Protecting our country and our allies from the dangers of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, international crime, and regional instability is necessary but not sufficient for achieving national security. A more healthy, educated, democratic, and prosperous world — in short, a better world — will also be more stable and secure.

Our strategic goals for democracy and human rights, economic prosperity and security, and social and environmental issues are part of a larger whole. It is no coincidence that conflict, chaos, corrupt and oppressive governments, environmental degradation, and humanitarian crisis often reign in the same places.