
U.S. Senator Chris Coons told Devex at the Munich Security Conference that the United States allocates far more development assistance than most people realize. He warned that soaring defense budgets among the U.S. and its European allies could crowd out aid funding if not managed carefully. Coons emphasized that bipartisan support for development remains strong, but it must be woven into the broader security strategy. The conversation underscores the tension between rising defense spending and sustaining global development programs.

World Bank President Ajay Banga joined President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza reconstruction, igniting debate over the lender’s political neutrality. Critics warn his involvement could blur the Bank’s traditionally apolitical stance, while supporters argue his presence may temper...

At the Munich Security Conference, defense leaders focused on tanks, ammunition and troop deployments, while climate change was relegated to the sidelines. Delegations from the Global South, especially small‑island states, warned that climate acts as a strategic risk multiplier that...

The latest Devex podcast recapped the African Union Summit and the Munich Security Conference, highlighting the African Continental Free Trade Area’s ongoing tariff reductions to boost intra‑African trade. Discussions emphasized the creation of strategic mineral corridors, with U.S. officials promising...