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# Democracy, free trade and economic development are the best investments against conflict and crisis.
# Democracy, free trade and economic development are the best investments against conflict and crisis.
by [Robert T. Hastings](https://roberthastings.us/en/leading-with-strategy/author/robert-t-hastings)
Jun 5, 2024, 9:29:18 AM
I joined my Texas colleagues at [U.S. Global Leadership Coalition](https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-global-leadership-coalition/) today to “storm the hill” and impress upon our elected leadership the importance of maintaining America’s global leadership by - among other things - fully funding the state, foreign operations bill which funds our development and diplomacy efforts around the globe. Democracy, free trade and economic development are the best investments against conflict and crisis. Gen Mattis once said, if you don’t fully fund diplomacy you’ll need to buy me more bullets. Happy to report full support from all the representatives I visited with today. The dangerous world we live in today requires a comprehensive, well-funded, bipartisan, whole of government strategy in the way we rallied to defeat the Soviet Union and win the Cold War.
###### Tags:
[Strategic Communication](https://roberthastings.us/en/leading-with-strategy/tag/strategic-communication)
Post by [Robert T. Hastings](https://roberthastings.us/en/leading-with-strategy/author/robert-t-hastings)
Jun 5, 2024, 9:29:18 AM
I advise aerospace and defense CEOs and leadership teams on strategy, alignment, leadership, and execution. For more than 40 years, I have led and advised organizations across military command, the Pentagon, Fortune 100 companies, and corporate C-suites. I bring practical judgment, independent perspective, and operating experience to leaders facing growth, transformation, crisis, and consequential decisions. As Principal of Robert Hastings & Associates, I help leadership teams: • Clarify strategy and make hard choices • Align leaders around priorities • Strengthen trust, accountability, and decision-making • Turn strategy into disciplined execution • Navigate growth, change, and organizational complexity Strategic communications remains an important supporting capability. I help leaders ensure their strategy is understood, their organization is aligned, and their company commands confidence among employees, customers, investors, government leaders, media, and other mission-critical stakeholders. I am the author of People First: Mission Always—Lessons from 40 Years in the Leadership Laboratory of Military Service. Advisory Engagements | Speaking | Media Inquiries RTH@RobertHastings.us
[Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthastings/)
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