PSC
Reinvigorating Development as a National Security Instrument Integrating development into national security policy and decision making represents a critical and – to date – underutilized instrument. For numerous reasons, there is a unique opportunity to chart a new course and leverage this essential tool for a multiplicity of reasons and benefits. The current administration is charting a new course in foreign policy and national security, revitalizing American engagement and international cooperation. One aspect of this new approach that clearly stands out is the refresh of international development as an arm of US foreign policy and its systematic integration into national security decision-making and policy. In the post-COVID world and in light of the twin crises of health and economics, the US has a unique opportunity to reshape its influence, improve its PR, and make sustainable and inclusive improvements to health and economic growth around the world. A coherent and fully integrated policy will prioritize new resources for diplomacy and development as the most effective and efficient option for national security and will also yield the most powerful results, thereby having a multifaceted impact in terms of assisting people around the world while also 10
enhancing our visibility and elevating our seemingly increased presence and activism. This approach will pack a dual punch as foreign assistance and foreign policy maximize the impact of each dollar and contribute to national security in very concrete ways. This will be facilitated by a growing number of developmentrelated agencies, such as the Developmental Finance Corporation (DFC), in addition to USAID and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) as well as the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA.) This additional muscle enables more projects with greater participation by the local population than ever before. Particularly beneficial is a renewed commitment by the Biden administration for private sector partnership in development investment is the opportunity to showcase the US private sector and the unique way it can promote sustainable development in fragile regions.
