Honored to be a part of @carnegieendowment.org 2025 must-reads!

The Development Finance Corporation shows promise for helping the U.S. achieve its foreign policy goals. But it’s not living up to its potential. Why not? @afreenakhter.bsky.social explains: youtube.com/shorts/47SHF...

As I told Devex, the Trump team's approach to the DFC has focused almost singularly on critical minerals. Broadening that aperture could signal an evolution in how they see the agency's role. www.devex.com/news/kenya-l...

The Development Finance Corporation is meant to be an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But constraints on the agency hold it back. What can the U.S. do to make the DFC a stronger competitor? @afreenakhter.bsky.social explains: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

The DFC was built to be cautious--but caution loses in a world defined by speed, scale, and industrial alignment. My new Carnegie paper argues for a DFC that shapes markets, builds trusted supply chains, and anchors an architecture of industrial statecraft. carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

As I told Politico on the renewed U.S.-India defense pact, "Predictability and trust require strategic clarity." Trump’s approach is erratic and personality-driven. Absent a coherent strategy, this is pact is just choreography. www.politico.com/newsletters/...

In the last week, Congress let the BUILD Act and the Defense Production Act expire. Two pillars of U.S. industrial strategy and foreign policy - terminated. Congress had years to act. But their recurring playbook remains: lapse first, panic later. 🧵

In today’s #MustRead, @afreenakhter.bsky.social warns that Congress is stalling on reauthorizing America’s development bank—while China surges ahead with $1T in global investments. The U.S. must act or risk losing ground in the race for economic leadership. www.justsecurity.org/120015/reaut...

(1/2) Catch up on our recent analysis: • U.S. military strike / Venezuela • Afghanistan • International law / Gender violence • Northern Ireland / Accountability • Trump executive actions • United States / Foreign investment • Artificial intelligence • Climate change

China builds. America balks. Whether the U.S. keeps losing ground depends on choices now before Congress. My latest on America’s development bank at www.justsecurity.org/120015/reaut...

As China’s Belt and Road Initiative challenges U.S. influence, Congress is considering reauthorization for its International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). @afreenakhter.bsky.social outlines how the agency could “move at the speed of global competition -- without compromising safeguards.”

Republicans are suppressing their own voters. Political coalitions have shifted, but tactics have not. Why? Article by me. slate.com/news-and-pol...

Congress needs *a lot* of caffeine. Here's why 👇

The #abundanceagenda envisions a government that delivers faster at home. Our foreign affairs agencies suffer from the same gridlock. Let’s speed them up — starting with the DFC.

China invests billions overseas to secure its future. The U.S. invests billions too – through our Development Finance Corporation (DFC) – but with the brakes on. Congress has only 8 weeks left to change that – before the agency expires. 🧵

Authorization for the United States’ development bank is set to run out in October. But to protect its economic future, “America needs a DFC that is faster, bolder, and more willing to take risks.” @afreenakhter.bsky.social‬ for Emissary: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...