Obviously she hadn't been given a preview of a new report from the U.S. intelligence community on the dangers to national security over the next 15 years. It illustrates why global humanitarian interests are American national interests.
Global poverty is a powder keg, ignitable by our indifference.
The good news is that cracks are beginning to form in that indifference. It would be such a shame for the new administration in Washington to cement them shut again. The HIPC program, bank officials announced, will have agreements to provide relief to 22 countries by the end of this year, exceeding their aggressive goal of 20. For the 22 nations, that means a debt reduction of about two-thirds. These debts, it should be noted, are now being serviced, so the reduction means a real savings to the poor nations.