243: Foreign Aid Is Now DOD’s Problem: USAIDs Seth Middleton Explains Why

Today, we welcome retired Lieutenant Colonel Seth Middleton, who served as a Civil Affairs officer in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali.He later went on to work for USAID, teaching the JHOC, or JointHumanitarian Operations Course, and serving as a military advisor before the agency was disbanded. We talk with Seth about his experiences at AID and his new article,"Non-Military Foreign Assistance is Now DOD’s Problem," published in the Small Wars Journal. To check out the article, I have links available in the show notesSWJ Profile:https://smallwarsjournal.com/author/seth-middleton/Article:https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/03/21/non-military-foreign-assistance-is-now-dods-problem/ ---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassoc.orgCAA Call for papers:https://www.civilaffairsassoc.org/_files/ugd/85da1e_74d6e5f2cd7f4e13a73d68ee76e5b192.pdfCAA 2025 Symposium:Civil Affairs Association's 2025 annual symposium will be heldin Los Angeles, California from November 13-16https://www.linkedin.com/posts/civil-affairs-association_save-the-date-the-2025-caa-annual-activity-7315538329746264065-KkDR/ ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Cozy Jazz Music for the sample ofSeptember Jazz. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/N1GJvZfdDGI?feature=shared---🎯 Hashtags:#CivilAffairs #ForeignAssistance #USAID #MilitaryDiplomacy #HumanitarianOperations #JHOC #DevelopmentLeadership #ConflictZones #IraqWar #AfghanistanOps #MaliSecurity #SmallWarsJournal #StrategicEngagement #PartnerNation #LastThreeFeet #ForeignPolicyVoices #VeteranInsights #GlobalDevelopment #MilitaryAdvisor #FeedspotTop10

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host Danny Joseph sits down with Matt Moran, a wildlife biologist from Alaska and newly minted 38G Natural Resources Specialist in the Army Reserve Civil Affairs community. From tracking polar bear hunting in the Aleutian Islands to advising on wildlife management in deployed regions, Matt shares how his civilian expertise translates into strategic value for U.S. foreign engagement.They dive into the role of natural resources in stability operations, the challenges of conservation in conflict zones, and how Civil Affairs professionals operate in the “last three feet” of diplomacy. Matt’s story highlights the growing importance of specialized knowledge in shaping mission success and building trust with partner nations.Whether you're a soldier, scientist, strategist, or simply curious about the intersection of ecology and foreign policy, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the evolving mission of Civil Affairs.---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org  ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- I want to give Special Thanks to my niece Kim, a fantastic R&B vocalist, for sharing a sample of her song "No Blues" from the Album Nzuri Soul. Check it out at: https://youtu.be/02Im-C7b1q8?si=n2LdtnAtcZATkhPU---🎙️ Podcast & Civil Affairs Focus#OneCAPodcast #CivilAffairs #MilitaryDiplomacy #LastThreeFeet #FeedspotTop10🌍 Foreign Policy & Stability Operations#ForeignPolicy #StabilityOperations #ForeignEngagement #ConflictZones🦅 Natural Resources & Wildlife Expertise#38GSpecialist #NaturalResources #WildlifeBiology #AlaskaWildlife #PolarBearConservation #EcologyAndSecurity

🎙️ Welcome to the One CA PodcastIn this episode, host Brian Hancock sits down with JohnPaul LeCedre to explore the realities of military command and share actionable insights for emerging leaders.📌 This is Part 1 of a special two-part series.🌍 About One CAProduced by the Civil Affairs Association, One CA features professionals in diplomacy, defense, development, and field operations. We highlight real-world experiences from “the last three feet” of U.S. foreign engagement—where relationship-building becomes mission-critical.📬 Contact: [email protected]🔗 Visit: civilaffairsassoc.org🏅 Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast — as ranked by Feedspot🙏 Special Thanks To Resputin e Boney M for a sample of Shuffle Dance. Retrieved from ⁠https://youtube.com/shorts/mLZerKOcsbM?feature=shared⁠---🎧 #OneCAPodcast #LeadershipAtTheEdge #MilitaryLeadership #CommandInsights #CivilAffairs #ForeignPolicy #DefenseDiplomacy #PublicAffairs #LastThreeFeet #VeteranVoices #GlobalEngagement #StrategicInfluence #NationalSecurity #TacticalLeadership #PartnerNation #MilitaryPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #FieldExperience #ForeignService #MissionReady

🎙️ Welcome to the One CA PodcastIn this episode, host Brian Hancock sits down with JohnPaul LeCedre to explore the realities of military command and share actionable insights for emerging leaders.📌 This is Part 1 of a special two-part series.🌍 About One CAProduced by the Civil Affairs Association, One CA features professionals in diplomacy, defense, development, and field operations. We highlight real-world experiences from “the last three feet” of U.S. foreign engagement—where relationship-building becomes mission-critical.📬 Contact: [email protected]🔗 Visit: civilaffairsassoc.org🏅 Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast — as ranked by Feedspot🙏 Special Thanks To Resputin e Boney M for a sample of Shuffle Dance. Retrieved from https://youtube.com/shorts/mLZerKOcsbM?feature=shared---🎧 #OneCAPodcast #LeadershipAtTheEdge #MilitaryLeadership #CommandInsights #CivilAffairs #ForeignPolicy #DefenseDiplomacy #PublicAffairs #LastThreeFeet #VeteranVoices #GlobalEngagement #StrategicInfluence #NationalSecurity #TacticalLeadership #PartnerNation #MilitaryPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #FieldExperience #ForeignService #MissionReady

Join us on the One CA Podcast as we welcome Mr. Samuel Wong, a leading China and foreign policy expert based in Washington, D.C. In this episode, we unpack Xi Jinping’s recent political maneuvers, the implications of military purges, and what these shifts mean for U.S.–China relations.One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association, featuring voices from the frontlines of diplomacy—military professionals, diplomats, development officers, and field agents—sharing insights from the “last three feet” of foreign engagement.📩 Contact: [email protected]🌐 Learn more: civilaffairsassoc.org🏆 Ranked Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot: See the list🎵 Music by Infraction: Upbeat Happy Fun Ukulele🔗 Hashtags for Spotify & Social Promotion#OneCAPodcast#XiJinping#ChinaPolitics#USChinaRelations#ForeignPolicy#CivilAffairs#Geopolitics#Top10Podcasts#DiplomacyMatters#StrategicCommunication#PodcastDrop#ListenAndLearn

🎧 Welcome to the One CA Podcast. Today, host Danny Joseph speaks with Dennis Cosgrove—retired FBI Special Agent who investigated the Russian Mob and the global diamond underworld. In this episode, Cosgrove unpacks how those experiences translate into practical lessons for anyone stepping into law enforcement, diplomacy, or national security.---You can learn more about ---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, developmentofficers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with apartner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org  ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to positive mood jazz - sunny jazz cafe and bossa nova music. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp_Eg8NMfT0---#OneCAPodcast #DiamondGamePodcast #DennisCosgroveInterview #FBIInsights #NationalSecurityToday #CounterintelligenceTalk #LawEnforcementLeadership #OrganizedCrimePodcast #BehindDiplomacy #ForeignServiceVoices #GlobalStrategyPodcast #InternationalSecurityTalk #PublicDiplomacyMatters #StrategicNarrative #EthicalLeadership #AIForCommunicators #CommunicationStrategy #NarrativeWarfare #NewPodcastAlert #TrueCrimePodcast #PodcastInterviews #PodcastCommunity #PodcastLife #SpotifyPodcast

Today, Brian Hancock talks with Ian Thigpen on Disaster Management.Cpt Ian Thigpen is a Captain in the U.S. Army, 353 Civil Affairs Command and works disaster management in his professional career. ---Ian Thigpen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-michael-thigpen-mem/---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association. We bringin people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers,and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partnernation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last-three feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected], orlook us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org  ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Taylor Croatia sor a sample of the instrumentalAugust. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRz8l11M_2Y#Civil_Affairs, #klamathcounty, @ianthigpen

Please welcome Dan Spokojny, the founder of FP21, a research and advisory group focused on reforming the State Department's conduct of U.S. foreign policy.Dan started on the hill, working on congressional policy, then as a diplomat for the State Department. Since then, he formed FP21 to help the State Department improve its organization and processes.This is part II of a two-part episode, so let's get started.---You can learn more about FP21 here: https://www.fp21.org/---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected],  or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassoc.org  ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CA Podcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Weirdlysound for the sample of July Instrumental by Noah Cyrus.Retrieved from: ⁠https://youtu.be/HgB9QFdFnZk?feature=shared⁠#CAA, #FP21org, #Dan_Spoko, #Civil_Affairs

Please welcome Dan Spokojny, the founder of FP21, a research and advisory group focused on reforming the State Department's conduct of U.S. foreign policy.Dan started on the hill, working on congressional policy, then as a diplomat for the State Department. Since then, he formed FP21 to help the State Department improve its organization and processes.A quick note: I found that the introduction had a gap. One of the voice channels fell out, so on 27 July I updated a corrected version. Sorry about that. This is part I of a two-part episode, so let's get started.---You can learn more about FP21 here: https://www.fp21.org/---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected],  or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassoc.org  ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CA Podcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Weirdlysound for the sample of July Instrumental by Noah Cyrus.Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/HgB9QFdFnZk?feature=shared#CAA, #FP21org, #Dan_Spoko, #Civil_Affairs

Hey, it's Jack from the show. Just a quick heads-up that the Civil Affairs Association's fall symposium is planned for November 13-16 in Los Angeles. And, with the symposium, the association has acall for papers. We are asking you to write on “Redefining Civil Affairs,” based on the latest CA Roundtable Report. Papers are due by September 12th, andthe top three get a cash prize. See below: Symposium:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/civil-affairs-association_save-the-date-the-2025-caa-annual-activity-7315538329746264065-KkDR/ Call for papers:https://www.civilaffairsassociation.com/post/2025-26-civil-affairs-issue-papers-call-for-papers---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, developmentofficers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with apartner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org 🎯 Hashtags:#CivilAffairs #RedefiningCivilAffairs #FallSymposium #CallForPapers #PolicyInnovation #MilitaryLeadership #DiplomacyMatters #DevelopmentDiplomacy #USForeignPolicy #PartnerNation #StrategicNarratives #ThoughtLeadership #WriteForImpact #ForeignPolicyVoices #GlobalEngagement #VeteranVoices