Department of State & USAID Joint Strategy on Countering Violent Extremism

A comprehensive approach to address the drivers of violent extremism is critical to advancing the United States’ national security and overall foreign policy goals. Reflecting this realization, the 2015 QDDR states that the Department of State (State) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will work to enhance, refine, and elevate ongoing CVE efforts, particularly those focused on prevention. State and USAID have different tools, approaches, and expertise to contribute to these efforts. USAID’s policy, The Development Response to Violent Extremism and Insurgency, will continue to provide a broad framework for using development tools to prevent violent extremism. This strategy, which is consistent with USAID’s policy, provides a more explicit guide for how State and USAID will work jointly and will leverage the range of available diplomatic and development resources to have a demonstrable impact to prevent and counter the spread of violent extremism.