I was struck how an observation of former U.S. National Security Advisor Anthony Lake parallels my experience – and no doubt that of many of you as well:
"Mention the deleterious political effects of a sound economic policy at a meeting of economic planners and watch their fingers drum impatiently on a table. Talk about the economic details at a conference of diplomats working on a political settlement and watch their eyes glaze. Tell a politician about the importance of painful economic sacrifice now for the sake of economic health later and watch his or her eyes widen in alarm."
Our appreciation of how best to secure development – to synthesize security, governance, and economics to be most effective – is still modest. I have been encouraging development and finance ministers, policy scholars, and practicing professionals to consider new policy frameworks for fragile states – and to reach out to other disciplines. This will be a challenge for the incoming Administration, too.
Today, I want to suggest ten considerations to help figure out what to do – or at least what questions to ask – in fragile situations...
