(Taking context-optional note of thought-provoking quotes)
-- J. Anthony Holmes, Cyrus Vance Fellow in Diplomatic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, former U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso, and former President of the U.S. Foreign Service Association, in an essay in Foreign Affairs (subscription required) entitled "Where Are the Civilians? How to Rebuild the U.S. Foreign Service." Earlier IntLawGrrls posts on issues related to foreign assistance issue are here.
In fact, the Pentagon spends more on health care for military personnel than the U.S. government allocates to diplomacy and foreign assistance. When defense-related programs are factored in, defense and intelligence account for 99 cents of every dollar Washington spends on national security and foreign affairs; just a penny goes to diplomacy and foreign aid.
