Today, General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (Ret.) and Admiral Leighton W. Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.), issued a call to action to the remaining presidential candidates to elevate support for the use of global development and diplomacy as critical tools in U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy.

Issued on behalf of over 50 retired senior military officers, this is the largest endorsement from the military community for non-military national security measures.

"The United States cannot rely on military might alone to keep us safe from terrorism, infectious disease and other global threats that recognize no borders," said General Zinni. "Instead, we need to significantly increase our investments in diplomacy and development to promote global stability and expand the benefits of today's global economy."

General Zinni and Admiral Smith released the call to action at the launch of the new National Security Advisory Council for the Center for U.S. Global Engagement. The National Security Advisory Council is a non-partisan group of over 50 prominent retired three and four-star generals and admirals representing all branches of the Armed Forces.

Members of the Center point out that despite recent increases, funding for diplomacy and foreign assistance accounts for just over one percent of the annual federal budget while defense spending accounts for 23 percent.

"Our experience, both in and out of uniform, leads us to make a direct appeal to all of the presidential candidates that what America urgently needs is a new and bold strategic agenda for its national security and foreign policy," added Admiral Smith Jr. "Simply put, we need to repair our relationship with the world and begin to take it to the next level through better funded non-military tools and action," which they call “smart power.”

The Center’s founding principles include the following:

•    To keep America safe, our best defense is a good offense. Diplomatic initiatives, anti-proliferation programs, international exchanges and long-term investments in the health, education and livelihood of citizens of other nations keep America safer by combating terrorism, engendering goodwill toward the U.S., and alleviating conditions that leave fragile countries vulnerable to extremist groups.

•    America's innovation and investment can address some of the world's greatest challenges. Increasing U.S. efforts to help governments of poor countries offer their people hope for a better future reaffirms America's humanitarian tradition and strengthens America's image abroad.

•    The U.S. must promote and harness economic growth in developing countries. We must put in place development assistance and trade policies that will increase market access and create greater economic opportunities for both America and our trading partners.

Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage called the Center’s mission and statements “a testament to the importance of this issue,” moving on to say that “these extraordinary retired military officers have come together to endorse increased investment in non-military tools to improve our national security."