‘The General and the Ambassador’ discuss USAID in war zones

“The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation” recently released their fiftieth episode. In this episode, Ambassador (retired) Deborah McCarthy discusses the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) role in war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan with Senior Mission Directors Hilda “Bambi” Arellano and Ken Yamashita. Arellano and Yamashita describe the difficulties and results of USAID development programs in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the effect of U.S. military surges and drawdowns, the dangers of going into the field and the pressure of constant audits.

The interviews are part of Ambassador McCarthy’s podcast series “The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation.” The podcast promotes interagency cooperation and is produced by the American Academy of Diplomacy.

McCarthy was the 2018 DACOR Visiting Professor of Diplomacy for the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC). The DACOR Visiting Professor of Diplomacy Program is conducted in partnership with the Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired, Inc. (DACOR) organization located in Washington D.C., and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Foundation. Several times a year retired senior officials, usually Ambassadors with extensive diplomatic experience, come to Fort Leavenworth to interact with the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College students and faculty to provide a Department of State and Chief of Mission perspective to the curriculum. During their visit they also interact with area universities and civic organizations discussing policy, regional, and political expertise, as well as speaking about careers in the Foreign Service.

To learn more and listen to the podcast, please follow the link below.
USAID & War Zones: Iraq and Afghanistan with Senior Mission Directors Bambi Arellano and Ken Yamashita