Protecting American Interests in Fragile States

Hudson Institute will host an event to discuss a new report prepared by the Department of State’s Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance. A keynote address will be delivered by the Director of the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources James Richardson. He will present the findings of the report and his vision for how to align and optimize U.S. foreign assistance in fragile and conflict-affected states to achieve better outcomes and advance American interests. His remarks will be followed by a discussion of the report’s findings by government officials and think tank experts.

In a response to a shifting strategic landscape marked by growing political, economic, and military competition, the United States must reevaluate how it engages with fragile and conflict-affected areas and protects American interests abroad. Weak and poorly governed states continue to give rise to challenges—conflict, terrorism, humanitarian crises, pandemics—that spill across borders, demand attention, and ultimately consume U.S. resources. At the same time, U.S. competitors and adversaries increasingly seek to exploit these fragile and conflict-affected environments to subvert political institutions and gain geo-strategic advantages.

**NOTE: This event is open to the press. All members of the media should RSVP to press@hudson.org.**