Around the Table: Rashad Nimr

Around the Table is a three-question interview series from the Make Room email newsletter. Each edition features a conversation with a peer in the national security community to learn about their expertise and experience in the sector.

Rashad Nimr is an international affairs professional with a track record of engaging high-level stakeholders across governments, multilateral organizations, and civil society. He most recently was a Crisis, Stabilization and Governance Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The views expressed are those of the author.

1. Development and aid are facing a lot of uncertainty right now. What advice do you have for people still trying to break into the field?

A very timely question. It’s important to begin with the acknowledgement that development and humanitarian assistance are too important of efforts to go away in their entirety. The model that we have grown accustomed to as an international community is rapidly changing–that is, bilateral donors leading the way to fund discrete projects or themes in global development. With the dismantling of USAID alongside rollbacks in funding from other major donors, there are big changes on the horizon for all of us as we figure out how best to coexist in this world. But a change doesn’t necessitate an end. So, it is important that we all continue to advocate for the role of foreign assistance in national security conversations, and continue to emphasize the imperative of working toward global security to address our national vulnerabilities. Our world is too interconnected for this work to stop–and I truly believe that it won’t. But, having said that, it may take some time to come back in an easily accessible way for those interested in breaking in.

For individuals who care deeply about the world and want to do good in it, my advice is to focus on the sectors and skills you want to develop in yourself. Development and humanitarian assistance work is not a skill on its own–ask yourself what your expertise should be as we navigate into the unknown. Do I want to be an expert on food security and agricultural practices? Do I want to be an expert on settlements and shelters? Do I want to focus on improving health systems or conserving biodiversity? And then, cross-pollinate that expertise with the skills you want to shape your career. That could be program management, advocacy, operations, training, or thought leadership, among others. Remember, always, that domestic work can always be applied internationally and vice versa, even if the vernacular used may be different.

2. What’s one thing that’s kept you grounded in public service, even when the path isn’t always clear?

For me, my grounding in a career that serves the public good reflects the reasons that I was drawn to this work in the first place. I believe in the imperative to leave this world better than how we found it. Working in public service roles has allowed me to be an active participant in making sure that the actions of our government do the most good they can for a wide range of communities.

Those who know me well know that I have never been drawn to the harder sides of national security. Having roots in the Middle East and family still there has meant that my perspective on the efficacy of military intervention may be different than many of my colleagues in the national security world. It’s not that concepts like military readiness, deterrence, and capability are not important, but that other avenues to address conflict easily get overlooked. And so, this is why I am so passionate about emphasizing the role of foreign assistance. As an evidence-based,

long-term solution, foreign assistance especially through development and humanitarian aid can proactively address the root causes of violent conflict. Inherently, this modality can help cut the need for military intervention saving American lives and lives of those who would be affected by war. It can also mitigate grievances that promote violent extremism, reduce the economic drivers that necessitate transnational organized crime, and reduce the harms caused by global threats like disease outbreak, further protecting Americans.

I am resolute in my opinion that global security is national security. Focusing on development and humanitarian issues is a cost effective, evidence-based approach to promoting this security–alongside other interventions, of course–that reduces net harm to both people and our planet. Focusing on this as my own personal theory of change keeps me grounded in the public good I continue to fight for in our national security architecture.

3. What kind of work are you most excited to do next?

As my tenure with USAID comes to an end due to its dismantlement, I have no choice but to keep my sights set ahead. Even at a time that may feel apocalyptic for my industry, there is a lot that excites me to get to work on moving forward. The reality is, we are facing a time of significant transnational and existential threats. Whether that be a deteriorating climate, disease outbreaks, unregulated technological advancements, sustained nuclear proliferation, or persistent global inequality, the list goes on. I am excited to continue to work on these massive issues and find innovative ways to continue doing as much good as possible, driving impact and efficiency in the process. Promoting global cooperation in the face of increasing isolationism will be paramount. Beginning this process of forging these new alliances, relationships, and movements gives me hope.

I am also deeply curious to see how international development bounces back–hopefully allowing for power to be further diffused toward local ownership. Multilateralism was a critical foundation for the industry, but often failed to allow those closest to the programs to effectively participate. In fact, the aid industry has always been critiqued for fueling dependency while being too influenced by the political agendas of the donor countries. It’ll be interesting to see how a new architecture will be built, and which players may be at the helm. I am excited to see where this can lead.

Ultimately, it can be hard to feel hopeful at this particular time as a development practitioner. But, during this time, it is important to recognize the complexity of our world and the opportunities to continue to work in it. The ultimate goal remains. I look forward to continuing the fight for a better, safer, and more equitable world.