US Opinion and Commentary

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Extras: Libya and Democracy

Posted April 13th, 2016 at 4:58 pm (UTC-4)
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Little by little, Libya’s local municipalities are building democratic institutions five years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime

How Feeding Syrians Feeds the War

Posted February 12th, 2016 at 12:58 pm (UTC-4)
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Herein lies the crux of the problem for USAID and other humanitarian organizations. Their attempts to fulfill short-term needs can create patterns of dependence and conflict that worsen the ongoing war and its aftermath. If public services are indeed crucial for popular support, the key question becomes: To whom exactly is USAID channeling support?

An Appeal for More Support for Youth Civic Engagement

Posted August 13th, 2015 at 1:04 pm (UTC-4)
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Since 2012, Ana Usharek — which means “I Participate” in Arabic — has brought together more than 11,000 young people across Jordan to take a leading role in promoting civic participation and engaging with government. The program, jointly run by USAID and the National Democratic Institute, aims to support young people the chance to have constructive conversations about important policy issues.

The Afghan War and the Quarterly Report on Freedom’s Sentinel

Posted August 10th, 2015 at 9:33 am (UTC-4)
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As for the military content, the report serves no known purpose and has almost no meaningful content. The Lead Inspector General for Overseas Contingency Operations does not come close to dealing with any of the issues and problems raised in the Department of Defense’s semi-annual report on the war    

Ebola Doesn’t Disappear at Zero and Neither Will We

Posted June 24th, 2015 at 10:42 am (UTC-4)
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US agency remains engaged in Africa’s Ebola-affected countries even as case numbers drop and the story fades from the media. USAID says its goal is getting to zero Ebola cases, and helping governments be better prepared to stop future outbreaks from spiralling into full-fledged epidemics.