Better integrate efforts of federal agencies with the military through new Mobile Development Teams

Obama has ordered review and study

Updated: Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 | By Robert Farley

In July, the Obama administration initiated a Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review -- a blueprint for U.S. diplomatic and development efforts -- being conducted by the State Department.

The comprehensive review will include an exploration of ways for the State Department and USAID to work together effectively alongside the military. Findings and recommendations of the review are designed to foster a whole-of-government approach.

In addition, Obama signed a presidential study directive on global development policy led by national security adviser Jim Jones and National Economic Council chairman Larry Summers.

According to statement about the study directive from the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network, a coalition of international development and foreign policy practitioners, "This process will provide much-needed clarity about how U.S. agencies and departments can work together to develop and implement coordinated and sound policy aimed at achieving our global development goals."

We could find no mention of a Mobile Development Team, at least by that name, but it is clear the two efforts mentioned above seek to better integrate personnel from the State Department, Pentagon and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in stabilization and aid efforts.

And so we move this promise to In the Works.

Sources:

Foreign Policy blog "The Cable," " In new directive, Obama signs off on development review ," Aug. 31, 2009
 
Modernizing Foreign Assistance, "MFAN: New Presidential Study Directive an Unprecedented Step Forward on Development" ( news release ), Aug. 31, 2009

State Department, "The Department of State's Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review" ( news release ), July 10, 2009