What We’re Reading 3/23/09

Mar 23rd, 2009 12:54 PM UTC
By Steve Wilson

Christian Science Monitor—Economy forces Obama to rein in foreign-aid goals
The Christian Science Monitor writes that the Obama administration is hinting that the economic downturn will make it unlikely for the president to reach his goal of doubling foreign aid by the end of his four-year term. Some development experts note that the president’s 2010 budget includes an almost 10 percent jump in foreign aid – an increase they consider positive given the economic circumstances. Yet with a significantly worse budgetary picture than anticipated, the White House Office of Management and Budget speaks of “extending out” the goal of doubling foreign aid – presumably into what officials envision as a second term for the president.

Irish Times—Plans to stimulate global economy must protect poorest (opinion)
An opinion piece in the Irish Times argues that the G20 must take action to support the poorest nations through the economic recession. He writes, “two powerful factors – political stability and economic recovery – dictate that the G20 meeting takes decisions to assist poor countries…The minimum political response is a recommitment by the G8 countries to meet their aid targets. But the leaders from non-G8 countries, which are increasing in economic and political power, should be challenged to contribute more to global economic recovery and assist the poorest countries.”

Reuters—Crisis to boost poverty, tension in Africa – bank
The global recession threatens to wipe out a decade of progress in Africa, boosting poverty and political tension, although the crisis is not of the continent’s making, the head of the African Development Bank said on Friday. AfDB President Donald Kaberuka urged the forthcoming G20 summit to look at the broader impact of the crisis on developing countries and not focus solely on financial issues.

AFP: Obama picks Carson for Africa affairs
President Obama on Friday nominated the former US Ambassador to Uganda, Johnnie Carson, to be assistant secretary of state for African affairs. Carson is currently the national intelligence officer for Africa at the National Intelligence Council. In the late 1990s, he served under Susan Rice, the UN ambassador, as principal deputy assistant secretary for the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.

Reuters—U.S. to suspend non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar
The United States said on Friday it would suspend all non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina’s took power with the support of the army in what Washington regards as coup. Madagascar’s elected president, Marc Ravalomanana, was forced out on Tuesday after weeks of opposition protests that won the support of the military.

Boston Globe—A plea to end poverty by giving to charity
A Princeton University professor, Peter Singer, is out with a new book to convince Americans that they can play a vital role in ending world poverty, without undue sacrifice. Singer writes that money given to effective programs that fight poverty and disease overseas can deliver extraordinary returns. Among his suggestions to increase giving is his so-called opt-out system in which employers would announce their intention to deduct 1 percent of an employee’s salary to fight world poverty unless the employee opted out of the plan.

-Steve Wilson

TAGS: What We're Reading