•House Foreign Affairs Committee To Consider Global Health Measures [Kaiser]
•Rep. Waxman Releases Drafts of Global Health Report Reportedly Blocked by Bush Administration Official [Kaiser]
•China Bans Advocates From Holding Meeting on Rights of People Living With HIV/AIDS, Organizer Says [Kaiser]
•Draft Reflects Tensions At HHS [WP]
•Sunday Times Examines Development of Malaria Treatment System Artimist [Kaiser]
•House Passes Farm Bill, Thumbs Its Nose at Poorest Trading Partners and WTO [CGD]
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Global Health Policy Steel Cage Match: The U.S. Surgeon General vs. the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Global Health Affairs
The Washington Post ran a story on the front page of Sunday's paper about a Bush political appointee blocking a report by then-Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona that called on Americans to help tackle global health problems. The report, entitled "Call to Action on Global Health," was blocked because it did not "promote the administration's policy accomplishments" according to the article. The political appointee in question is William R. Steiger, the director of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Global Health Affairs. Mr. Steiger, according to the article, is a "a specialist in education and a scholar of Latin American history whose family has long ties to President Bush and Vice President Cheney" and is "without any background or expertise in medicine or public health."
The report touches on many of the issues in global health and how America could be working towards improving health worldwide. More importantly, however, is that the report examined how global health problems are linked to violence and social ills and also how these public health issues impact America's security, a topic which is a core focus of Bush administration policy. However, the administration's discomfort with some aspects of the report led to each side fighting tooth and nail over this report, with the surgeon general and medical experts fighting to have it released, while the administration, and specifically Steiger, fought to keep it under wraps claiming that "sloppy work, poor analysis, and a lack of scientfic rigor" delayed the release of the report. Steiger also said in a statement that the report addressing global challenges to health ought to "at least let Americans know what their generosity is already doing in helping to solve those challenges."
While the report addressed health topics that are a priority in the Bush administration (i.e. HIV/AIDS and malaria), it also called for more action on such issues as the international tobacco treaty and including global health as an element of US foreign policy. These latter two matters are considered quite politically sensitive, contributing to the administration's unease with the report. Furthermore, the article notes that Steiger was more concerned with making the Office a political arm rather than an office operating with a clear public health focus. According to Richard Walling, a former career official in the global health office, Steiger always operated with his "his political hat on" and that "[w]hat he was looking for, and in general what he was always looking for, was, 'How do we promote the policies and the programs of the administration?'"
Though the Bush administration has indeed provided a great deal of funding for certain global health issues, the selectivity towards certain global health issues that administration officials are displaying is of concern. As the draft of the report noted, certain diseases and the social ills that accompany them were once limited to remote parts of the world, but in the era of globalization, they can easily spread to the most developed of nations. The reasons for the blocking of the report are specious at best and it should be pointed out that improving global health could have a positive impact on the administration's goal of "securing the homeland." Furthermore, the improvement of global health abroad will result in healthier populations, healthier workforces, and most importantly, healthier economic partners for the United States. According to an Economist article from July 5th, the private sector is already taking steps to improve global health because of the costs of an unhealthy workforce. Large local and multinational firms are promoting anti-AIDS and anti-malaria programs for their workforces in Africa and Asia, for example, and other private sector efforts promote sustainability in the countries they work in. Certainly, some aspect of this approach towards improving global health must appeal to the Bush administration.
Fortunately, with the publicity this story from the Washington Post is receiving, the message of the report is getting out there. But, like almost anything in Washington, it is not without controversy.
The report touches on many of the issues in global health and how America could be working towards improving health worldwide. More importantly, however, is that the report examined how global health problems are linked to violence and social ills and also how these public health issues impact America's security, a topic which is a core focus of Bush administration policy. However, the administration's discomfort with some aspects of the report led to each side fighting tooth and nail over this report, with the surgeon general and medical experts fighting to have it released, while the administration, and specifically Steiger, fought to keep it under wraps claiming that "sloppy work, poor analysis, and a lack of scientfic rigor" delayed the release of the report. Steiger also said in a statement that the report addressing global challenges to health ought to "at least let Americans know what their generosity is already doing in helping to solve those challenges."
While the report addressed health topics that are a priority in the Bush administration (i.e. HIV/AIDS and malaria), it also called for more action on such issues as the international tobacco treaty and including global health as an element of US foreign policy. These latter two matters are considered quite politically sensitive, contributing to the administration's unease with the report. Furthermore, the article notes that Steiger was more concerned with making the Office a political arm rather than an office operating with a clear public health focus. According to Richard Walling, a former career official in the global health office, Steiger always operated with his "his political hat on" and that "[w]hat he was looking for, and in general what he was always looking for, was, 'How do we promote the policies and the programs of the administration?'"
Though the Bush administration has indeed provided a great deal of funding for certain global health issues, the selectivity towards certain global health issues that administration officials are displaying is of concern. As the draft of the report noted, certain diseases and the social ills that accompany them were once limited to remote parts of the world, but in the era of globalization, they can easily spread to the most developed of nations. The reasons for the blocking of the report are specious at best and it should be pointed out that improving global health could have a positive impact on the administration's goal of "securing the homeland." Furthermore, the improvement of global health abroad will result in healthier populations, healthier workforces, and most importantly, healthier economic partners for the United States. According to an Economist article from July 5th, the private sector is already taking steps to improve global health because of the costs of an unhealthy workforce. Large local and multinational firms are promoting anti-AIDS and anti-malaria programs for their workforces in Africa and Asia, for example, and other private sector efforts promote sustainability in the countries they work in. Certainly, some aspect of this approach towards improving global health must appeal to the Bush administration.
Fortunately, with the publicity this story from the Washington Post is receiving, the message of the report is getting out there. But, like almost anything in Washington, it is not without controversy.
Chain of Strength's First Major Props!
Newslinks - July 30th, 2007
•Bush Aide Blocked Report; Global Health Draft In 2006 Rejected for Not Being Political [WP]
•China Orders Hotels, Other Venues To Provide Condoms, Education Material in Effort To Fight Spread of HIV [Kaiser]
•WHO To Advocate for ITN Price Reduction [Kaiser]
•TB Vaccine Trial Begins in South Africa [Kaiser]
•Is there equality in inequality? Scope and limits of affirmative actions [Eldis]
•Overcoming one of the greatest environmental challenges of our times: re-thinking policies to cope with desertification [Eldis]
•Impact of trade liberalization on agriculture in the Near East and North Africa [Eldis]
•Quiet. Libya Has an AIDS Problem. [NYT]
•More money than sense (July 5th, 2007) [The Economist]
•China Orders Hotels, Other Venues To Provide Condoms, Education Material in Effort To Fight Spread of HIV [Kaiser]
•WHO To Advocate for ITN Price Reduction [Kaiser]
•TB Vaccine Trial Begins in South Africa [Kaiser]
•Is there equality in inequality? Scope and limits of affirmative actions [Eldis]
•Overcoming one of the greatest environmental challenges of our times: re-thinking policies to cope with desertification [Eldis]
•Impact of trade liberalization on agriculture in the Near East and North Africa [Eldis]
•Quiet. Libya Has an AIDS Problem. [NYT]
•More money than sense (July 5th, 2007) [The Economist]
Friday, July 27, 2007
Newslinks - July 27, 2007
Apologies for the delay of the newslinks today. Some administrative affairs got the best of your blogger for the better part of the day.
•Libya asks Arab League to cut Bulgaria ties: report [Reuters]
•U.S. Foreign Assistance Triumvirate Confirms Bolder Steps Needed; Fore Confirmation Uncertain [CGD]
•Unlicensed Drug Importers Selling Antiretrovirals in Zimbabwe, Medicines Control Authority Says [Kaiser]
•Indian Businesses Would Gain From Participating in Early Interventions To Prevent HIV, World Bank Report Says [Kaiser]
•Africa's Great Lakes Region Ministers Propose Joint Initiative To Address HIV/AIDS Among Member Nations [Kaiser]
•Former U.S. President Clinton Launches Subsidized ACT Program in Tanzania [Kaiser]
•Number of Malaria Cases in Afghanistan Likely Will Increase in 2007, Health Officials Say [Kaiser]
•Lack of DDT Contributing to Rise in Malaria in Some Parts of Africa, Editorial Says [Kaiser]
•WHO Panel Meets To Discuss Drug-Resistant TB Diagnostics [Kaiser]
•People With TB Should Be More Involved in Treatment Decisions, Study Says [Kaiser]
•Making aid accountable and effective: the challenge for the Third High Level Forum on aid effectiveness [Eldis]
•Remittances during crises: implications for humanitarian response [Eldis]
•Libya asks Arab League to cut Bulgaria ties: report [Reuters]
•U.S. Foreign Assistance Triumvirate Confirms Bolder Steps Needed; Fore Confirmation Uncertain [CGD]
•Unlicensed Drug Importers Selling Antiretrovirals in Zimbabwe, Medicines Control Authority Says [Kaiser]
•Indian Businesses Would Gain From Participating in Early Interventions To Prevent HIV, World Bank Report Says [Kaiser]
•Africa's Great Lakes Region Ministers Propose Joint Initiative To Address HIV/AIDS Among Member Nations [Kaiser]
•Former U.S. President Clinton Launches Subsidized ACT Program in Tanzania [Kaiser]
•Number of Malaria Cases in Afghanistan Likely Will Increase in 2007, Health Officials Say [Kaiser]
•Lack of DDT Contributing to Rise in Malaria in Some Parts of Africa, Editorial Says [Kaiser]
•WHO Panel Meets To Discuss Drug-Resistant TB Diagnostics [Kaiser]
•People With TB Should Be More Involved in Treatment Decisions, Study Says [Kaiser]
•Making aid accountable and effective: the challenge for the Third High Level Forum on aid effectiveness [Eldis]
•Remittances during crises: implications for humanitarian response [Eldis]
Thursday, July 26, 2007
All Aboard the Red Ribbon Express
In case you missed it in the newslinks earlier, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is in the final planning stages for a seven-coach train that will travel throughout the country to some 60,000 rural villages to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among youth. The Red Ribbon Express will be equipped with medical equipment, facilities for counseling, examination and treatment, rest rooms, a kitchen, and an auditorium. The train plans to stop at 180 stations throughout the country for the next year, stopping at each station for a few days at a time to head into the rural areas to educate residents about the disease, as well as providing examination and treatment.
While it remains to be seen what impact the Red Ribbon Express will have, this is a very interesting method of tackling the HIV/AIDS problem in rural areas on such a large scale. The issue of access to treatment and care has always been a major focal point in the developing world and the idea of going to the patients rather than having them come to the clinic is one that will, hopefully, gain traction.
Link: Indian Ministry Launches Nationwide Train Trip To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Youth in Rural Villages [Kaiser]
While it remains to be seen what impact the Red Ribbon Express will have, this is a very interesting method of tackling the HIV/AIDS problem in rural areas on such a large scale. The issue of access to treatment and care has always been a major focal point in the developing world and the idea of going to the patients rather than having them come to the clinic is one that will, hopefully, gain traction.
Link: Indian Ministry Launches Nationwide Train Trip To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Youth in Rural Villages [Kaiser]
Album of the Day - July 26th, 2007
JUSTICE - †
House music meets rock n'roll bombast and attitude in this debut album from French electro-house duo JUSTICE. I think it is rare to find in dance music a record that will make dance non-stop and also think "Good Lord, these are some mean riffs."
Check out the band at their official Myspace page — JUSTICE
Newslinks - July 26, 2007
•Libya protests over pardons for HIV medics [Reuters]
•Clinical Data Show Pfizer's Antiretroviral Maraviroc Reduces HIV Viral Loads Among Treatment-Naive People, Company Says [Kaiser]
•More People in Lebanon at Risk of HIV Despite Country's Prevention Campaign, Health Official Says [Kaiser]
•Indian Ministry Launches Nationwide Train Trip To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Youth in Rural Villages [Kaiser]
•World Briefing | Australia: AIDS Spreading Faster Than Treatment [NYT]
•HIV positive women and drug and alcohol use [Eldis]
•Integration between sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS and Malaria: opportunities and strategic options for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria [Eldis]
•Antiretroviral therapy in resource-poor settings: decreasing barriers to access and promoting adherence [Eldis]
•Clinical Data Show Pfizer's Antiretroviral Maraviroc Reduces HIV Viral Loads Among Treatment-Naive People, Company Says [Kaiser]
•More People in Lebanon at Risk of HIV Despite Country's Prevention Campaign, Health Official Says [Kaiser]
•Indian Ministry Launches Nationwide Train Trip To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Youth in Rural Villages [Kaiser]
•World Briefing | Australia: AIDS Spreading Faster Than Treatment [NYT]
•HIV positive women and drug and alcohol use [Eldis]
•Integration between sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS and Malaria: opportunities and strategic options for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria [Eldis]
•Antiretroviral therapy in resource-poor settings: decreasing barriers to access and promoting adherence [Eldis]
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Administrative Notice - Yahoo! Pipes is 95% Ready To Go!
First of all, to any visitors from the Global Health Fellows Program networking event, greetings! Thank you for visiting my humble site and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.
But, more importantly, I have finally gotten a good RSS aggregator going thanks to Yahoo's Pipes application, which I had mentioned before. There are still a number of tweaks to be given to the feed generator here and there so that it will be getting the greatest number of useful and interesting links possible. But, the Newslinks will return tommorrow, new and improved, thanks to Pipes!
Cheers!
But, more importantly, I have finally gotten a good RSS aggregator going thanks to Yahoo's Pipes application, which I had mentioned before. There are still a number of tweaks to be given to the feed generator here and there so that it will be getting the greatest number of useful and interesting links possible. But, the Newslinks will return tommorrow, new and improved, thanks to Pipes!
Cheers!
As if you needed another reason to love The Onion
The Center for Global Development posted an article from The Onion last month which looked at President Bush's request for PEPFAR's budget to be raised to $30 billion when it comes up for reauthorization. The Onion envisioned the following breakdown of the funds:
Looks like "The Onion" has taken on a double meaning here because I want to laugh and cry at the same time...
Link: USG Funding for AIDS Research is No Laughing Matter [CGD]
•$10 billion – Programs to get people off AIDS and back to workAccording to the CGD, The Onion actually overestimated how much of PEPFAR's budget would be going to AIDS vaccine research by $1,137.62. That's right: zero dollars going towards AIDS vaccine research. Furthermore they note that "a recent recommendation from the outgoing Director of Foreign Assistance would reportedly cut USAID support for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative entirely - down from $29m in FY07 - as well as for many other critical research efforts to develop vaccines, drugs and microbicides for developing country diseases."
•$30 million – Equipping future Black Hawks with crates of pamphlets and condoms, so next time won't be a total loss
•$1.5 billion – Installing particularly vicious anti-AIDS dictator in Uganda
•$17 million – Global campaign to promote dry humping
•$1,137.62 – AIDS-vaccine research
•$8.2 billion – Guns to shoot AIDS with
•$15 billion – Faith-based initiatives
•$.41 – Strongly worded letter to AIDS
•$14.80 – Nameplate for AIDS czar
Looks like "The Onion" has taken on a double meaning here because I want to laugh and cry at the same time...
Link: USG Funding for AIDS Research is No Laughing Matter [CGD]
Better Know Your (Music) History: Where Does The Title For This Blog Come From?
I'm sure my one reader probably asked that at upon stumbling across this site when looking for something more important *cough*stupid youtube videos*cough. But for those of you who are legitimately curious, I drew inspiration for the title from the late 80s/early 90s straight-edge hardcore band CHAIN OF STRENGTH.
While I appreciate hardcore, I don't follow the scene as avidly as my friend Jordan, who has educated many a time on some of the great bands in that scene. I should also point out I am not straight-edge, but I respect some of the values and beliefs that straight-edge embodies, particularly the emphasis on strength through unity and personal strength. I feel that these beliefs should be reflected in this blog and that it will, hopefully, inspire my readership.
But why Chain of Strength? The question should be "why not?" The name of the band carries a certain power and ideal behind it that I believe will be reflected in these pages over time and it is my hope that I do the name justice.
In the meantime, check out the band's official Myspace page — CHAIN OF STRENGTH
While I appreciate hardcore, I don't follow the scene as avidly as my friend Jordan, who has educated many a time on some of the great bands in that scene. I should also point out I am not straight-edge, but I respect some of the values and beliefs that straight-edge embodies, particularly the emphasis on strength through unity and personal strength. I feel that these beliefs should be reflected in this blog and that it will, hopefully, inspire my readership.
But why Chain of Strength? The question should be "why not?" The name of the band carries a certain power and ideal behind it that I believe will be reflected in these pages over time and it is my hope that I do the name justice.
In the meantime, check out the band's official Myspace page — CHAIN OF STRENGTH
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Awesome Website Alert! - Eldis
Courtesy of my friend Christina, thanks to her time spent at the University of Sussex, comes this great website — Eldis.org. Eldis is a website that is geared towards "sharing the best in development policy, practice and research" and is a part of the knowledge services from the Institute of Development Studies.
The site is packed with information and, most notably, a number of RSS feeds. So, look for stories from Eldis to start popping up in the daily newslinks.
The site is packed with information and, most notably, a number of RSS feeds. So, look for stories from Eldis to start popping up in the daily newslinks.
Quick Technical Update
Apologies for the limited updates today, but I've been busy with some administrative matters on the home front and, more related to the blog, have been working on getting a more comprehensive source of development news for the blog. I've been working with the fantastic Yahoo! Pipes web application, which is a very powerful aggregating tool and for those of you who are interested in creating a personal RSS feed for yourself or your blog, I highly recommend you check it out.
Hopefully, I'll have the aggregator up and running tommorrow to get a more comprehensive newslinks section up and running.
Hopefully, I'll have the aggregator up and running tommorrow to get a more comprehensive newslinks section up and running.
Newslinks - July 24th, 2007
•HIV Medics Freed After EU-Libya Deal Struck; Move Seen As Another Step by Qaddafi Towards Normalizing Relations With West [Guardian, WP]
•Sens. Obama, Mendendez Probe AID Pick's Diversity Record (From June 7th, 2007) [WP]
•US Is Seen in Iraq Until At Least '09 [NYT]
•TB Tests Show Promise, But Flaws Limit Progress [NYT]
•Article Examines U.S. Policy Requiring Groups That Receive HIV/AIDS Funding To Condemn Commercial Sex Work [Kaiser]
•Biggest Challenge in Fight Against HIV/AIDS Is Shortage of Health Workers in Developing Countries, World Bank Official Says [Kaiser]
• Male Circumcision, New Antiretrovirals, Genetic Engineering Most Promising HIV Prevention, Treatment Methods, Conference Delegates Say [Kaiser]
•Sens. Obama, Mendendez Probe AID Pick's Diversity Record (From June 7th, 2007) [WP]
•US Is Seen in Iraq Until At Least '09 [NYT]
•TB Tests Show Promise, But Flaws Limit Progress [NYT]
•Article Examines U.S. Policy Requiring Groups That Receive HIV/AIDS Funding To Condemn Commercial Sex Work [Kaiser]
•Biggest Challenge in Fight Against HIV/AIDS Is Shortage of Health Workers in Developing Countries, World Bank Official Says [Kaiser]
• Male Circumcision, New Antiretrovirals, Genetic Engineering Most Promising HIV Prevention, Treatment Methods, Conference Delegates Say [Kaiser]
Monday, July 23, 2007
Listen to Music! - July 23rd, 2007
Some links to songs for you guys to check out:
BARONESS - The Birthing - From the upcoming record Red Album
HIGH ON FIRE - Rumors of War - From the upcoming record Death Is This Communion
COLISEUM - No Benefit and The Fate Of Men - From the upcoming record No Salvation
JUSTICE - D.A.N.C.E. and Waters Of Nazareth - From the record †
BARONESS - The Birthing - From the upcoming record Red Album
HIGH ON FIRE - Rumors of War - From the upcoming record Death Is This Communion
COLISEUM - No Benefit and The Fate Of Men - From the upcoming record No Salvation
JUSTICE - D.A.N.C.E. and Waters Of Nazareth - From the record †
"Why Do They Hate Us?" - A Look At The Legacy Of US Foreign Policy In Our Current Geopolitical Climate
Wow, how is that for a wonky headline?
Nevertheless, The Washington Post had an interesting article in yesterday's edition written by novelist Mohsin Hamid. Entitled "Why Do They Hate Us?", the article examined why it appears that the Muslim world hates America. Hamid contends that one of the primary reasons is America's foreign policy legacy in the Muslim world, but he also believes that America doesn't have to inspire such virulent hatred. Hamid believes that Americans should educate themselves from a young age about their country's foreign policy history and to hold their government accountable for their actions abroad and to ensure that the United States' foreign policy reflects the TRUE values of its citizens.
But, rather than do disservice to the article, I'll end my paraphrasing and allow you to read the article and form your own thoughts.
However, before you run away to read the article, there was something that really jumped out at me at the beginning of the article. When Hamid was discussing the United States' foreign policy legacy as a reason for anti-Americanism abroad, he made the following point:
Disclosure: I am a first-generation Greek-American and my parents have done a pretty great job of educating me about Greek history, both ancient and modern. And it is for that reason that the quote above really struck me. My parents grew up in one of the most unstable periods of Greek history. Both of them were born during the German occupation of Greece and they lived through the Greek Civil War, the second reign of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (say that 3 times fast), and then a US-backed junta.
The junta is considered a particularly dark period for Greece, but also for Cyprus, because it is due to their intervention in Cypriot political matters that the island was eventually invaded by Turkey. The junta sponsored a coup against the then-president Archbishop Makarios III, who was a vocal proponent of Cypriot independence. However, the actions of the Greek junta led the Turkish government to believe that their Turkish-Cypriot countrymen were in danger now and they launched the invasion of the island.
To bring this back to the Hamid article, the Raw Story recently published an article that confirms
former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's support of Turkey and their invasion of the island. Like Hamid stated, this is probably a minor footnote in the US' history of foreign affairs, but for Greece and Cyprus, this is a huge part of the modern history of both of these nations. I remember being in Greece during the 30th anniversary of the invasion of the island, and newspapers were filled with retrospectives and one particular newspaper had a long article detailing Kissinger's role in the invasion of the island.
So, clearly, I think many Americans, including my friends, would be surprised to hear about events like these, and Hamid makes an excellent point about how the education on US foreign policy should begin at a young age.
How does this relate to international development, though? Well, I think it has an even greater impact than one might think. USAID and US foreign aid as a whole is supposed to be the "benevolent" arm of US foreign policy and it should reflect the values of the taxpayer and not a small group of ideologues. The opinions in Hamid's article could certainly be tied back to the article regarding the criticisms of US foreign aid that the Post ran on Sunday and it remains to be seen if Congress and the taxpayers will demand accountability from the current administration and future ones.
Nevertheless, The Washington Post had an interesting article in yesterday's edition written by novelist Mohsin Hamid. Entitled "Why Do They Hate Us?", the article examined why it appears that the Muslim world hates America. Hamid contends that one of the primary reasons is America's foreign policy legacy in the Muslim world, but he also believes that America doesn't have to inspire such virulent hatred. Hamid believes that Americans should educate themselves from a young age about their country's foreign policy history and to hold their government accountable for their actions abroad and to ensure that the United States' foreign policy reflects the TRUE values of its citizens.
But, rather than do disservice to the article, I'll end my paraphrasing and allow you to read the article and form your own thoughts.
However, before you run away to read the article, there was something that really jumped out at me at the beginning of the article. When Hamid was discussing the United States' foreign policy legacy as a reason for anti-Americanism abroad, he made the following point:
These policies are unknown to most Americans. They form only minor footnotes in U.S. history. But they are the chapter titles of the histories of other countries, where they have had enormous consequences.
Disclosure: I am a first-generation Greek-American and my parents have done a pretty great job of educating me about Greek history, both ancient and modern. And it is for that reason that the quote above really struck me. My parents grew up in one of the most unstable periods of Greek history. Both of them were born during the German occupation of Greece and they lived through the Greek Civil War, the second reign of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (say that 3 times fast), and then a US-backed junta.
The junta is considered a particularly dark period for Greece, but also for Cyprus, because it is due to their intervention in Cypriot political matters that the island was eventually invaded by Turkey. The junta sponsored a coup against the then-president Archbishop Makarios III, who was a vocal proponent of Cypriot independence. However, the actions of the Greek junta led the Turkish government to believe that their Turkish-Cypriot countrymen were in danger now and they launched the invasion of the island.
To bring this back to the Hamid article, the Raw Story recently published an article that confirms
former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's support of Turkey and their invasion of the island. Like Hamid stated, this is probably a minor footnote in the US' history of foreign affairs, but for Greece and Cyprus, this is a huge part of the modern history of both of these nations. I remember being in Greece during the 30th anniversary of the invasion of the island, and newspapers were filled with retrospectives and one particular newspaper had a long article detailing Kissinger's role in the invasion of the island.
So, clearly, I think many Americans, including my friends, would be surprised to hear about events like these, and Hamid makes an excellent point about how the education on US foreign policy should begin at a young age.
How does this relate to international development, though? Well, I think it has an even greater impact than one might think. USAID and US foreign aid as a whole is supposed to be the "benevolent" arm of US foreign policy and it should reflect the values of the taxpayer and not a small group of ideologues. The opinions in Hamid's article could certainly be tied back to the article regarding the criticisms of US foreign aid that the Post ran on Sunday and it remains to be seen if Congress and the taxpayers will demand accountability from the current administration and future ones.
The Washington Post Examines The Current US Foreign Aid System
As I mentioned in brief over the weekend, the Washington Post currently has a story that examines the criticism the United States' foreign aid system has recently received from Congress and foreign aid groups. The main criticism is that rather than improving the system and implementing transparent processes, that the old "opaque" system has been replaced by another. So, what has been happening is that a small group of individuals have decided how the money is distributed, to which countries (i.e. the "priority" countries), and who controls the coffers.
After Andrew Natsios resigned as Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in December 2005, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that USAID would be absorbed more directly under her authority and a newly created Director of Foreign Assistance. Who was the choice for that newly minted position? Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, former CEO of Eli Lilly and Co., former head of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and major proponent of abstinence programming as a method of AIDS prevention.
Wait, why is that name familiar? Oh right.
So, clearly, the administration had its abstinence priorities straight!
Well, ironies aside, the article notes some more disconcerting things about the current foreign aid system. Of the $23 billion budgeted for foreign aid, the majority goes to a handful of "key countries," while the remaining $3 billion is left for 120 countries to fight over. Also mentioned is how India will be losing 35% of its aid in the coming year because foreign aid officials believe the country's fast-growing economy allows it to be a considered an "emerging" economy, justifying the reduction in aid. Sure, India has a fast-growing economy, but will that solve all its problems?
The article so mentions in addition to the corporate-style indicators implemented by Tobias and Rice, that:
This particular move was considered by some congressional officials to be nothing more than a power grab by the State Department. Additionally, the use of corporate-esque standards to measure objectives such as "peace and security" or "governing justly and democratically" for aid programs "shows how reducing poverty was not front and center in their minds" according to Center for Global Development senior fellow Steve Radelet. Furthermore, opinions from professionals who work in and with knowledge of the field were "all but ignored" and that the emphasis is falling on a more-centralized, Washington-based decision-making process.
So, what is this article foreshadowing? Most likely a debate over the administration's approach to foreign aid during tommorrow's confirmation hearings of Henrietta H. Fore to become the next Director of Foreign Assistance.
If I may interject some opinion, the current approach to foreign assistance appears to resemble very much the administration's approach to, well...everything. Everything is done with little to no transparency and requests for transparency are more often than not, shrugged off. When such a great amount of your tax dollars are being designated to foreign aid, you have every right to be able to know where it is going and if it is being used effectively and for a good purpose.
After Andrew Natsios resigned as Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in December 2005, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that USAID would be absorbed more directly under her authority and a newly created Director of Foreign Assistance. Who was the choice for that newly minted position? Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, former CEO of Eli Lilly and Co., former head of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and major proponent of abstinence programming as a method of AIDS prevention.
Wait, why is that name familiar? Oh right.
So, clearly, the administration had its abstinence priorities straight!
Well, ironies aside, the article notes some more disconcerting things about the current foreign aid system. Of the $23 billion budgeted for foreign aid, the majority goes to a handful of "key countries," while the remaining $3 billion is left for 120 countries to fight over. Also mentioned is how India will be losing 35% of its aid in the coming year because foreign aid officials believe the country's fast-growing economy allows it to be a considered an "emerging" economy, justifying the reduction in aid. Sure, India has a fast-growing economy, but will that solve all its problems?
The article so mentions in addition to the corporate-style indicators implemented by Tobias and Rice, that:
Long-term development aid often directed by Congress was cut by almost $500 million, or 31 percent, in fiscal year 2008, while "economic support" accounts focused on short-term geopolitical aims and subject to greater administration control were boosted $865 million, or 35 percent.
This particular move was considered by some congressional officials to be nothing more than a power grab by the State Department. Additionally, the use of corporate-esque standards to measure objectives such as "peace and security" or "governing justly and democratically" for aid programs "shows how reducing poverty was not front and center in their minds" according to Center for Global Development senior fellow Steve Radelet. Furthermore, opinions from professionals who work in and with knowledge of the field were "all but ignored" and that the emphasis is falling on a more-centralized, Washington-based decision-making process.
So, what is this article foreshadowing? Most likely a debate over the administration's approach to foreign aid during tommorrow's confirmation hearings of Henrietta H. Fore to become the next Director of Foreign Assistance.
If I may interject some opinion, the current approach to foreign assistance appears to resemble very much the administration's approach to, well...everything. Everything is done with little to no transparency and requests for transparency are more often than not, shrugged off. When such a great amount of your tax dollars are being designated to foreign aid, you have every right to be able to know where it is going and if it is being used effectively and for a good purpose.
Newslinks - July 23rd, 2007
•In Botswana, Step to Cut AIDS Proves a Formula for Disaster [WP]
•Low-Key Recall of AIDS Drug Hits World’s Poor [NYT]
•World Must Act To Achieve Commitments To Provide Universal Access to HIV/AIDS Treatment, Conference Delegates Say [Kaiser]
•European Advisory Panel Recommends Approval of Pfizer's Antiretroviral Maraviroc, Company Says [Kaiser]
•Officials Press on Libya AIDS Case [NYT/AP]
•Low-Key Recall of AIDS Drug Hits World’s Poor [NYT]
•World Must Act To Achieve Commitments To Provide Universal Access to HIV/AIDS Treatment, Conference Delegates Say [Kaiser]
•European Advisory Panel Recommends Approval of Pfizer's Antiretroviral Maraviroc, Company Says [Kaiser]
•Officials Press on Libya AIDS Case [NYT/AP]
Saturday, July 21, 2007
In Short: U.S. Foreign Aid Criticized
The Washington Post is currently running a story about how the Hill and other foreign aid groups have criticized the State Department's handling of foreign aid. I'll discuss the article more at length come Monday, but in the meantime, take a look at the article and feel free to leave comments below.
Hill, Aid Groups: One Opaque System Replaced Another [WP]
Hill, Aid Groups: One Opaque System Replaced Another [WP]
Friday, July 20, 2007
Album of the Day - July 20th, 2007
MUNICIPAL WASTE - The Art Of Partying
While everyone has been crowing about how the 80s are back, the latest effort from MUNICIPAL WASTE not only cements that, but also vomits on your shoes. IRON MAIDEN aficionados take note of the fantastic solo in the song "Beer Pressure."
Newslinks - July 20th, 2007
•Nelson Mandela Launches The Elders, Group Devoted To Tackling Global Crises [Guardian]
•Inter Press Service Examines HIV + Malaria Coinfection [Kaiser]
•Russia Pledges $20M to World Bank's Malaria Program [Kaiser]
•George Comstock, Leading TB Expert, Dies at 92 [Kaiser]
•A Washington Post article examines the Millenium Challenge [WP]
•Former President Clinton to Launch Hospital Project In Malawi, Promote HIV/AIDS Program In Zambia [Kaiser]
•Inter Press Service Examines HIV + Malaria Coinfection [Kaiser]
•Russia Pledges $20M to World Bank's Malaria Program [Kaiser]
•George Comstock, Leading TB Expert, Dies at 92 [Kaiser]
•A Washington Post article examines the Millenium Challenge [WP]
•Former President Clinton to Launch Hospital Project In Malawi, Promote HIV/AIDS Program In Zambia [Kaiser]
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Hello.
So...
Some of you may know me. Others, I'm meeting for the first time. In any case, welcome to the Chain of Strength blog, a new blogging venture through which I hope to bring a more youth-oriented look at the world of international development. The beauty of the world is in its diversity, whether it is through its cultures, languages, music, literature, and so on. Of course, one of my main passions is music and that will be playing a major role in this new internet adventure. However, I also have my Master's in Public Health from the George Washington University's School of Public Health & Health Services, and it was there that my interest in the world of international development was born.
I should note right up top that, no, this blog has nothing to do with the straight-edge hardcore band from Southern California. I merely believed that there was a certain power and urgency to the band's name and thought it was applicable here. But, hardcore fans, fear not — some of the beliefs present in hxc will turn up from time to time in this blog. But, for all other readers, you'll note the link to my Last.fm charts to your right and I hope you will take the time to check out some of the bands that I have been enjoying. You might find that what they believe in isn't really much different from what you believe in either.
On that note (no pun intended), I thank you for taking the time to come by this small corner of the "interweb" and I hope you'll continue to visit as the site grows and matures.
Until next time, ciao!
Some of you may know me. Others, I'm meeting for the first time. In any case, welcome to the Chain of Strength blog, a new blogging venture through which I hope to bring a more youth-oriented look at the world of international development. The beauty of the world is in its diversity, whether it is through its cultures, languages, music, literature, and so on. Of course, one of my main passions is music and that will be playing a major role in this new internet adventure. However, I also have my Master's in Public Health from the George Washington University's School of Public Health & Health Services, and it was there that my interest in the world of international development was born.
I should note right up top that, no, this blog has nothing to do with the straight-edge hardcore band from Southern California. I merely believed that there was a certain power and urgency to the band's name and thought it was applicable here. But, hardcore fans, fear not — some of the beliefs present in hxc will turn up from time to time in this blog. But, for all other readers, you'll note the link to my Last.fm charts to your right and I hope you will take the time to check out some of the bands that I have been enjoying. You might find that what they believe in isn't really much different from what you believe in either.
On that note (no pun intended), I thank you for taking the time to come by this small corner of the "interweb" and I hope you'll continue to visit as the site grows and matures.
Until next time, ciao!
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