Which rich countries are doing the most—and least—to foster security in developing countries post 9-11? The Commitment to Development Index, a joint project of the Center for Global Development and Foreign Policy, offers concrete and provocative answers to this question. The newly released 2006 CDI ranks 21 rich countries in seven policy areas. The security component, designed in consultation with Michael O’Hanlon of the Brookings Institution, has Norway and Australia tied for first thanks to strong contributions for their size to internationally approve peacekeeping and military operations. France comes last because of heavy arms sales to authoritarian regimes, notably Saudi Arabia.
For this event, co-hosted by Foreign Policy Magazine, Nancy Birdsall, President of Center for Global Development made introductions and David Roodman, Architect of the Commitment to Development Index and Research Fellow, Center for Global Development presented the CDI Security Rankings. Discussants included Stewart Patrick, Research Fellow, Center for Global Development and Denis Pietton, Minister-Counselor, French Embassy. Moisés Naím, Editor in Chief of Foreign Policy Magazine served as discussion moderator.
