Truman National Security Project

Angie Buhl in Argus Leader:

There’s a time-honored saying that any state legislator knows well: “All politics is local.” It remains true today. As a community, we need to remain focused on what keeps our local economy prosperous and our cities like Sioux Falls safe and secure. As policymakers look for ways to ensure our long-term economic security, it’s important not to overlook the importance of international development and trade.

International development is unfortunately sometimes portrayed as “feel-good” money we arbitrarily send around the globe, with no rhyme or reason attached to it. However, the reality is that our world has become more interconnected, with goods, services, information and people traveling across borders with more ease than at any other point in human history. At the same time, strife and conflict over resources in developing countries like Somalia and Yemen can cause instability and threaten our own security — directly or indirectly — here in South Dakota.

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The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Truman National Security Project or Educational Institute.