The Foreign Service Journal, December 2008

tively when things go wrong. Indeed, if the Obama administra- tion adopts the unified budget described above, it will have to make a concerted effort to engage Capitol Hill as a true partner. A First Step One of America’s national assets is a dynamism that enables it to adjust and thrive amidst economic, technological and political changes. Nevertheless, because our systems have ossified in their 20th-century forms, we continue to think of defense, diplomacy and development sepa- rately — even as we hope to ensure they support com- mon national ends. Addressing international challenges unilaterally can be utterly futile, yet the infrastructure we need to work effectively with a range of partners around the world is crumbling. Today’s rapid changes require that we adapt and strength- en this governmental architecture, or face the continuing erosion of American influence. But this investment should not be made in a vacuum or as a pan- icked reaction to another crisis. Deliberate evaluation of our vari- ous capabilities and their relative importance in advancing Ameri- can interests can help bring our investments into the right balance. The change in administration is the opportunity, and an integrated national security budget is the best first step to take. The new team should get started with DOD, State and USAID’s respective briefing books now, during the transition, to be ready to deliver a new way of doing business as soon as possible after the 44th president’s inauguration. F O C U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 33 The steady and steep growth of defense budgets contrasts starkly with the lack of support for diplomacy and development.