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America’s Private-Capital Advantage – How to Outcompete Chinese State Capitalism
America’s Private-Capital Advantage – How to Outcompete Chinese State Capitalism
Learn MoreHarnessing Development Aid: A Smarter Path to US Security and Economic Growth
Harnessing Development Aid: A Smarter Path to US Security and Economic Growth
A small order with big implications was included in President Trump’s flurry of first-day actions: —the decision to suspend foreign aid until further review. The move reflects the lack of appetite in the United States for spending money abroad, a fact laid bare by last year’s much-delayed assistance to Ukraine. More broadly, President Trump’s order […]
Learn MoreAI Diplomacy in a Divided World: Why Trust Will Define the Digital Future
AI Diplomacy in a Divided World: Why Trust Will Define the Digital Future
Learn MoreAdvancing Both National Security and Economic Diplomacy in the Developing World
Advancing Both National Security and Economic Diplomacy in the Developing World
The strategic competition between the US and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is multifaceted. Actions taken to achieve a policy goal in one arena can have disadvantages relative to other strategic priorities. This is the dilemma the US faces as it increases tariffs and restricts trade and outward investment to bolster economic and national […]
Learn More360° View of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
360° View of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
Ten Reasons Why the US Should Renew AGOA Mark Kennedy Director, Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition It would be a shame to simply renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). There are at least 10 reasons why the US should expand trade more robustly with the continent. It is economically good for the US. […]
Learn MoreInfrastructure That Binds and Builds Power
Infrastructure defines power—linking allies, securing chokepoints, and enabling the flow of goods, energy, and data. The goal: systems that empower, not entrap.
Subcategories
- Strategic Finance Tools
- Mobility and Trade Infrastructure
- Strategic Inputs Infrastructure
- Secure Digital Infrastructure
- Empowering Energy Infrastructure
Development That Delivers Opportunity
Development explores how institutions, finance, and behavior shape opportunity and growth. It spans microfinance, migration, public services, and political accountability—bringing empirical rigor to real-world challenges.
Subcategories
- Financial Inclusion and Credit Access
- Political Institutions and Development Outcomes
- Migration, Identity, and Transnational Networks
- Public Services and Accountability
- Long-run Growth and Historical Legacies
Evidence-Based Practice in Development Policy
Effective development policy must be grounded in rigorous evidence, not assumptions. Translating research into actionable strategies that work in real-world contexts helps governments, institutions, and communities make informed decisions that deliver measurable and lasting impact.
Financial Access in a Growing World
Access to affordable, reliable financial services is a cornerstone of inclusive development. As economies grow and markets evolve, millions remain underserved or excluded from formal financial systems, limiting their ability to invest, manage risk, and build resilience. This pillar examines how innovations in finance—from digital banking to microcredit—can close access gaps, adapt to shifting global conditions, and ensure that economic growth benefits individuals and communities at every level.