There’s a fresh plan for reimagining foreign assistance making the rounds in Washington, D.C., right now. Taglined as safer, stronger, and more prosperous, this proposal seems to be *aligned with the Trump administration’s current approach to aid*. The blueprint <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POuQ58nbdcJsMKAvb_Rc1ILvFezSdX1wv6DvZR_aAX847FqEzMmGnTC15XXA8aWJXosepLx0vDtpdDpFGVX8kXcja53Tx2xUy3AhtHQUs9ogZ5M_u0ccLbqxAEaa-g2CGN5gJM-V9-Tsplk8OTysIhvftYi8BKQwN7ErA10MwkJZ0jYJYVufmA1VkGebzFV2mJEAuUP-2BxtkS4MsdH3Ytn1igXWdhSl6T7vTTe9NqY5_W8a_Q6jDGyD706i2hU-TWw==/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZV1nigLJuF-Xf_rxuRia4g0H93bELerVaW2xOaICgKp-Ca_S4LbYHAHsacyYJNZb6ZwgJIlA=>, which Politico reported was drafted by aides of U.S. President Donald Trump, is stirring quite a discussion <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POou1toNPe0LPOn85yA46mIsosuw83WTWZy-xQJSrKpjN4QARowJkSuFv_yxMbvLGrr6bxvlLErn7eVT4hup6Mxzp4jIrtrH9onsIVyz1oanmn2198loRigEQENZFy6Jk3-o-drrcZRjGB4gAN05Vol0XEPKOuLh5PXfqUNuTTeTdWz9jzadfuItRE4ekU-2mIUkYCyMFviKmd4i5WGaNzxYhg4TLpvdoBAb9sSEXswUutdoQzA5Zd9cxTFGLa4C6_A==/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZV1nigLJuF-Xf_rxuRia4g0H93bELerVaW2xOaICgKp-Ca_S4LbYHAHsacyYJNZb6ZwgJIlA=> .
Richard Crespin of the Center for Strategic and International Studies <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZV1nigIKaQ6RHMnJvCgfq5cTZweoqpKsiss2uxOmjQ-4m-8CHp4o-GMr5tInPrD2GnrTa6I8=> commends the document, noting, "The memo was *very well thought out and well rationed*. And it seems to me that whoever was the author has a pretty thorough understanding of both the legislative side of this as well as the practical side.” The strategy aims to align U.S. foreign policy goals more closely with international development, a tactic other major donor countries have adopted. Despite the strong foundation, *the proposal has its critics*, write my colleagues Adva Saldinger and Elissa Miolene. Questions are raised about the U.S. State Department <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZV1nigMQIeT7fDbiaj8kPtTDfjVvEn_-xLEWvYh9JvwjLsF7Pa-TDjsV6TfgJZC05uURltGY=>’s ability to manage humanitarian aid effectively and whether the U.S. Congress would dismantle long-standing foreign aid laws. George Ingram from the Brookings Institution <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZV1nif6WRTIVDfXd-TJ0PALwWbtKuLvjLVo98LjHsVHe-uLMnz9NY5P9KJbN3aifHMY7xt3Q=> raises a significant concern: “When you get rid of 90% of USAID staffing, that sort of limits the amount of aid and the way you provide it.” The origin of the document remains a bit of a mystery, and *not everyone is convinced of its authenticity or endorsement*. One insider doubts its official approval, describing it as “wishful thinking” and “probably not a blessed document.” The blueprint suggests a new structure for aid: concentrating humanitarian efforts under a streamlined USAID, strengthening state-controlled programs that promote democracy and civil rights, and merging various agencies to enhance economic initiatives against global competitors like China's Belt and Road initiative. These plans, however, come with *worries about effectiveness due to potential drastic cuts in staff*. Congress will need to be heavily involved if these changes are to be implemented. The proposal calls for significant legislative updates, prompting a necessary reevaluation of the legislative body’s involvement in foreign aid. Amid these debates, the true future of U.S. assistance under this plan remains to be seen. Will these changes truly lead to a world that’s safer, stronger, and more prosperous? That remains a big question mark. *Read:* How is this ‘reimagined’ proposal for USAID hitting the sector? <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POou1toNPe0LPOn85yA46mIsosuw83WTWZy-xQJSrKpjN4QARowJkSuFv_yxMbvLGrr6bxvlLErn7eVT4hup6Mxzp4jIrtrH9onsIVyz1oanmn2198loRigEQENZFy6Jk3-o-drrcZRjGB4gAN05Vol0XEPKOuLh5PXfqUNuTTeTdWz9jzadfuItRE4ekU-2mIUkYCyMFviKmd4i5WGaNzxYhg4TLpvdoBAb9sSEXswUufqdIaBPShZEiHnm4NJRr8A==/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZV1nigLJuF-Xf_rxuRia4g0H93bELerVaW2xOaICgKp-Ca_S4LbYHAHsacyYJNZb6ZwgJIlA=> *ICYMI:* Memo lays out plan to replace USAID with new humanitarian agency <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POuQ58nbdcJsMKAvb_Rc1ILvFezSdX1wv6DvZR_aAX847FqEzMmGnTC15XXA8aWJXosepLx0vDtpdDpFGVX8kXcja53Tx2xUy3AhtHQUs9ogZ5M_u0ccLbqxAEaa-g2CGN5gJM-V9-Tsplk8OTysIhvftYi8BKQwN7ErA10MwkJZ0jYJYVufmA1VkGebzFV2mJEAuUP-2BxtkS4MsdH3Ytn1igXWdhSl6T7vTTe9NqY5_w3U6Y4HQ91J_PuioXa0uzw==/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZV1nigLJuF-Xf_rxuRia4g0H93bELerVaW2xOaICgKp-Ca_S4LbYHAHsacyYJNZb6ZwgJIlA=>
