Daniel Swift
@swiftforeignpolicy.bsky.social
Retired senior diplomat. Political moderate with a lifelong commitment to U.S. national security and principled foreign policy.
Pinned
The Chance to Save Myanmar
U.S. economic tools can counter both the junta and China.
www.foreignaffairs.com
Amid all the global headlines, let’s not forget Myanmar. Sean Turnell and I have just published a new article in Foreign Affairs Magazine outlining specific financial actions the U.S. can take to support the people of Myanmar. www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chance...
Hey Virginia! Go vote early for Abigail Spanberger - a national security moderate. I canvassed for her in Annandale last week, and - I have to say - this race is going to be close. The Democratic brand is trash and every vote matters. Get out there and send a message to the Trump administration.
October 23, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Hey Virginia! Go vote early for Abigail Spanberger - a national security moderate. I canvassed for her in Annandale last week, and - I have to say - this race is going to be close. The Democratic brand is trash and every vote matters. Get out there and send a message to the Trump administration.
The IMF quietly revised U.S. debt forecasts: 119% of GDP in 2025 → 143.4% by 2030. That’s a big jump from the prior 123%. Rough math: ~$3T in new bonds per year. And we already spend more on interest than on defense. Where are the guys in pointy hats?!
October 16, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The IMF quietly revised U.S. debt forecasts: 119% of GDP in 2025 → 143.4% by 2030. That’s a big jump from the prior 123%. Rough math: ~$3T in new bonds per year. And we already spend more on interest than on defense. Where are the guys in pointy hats?!
I might not be the smartest guy in the world, but doesn’t publicly authorizing covert action kind of defeat the point?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
I might not be the smartest guy in the world, but doesn’t publicly authorizing covert action kind of defeat the point?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
The brave people of Ukraine have taught us a valuable lesson about national security. Let’s learning something …
October 15, 2025 at 12:44 PM
The brave people of Ukraine have taught us a valuable lesson about national security. Let’s learning something …
On October 6th, authorization for the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) expired. A Senate version of the re-authorization was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, while a House version (H.R. 5299) has passed out of committee. Learn more here: www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
5 Ways the U.S. Should Retain and Upgrade America’s Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
Congress would be smart to ensure the survival and reform of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) – America’s development bank that invests in private sector projects in develo...
www.fdd.org
October 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
On October 6th, authorization for the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) expired. A Senate version of the re-authorization was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, while a House version (H.R. 5299) has passed out of committee. Learn more here: www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
Why should you care about Myanmar: www.youtube.com/shorts/1RwTv...
🤔 Why should we care about Myanmar?
YouTube video by FDD
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Why should you care about Myanmar: www.youtube.com/shorts/1RwTv...
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expired on September 30, ending 25 years of duty-free access to U.S. markets for eligible sub-Saharan African countries. This will likely more African nations closer to Beijing for trade, investment, and security. www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
China Set To Fill Gap From Expiration of Key U.S.-Africa Trade Program
Africa is bracing for crushing new tariffs on goods exported to the United States. On September 30, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expired, forcing an end to the duty-free access to U.S...
www.fdd.org
October 13, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expired on September 30, ending 25 years of duty-free access to U.S. markets for eligible sub-Saharan African countries. This will likely more African nations closer to Beijing for trade, investment, and security. www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
South Africa is facing new financial risks as its feud with the Trump administration heats up.
Spoiler: it’s not about the made-up “white farmer genocide.”
It’s about Pretoria’s deepening ties with Russia, China, and Iran: www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2...
Spoiler: it’s not about the made-up “white farmer genocide.”
It’s about Pretoria’s deepening ties with Russia, China, and Iran: www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2...
DAN SWIFT: How to prevent your portfolio paying the price for SA’s foreign policy
Far more serious threat than tariffs is the momentum in Washington to sanction ANC officials
www.businesslive.co.za
October 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
South Africa is facing new financial risks as its feud with the Trump administration heats up.
Spoiler: it’s not about the made-up “white farmer genocide.”
It’s about Pretoria’s deepening ties with Russia, China, and Iran: www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2...
Spoiler: it’s not about the made-up “white farmer genocide.”
It’s about Pretoria’s deepening ties with Russia, China, and Iran: www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2...
Check out my new op-ed in The Hill about China, Africa, and the United Stateshttps://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5506522-china-africa-lending-retrenchment/
thehill.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Check out my new op-ed in The Hill about China, Africa, and the United Stateshttps://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5506522-china-africa-lending-retrenchment/
Jordan is a wonderful country and home to incredible people who deserve better than a "zift" economy. The current economic situation is concerning, yet there are ways to help, even within today's "dynamic" political environment: thehill.com/opinion/inte...
thehill.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Jordan is a wonderful country and home to incredible people who deserve better than a "zift" economy. The current economic situation is concerning, yet there are ways to help, even within today's "dynamic" political environment: thehill.com/opinion/inte...
Amid all the global headlines, let’s not forget Myanmar. Sean Turnell and I have just published a new article in Foreign Affairs Magazine outlining specific financial actions the U.S. can take to support the people of Myanmar. www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chance...
The Chance to Save Myanmar
U.S. economic tools can counter both the junta and China.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Amid all the global headlines, let’s not forget Myanmar. Sean Turnell and I have just published a new article in Foreign Affairs Magazine outlining specific financial actions the U.S. can take to support the people of Myanmar. www.foreignaffairs.com/china/chance...
The United States should not walk away from Africa. There's too much to gain. This new op-ed explores opportunities to move supply chains out of China and into Africa, benefiting both Americans and our allies on the continent. Read more about it here: nationalinterest.org/feature/how-...
How Africa Can Shift Supply Chains from China
The United States can make a focused bet on African economies and reduce its dependence on Chinese supply chains.
nationalinterest.org
October 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The United States should not walk away from Africa. There's too much to gain. This new op-ed explores opportunities to move supply chains out of China and into Africa, benefiting both Americans and our allies on the continent. Read more about it here: nationalinterest.org/feature/how-...