Excerpts from the 2010 National Security Strategy
FrontLines - June 2010
In May, the Obama administration released its first National Security Strategy, a 60-page document
outlining goals and visions for the future in fields of security, diplomacy, and development. The
entire document is available online at: www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/national_security_strategy.pdf
Following are some excerpts from the NSS that detail the U.S. government views on development
issues.
Accelerate Sustainable Development
The growth of emerging
economies in recent decades
has lifted people out of poverty
and forged a more interconnected
and vibrant global
economy. But development
has been uneven, progress is
fragile, and too many of the
world’s people still live without
the benefits that development
affords. While some
countries are growing, many
lag behind—mired in insecurity,
constrained by poor governance,
or overly dependent
upon commodity prices. But
sustained economic progress
requires faster, sustainable,
and more inclusive development.
That is why we are pursuing
a range of specific initiatives
in areas such as food
security and global health
that will be essential to the
future security and prosperity
of nations and peoples around
the globe.
Increase Investments in
Development: The United
States has an interest in working
with our allies to help the
world’s poorest countries
grow into productive and
prosperous economies governed
by capable, democratic,
and accountable state institutions.
We will ensure a greater
and more deliberate focus on a
global development agenda
across the United States Government,
from policy analysis
through policy implementation.
We are increasing our foreign
assistance, expanding our investments
in effective multilateral
development institutions, and
leveraging the engagement of
others to share the burden.
Invest in the Foundations of
Long-Term Development: The
United States will initiate longterm
investments
that recognize
and reward governments that
demonstrate the capacity and
political will to pursue sustainable
development strategies and
ensure that all policy instruments
at our disposal are harnessed
to these ends. And we
will provide our support in multiple
ways—by strengthening
the ability of governments
and
communities to manage development
challenges and investing
in strong institutions that
foster the democratic accountability
that helps sustain development.
This will expand the
circle of nations—particularly
in Africa—who are capable of
reaping the benefits of the
global economy, while
contributing to global security
and prosperity.
Exercise Leadership in the
Provision of Global Public
Goods: Our approach needs
to reflect the fact that there
are a set of development
challenges that strongly
affect the likelihood of progress,
but cannot be addressed
by individual countries acting
alone. Particularly in
Africa, these challenges—
such as adaptation
to global
warming, the control of epidemic
disease, and the
knowledge to increase agricultural
productivity—are
not adequately addressed in
bilateral efforts. We will
shape the international architecture
and work with our
global partners to address
these challenges, and
increase our investments and
engagement to transition to a
low-carbon growth trajectory,
support the resilience of
the poorest nations to the
effects of climate change,
and strengthen food security.
We must also pursue potential
“game changers” for
development such as new
vaccines, weather-resistant
seed varieties, and green
energy technologies.
★
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