joint capabilities and strengthen the Japanese-American relationship.

    | more |
  • America's Path: Grand Strategy for the Next Administration
    America's Path: Grand Strategy for the Next Administration
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 05/31/2012

    In America’s Path: Grand Strategy for the Next Administration, editors and CNAS experts Richard Fontaine and Dr. Kristin M. Lord bring together four strategists - Dr. Robert J. Art, Dr. Richard K. Betts, Dr. Peter Feaver and Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter - with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to advance a common mission of promoting informed debate about America’s role in the world and the best ways to fulfill it.

    | more |
  • The Arab Uprising, Marc Lynch, CNAS, Arab Spring
    The Arab Uprising: The Unfinished Revolutions of the New Middle East
    Author(s): Dr. Marc Lynch
    Type of Publication: Book
    Date: 03/27/2012

    In The Arab Uprising: The Unfinished Revolutions of the New Middle East, Dr. Marc Lynch, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at CNAS and Director of the Institute for Middle East Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, discusses one of the most fundamental changes throughout the history of the modern Middle East: the empowerment of a new generation of Arabs who reject the world they inherited.

    | more |
  • patrick cronin, testimony, national security, natural resources, cnas, China
    China’s Global Quest for Resources and Implications for the United States
    Type of Publication: Congressional Testimony
    Date: 01/26/2012

    On January 26th, Dr. Patrick M. Cronin, CNAS Senior Advisor and Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He discussed the subject of China's approach to managing natural resources and its implications for U.S. national security.

    | more |
  • America's Civilian Operations Abroad: Understanding Past and Future Requirements
    America's Civilian Operations Abroad: Understanding Past and Future Requirements
    Type of Publication: Report
    Date: 01/12/2012

    America’s Civilian Operations Abroad: Understanding Past and Future Requirements, authored by Dr. Nora Bensahel, CNAS Deputy Director of Studies and Senior Fellow, and Dr. Patrick Cronin, CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, examines the history of U.S. civilian operations abroad during the past 20 years and identifies several trends that are likely to affect future requirements.

    | more |
  • david barno, afghanistan, testimony, transition, cnas
    2014 and Beyond: U.S. Policy Towards Afghanistan and Pakistan
    Type of Publication: Congressional Testimony
    Date: 11/03/2011

    On November 3rd, CNAS Senior Fellow David Barno testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.  His testimony drew from a recently completed seven-day trip to Afghanistan and updated the perspective he had offered in previous testimonies on the current situation in Afghanistan and the road ahead. 

    | more |
  • China's Monopoly on Rare Earths: Implications for U.S. Foreign and Security Policy
    Type of Publication: Congressional Testimony
    Date: 09/21/2011

    On September 21st, CNAS Fellow Christine Parthemore testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. She testified regarding her work on national security vulnerabilities stemming from America’s dependence on imports of strategic minerals.

    | more |
  • Kaplan 9/11 Decade Commentary
    The 9/11 Decade
    Author(s): Robert Kaplan
    Type of Publication: Commentary
    Date: 09/06/2011

    With the 9/11 decade drawing to a close, CNAS Senior Fellow Robert Kaplan writes that the U.S. is entering a militarily multipolar world.

    | more |
  • David Barno
    CNAS Senior Fellow David Barno Testifies on Afghanistan Before House Armed Services Committee
    Type of Publication: Congressional Testimony
    Date: 07/27/2011

    CNAS Senior Fellow and Senior Advisor Lieutenant General David W. Barno USA (ret.) testifies before the House Armed Services Committee in an open hearing on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. on the way ahead in Afghanistan.

    | more |
  • American Citizen Sentenced to 15 Years in North Korean Prison
    Type: News Item
    Source: The New American

    May 6, 2013 — The New American cites Senior Advisor and Director of the Asia-Pacific Program Dr. Patrick Cronin's analysis of the policy and political ramifications of North Korea's arrest and sentencing to 15 years in labor camp of U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae.

    | more |
  • From Containment to 'Restrainment'
    Type: News Item
    Source: The Huffington Post

    May 2, 2013 — In an analysis of United States' foreign policy dynamics spanning the last century, Huffington Post's  Chris Holshek cites Richard K. Betts' contribution to the CNAS study, America's Path: Grand Strategy for the Next Administration as an innovative and instructive guide which would lead the U.S. to a successful transition into 21st century diplomacy. 

    | more |
  • John McCain and the Lessons of History
    Type: News Item
    Source: The National Interest

    April 19, 2013 — Robert W. Merry of The National Interest discusses Senator John McCain's address to the Center for New American Security, in which he called for American internationalism and stressed America's responsibility to uphold its foreign policy values in a rapidly changing world. 

    | more |
  • North Korea's Threats: Predicable Pattern Or Provocation?
    Type: News Item
    Source: NPR

    April 8, 2013 — Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Patrick Cronin participates in a discussion on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" about the tension between North and South Korea.

    | more |
  • North Korea Tests New Leader of South; Park Geun-hye ‘No Softie’ to Belligerence
    Type: News Item
    Source: The Washington Times

    March 11, 2013 — Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Patrick Cronin discusses with The Washington Times about the escalation of tension between North and South Korea following the recent policy and political developments. 

    | more |
  • North Korea's Iran and Syria Connection
    Type: News Item
    Source: The Star

    March 7, 2013 — In a recent interview with The Star, Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr. David Asher analyzes what the "scientific and technological cooperation" among North Korea, Iran and Syria could mean to the global nuclear balance. 

    | more |
  • Will Cuts Lead to DoD 'Brain Drain'?
    Type: News Item
    Source: Stars and Stripes

    March 6, 2013 — Deputy Director of Studies and Senior Fellow Dr. Nora Bensahel discusses with Stars and Stripes the potential negative effects on the DoD workforce that could result from the recent sequestration. 

    | more |
  • The Mythical Liberal Order
    Type: News Item
    Source: The National Interest

    March 1, 2013 — Fellow Dr. Ely Ratner writes in the The National Interest about the alarming lack of global governance and the mystifying concept of a liberal order.

     

    | more |
  • Data Espionage Sleuths Aim to Put Chinese Corporations in Court
    Type: News Item
    Source: The MIT Technology Review

    February 25, 2013 — Citing Dr. Irving Lachew's recent report, the MIT Technology Review supports the need for proactive involvement from U.S. corporations resisting Chinese online data espionage.

    | more |
  • Don't give up on India
    Type: News Item
    Source: Washington Post

    September 20, 2012 — CNAS President Richard Fontaine argues for a closer partnership between the U.S. and India in an op-ed for The Washington Post, co-authored with Daniel Twining.

    | more |
  • CNAS 2012 Annual Conference
    CNAS 2012 Annual Conference
    June 13, 2012 - 8:45am - 6:00pm
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    The Center for a New American Security's 2012 annual conference, "Rethinking U.S. Security: Navigating a World in Transition," took place in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, June 13, 2012.

    | more |
  • Asia's Economic Outlook: Weathering the Global Crisis While Confronting Rising I
    Asia's Economic Outlook: Weathering the Global Crisis While Confronting Rising Inequality
    April 23, 2012 - 9:30am - 11:00am
    National Press Club
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On April 23, CNAS co-hosted an event in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Asia Society on what lies ahead for Asia and the Pacific and how the economic success of the region addresses national security concerns of the United States. Dr. Patrick Cronin, CNAS Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, provided remarks. Click here for more information.

    | more |
  • India, relations, cnas, richard fontaine, global swing states
    India as a Global Power: Contending Views from India
    January 23, 2012 - 9:00am - 4:45pm
    City View Room
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On January 23, the Center for a New American Security, in partnership with The George Washington University's Rising Powers Initiative, hosted "India as a Global Power: Contending Views from India". The conference featured Nathaniel Fick, CEO of CNAS, and Richard Fontaine, Senior Advisor at CNAS, as well as leading Indian national security and foreign policy scholars and officials, and a keynote address by Indian Ambassador to the United States Nirupama Rao.

    | more |
  • Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro
    Roundtable Discussion with Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro
    September 27, 2011 - 4:00pm - 5:30pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On September 27th, the Center for a New American Security hosted a roundtable conversation with Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro to discuss the future of United States security assistance efforts, the lessons learned from recent events, and the case for establishing the new Fund.

    | more |
  • Critical Minerals
    Christine Parthemore Testifies on Critical Minerals Before House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
    September 21, 2011 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
    House Foreign Affairs Committee
    Washington, District of Columbia

    CNAS Fellow Christine Parthemore testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific in an open hearing on critical minerals.

    | more |
  • Dr. Kemal Kerkuki, Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament
    Roundtable Discussion with Dr. Kemal Kerkuki, Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament
    September 20, 2011 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On September 20, the Center for a New American Security hosted a roundtable discussion with Dr. Kemal Kerkuki and a number of his colleagues on critical issues in the U.S.-Iraqi relationship, along with the Kurdistan regional government’s relationship with the wider world.

    | more |
  • Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
    Roundtable Discussion with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
    September 16, 2011 - 2:30pm - 3:30pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On September 16, the Center for a New American Security hosted a roundtable discussion with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on the key themes that will shape NATO's spring 2012 summit.

    | more |
  • MG Buchanan, CNAS, Iraq, security agreement, Operation New Dawn
    MG Jeffrey Buchanan, USA Discussion on Operation New Dawn: Bridge to an Enduring Partnership
    August 18, 2011 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
    Center for a New American Security
    Washington, District of Columbia

    In light of the impending end of the United States Forces–Iraq mission this December, Major General Jeffrey Buchanan, USA, Director of Strategic Effects for United States Forces-Iraq, visited CNAS to speak about the evolving role of the United States in Iraq and the challenges and opportunities for the future of U.S.-Iraq relations amidst a changed Middle East.

    | more |
  • Secretary Panetta
    Challenges for the New U.S. Secretary of Defense
    August 4, 2011 - 7:45am - 9:15am
    The Willard InterContinental Hotel
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On August 4, CNAS President John A. Nagl, Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow LTG David Barno, USA (Ret.), and Deputy Director of Studies and Senior Fellow Dr. Nora Bensahel led a roundtable discussion over breakfast addressing the challenges faced by the new U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. 

    | more |
  • ADM Gary Roughead
    A Global Navy In A Time Of Change
    June 23, 2011 - 10:00am - 11:30am
    1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
    Washington, District of Columbia

    On June 23, 2011, CNAS hosted Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, for a speech on "A Global Navy in a Time of Change."

    | more |
  • Dr. Patrick M. Cronin
    Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program

    Patrick M. Cronin is a Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).  Previously, he was the Director of the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) at National Defense University and has a nearly 30-year career inside government and academic research centers, spanning defense affairs, foreign policy, and development assistance.

    | Read Full Bio |
  • Richard Fontaine
    President

    Richard Fontaine is the President of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). He served as a Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow at CNAS from 2009-2012.  He previously served as foreign policy advisor to Senator John McCain for more than five years.  He has also worked at the State Department, the National Security Council and on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

    | Read Full Bio |
  • Kristin Lord
    Dr. Kristin M. Lord
    Executive Vice President, United States Institute of Peace

    Kristin Lord is Executive Vice President at the United States Institute of Peace. She was until January 2013 Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security where she oversaw the center’s research and served as one of three members of the center’s leadership team.  Prior to joining CNAS, Dr. Lord was a Fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Program and Saban Center for Middle East Policy at The Brookings Institution. At Brookings, Dr. Lord directed the science and technology initiative of the Project on U.S.

    | Read Full Bio |
  • John Nagl
    Dr. John A. Nagl
    Non-Resident Senior Fellow

    Dr. John Nagl is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security and the Minerva Research Fellow at the U.S. Naval Academy as part of the Department of Defense Minerva Initiative program.  He was previously the President of CNAS. He is also a member of the Defense Policy Board, a Visiting Professor in the War Studies Department at Kings College of London, a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies.  Dr.

    | Read Full Bio |