This week, the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis—a beacon of humility, inclusion, and courage. Though not all of us share his faith, his call to “go to the peripheries” resonates deeply. In 2016, he urged leaders to “take risks, step into the margins, and ignite hope where it’s needed most.” My friend Zik is doing exactly that.
See his postcard from Arua—a town on Uganda's distant periphery 295 miles from Kampala— and please help propel my friend's mission forward.
One of my favorite parts of my job is spending time talking U.S. policy and Iraq with my colleague Omar.
Today we dropped our latest conversation. Keeping it short and to the point, we break down ten reasons why a sovereign, stable and inclusive Iraq remains a vital interest of the U.S. and international community.
If you have #Iraq in your story or just curious, I invite you to check out EPIC's YouTube channel. 😍
https://www.youtube.com/epicusa
Our latest show breaks down the misinformation surrounding U.S. foreign aid, including insights from our field experience in Iraq.
Imagine a town that built a levee decades ago to protect against floods...
Happening now: U.S. Congressional Delegation join protesters at USAID Headquarters amid illegal shut down of agency to discuss the far-reaching consequences on national security, the economy, and public health.
Live coverage of the protest via Reuters:
https://www.youtube.com/live/sqytZHscGAM?si=itXx6FaOQRYzj0eE
The U.S. aid freeze has disrupted lifesaving programs worldwide. According to ProPublica, aid groups have halted operations, laid off staff, and turned away patients—leaving millions without care. Affected programs include emergency medical aid in Gaza & Yemen, food for malnourished children in Ethiopian refugee camps, HIV treatment in Africa, and aid for Ukrainian refugees.
U.S. friends, urge Congress to press the White House and State Dept. to rescind the freeze!
Trump is using the right-wing backlash against “wokeness” (that is literally the word being used in official communiques from the OMB to Executive Orders) and a “flood the zone” strategy to drag America back to the days before the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 (although this time the emphasis of the “spoils” system will be privatization & awarding government contracts to Trump’s cronies).
If the goal is to make America “great”, this is not how it’s done. This is how it’s undone.
David Ho