In the 1980s and 1990s, Colombia was on the brink of collapse and the U.S. grappled with the threat of a major drug war spilling over its southern borders. But over the past decade, the economy has grown at an average of 4.3 percent, and unemployment and poverty are at historic lows. The country’s homicide rate has been cut in half, kidnappings have declined by 90 percent, and in a little over a month, the Colombian government is expected to sign a peace agreement with the rebel movement known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), ending the longest civil war in Latin America. How did we get here?

With all eyes on New Hampshire today and the 2016 presidential horserace, it’s pretty easy to miss a relatively wonky, but actually important moment in Washington: the kickoff to the budget season with the Administration’s release of its proposal to Congress. The good news is that the two-year budget deal reached by Congress and the Administration last November spared international affairs programs from dangerous cuts from sequestration. Here are my 6 key takeaways on what the budget proposal means for America’s global leadership.

In December 2014, only 9 percent of Americans cited foreign policy as the country’s most important issue. A year later, that number had jumped to 32 percent, with 18 percent citing terrorism concerns. There appears to be a consensus among presidential candidates that a military component will be required to counter violent extremism, at least in the short term. But what’s equally vital, and much less often discussed, is a long-term strategy that utilizes all the tools of American leadership – including strategic investments in development and diplomacy.

In the midst of impassioned presidential debates on national security following the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, a recent report by the American Enterprise Institute makes a powerful case for why America should not scale back its global leadership, but instead must leverage its influence to support the liberal world order it has helped establish. Spearheaded by former U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Jon Kyl (R-MO), the report argues that if the U.S. were to retreat from its global leadership, it would leave a vacuum of power that almost certainly would be filled by actors that are hostile to America’s values and national interests.

As we celebrate 239 years of freedom in the United States on this July 4th, we honor the millions of Americans who defend the cause of freedom here at home and around the world. It seemed a fitting opportunity to post the first of many upcoming conversations with members of USGLC’s Veterans for Smart Power. Nearly 30,000 strong, these former servicemembers understand firsthand why we need a strong, balanced foreign policy to keep America safe and secure, and share a commitment to elevating and strengthening civilian tools of development and diplomacy, alongside defense. Captain Jim Morin is one of them.

Secretary of State George Marshall called on Congress to pass what would become known as the Marshall Plan, the economic recovery plan to rebuild Europe following World War II. Many of the beneficiaries have since become some of America’s strongest allies and trading partners; models for how foreign assistance can transform countries and unlock their potential. Since that time seven decades ago, the military has continued to be one of the strongest voices of support for America’s development and diplomacy programs.

At a refugee camp in Syria, 25,000 people live in 3,600 shipping containers that have been converted into temporary homes. This week marks the start of the fifth year of conflict in Syria with more than 200,000 Syrians killed, nearly 8 million displaced inside Syria, and another 4 million, half of whom are children, having fled in neighboring countries. The United States is the single largest donor, having provided over $3 billion in assistance, but with little appetite for significant boots on the ground, American diplomacy and development will remain critical to the amelioration and resolution of the crisis.