The linked Economist article (http://www.economist.com/node/21524909) on the UAA homepage describes the set-back, reinforced, moat protected structures that are the new norm for U.S. embassies. For the most part, USAID, which traditionally had been separately located from embassies, is now obligated to be within the walls, if not within the building itself. Among other things, this makes it more difficult for our local counterparts to meet and talk with AID officers, as many are intimidated and more by the new security arrangements. Indeed, some might say, the location of Missions within embassies has done significant harm to the quality and nature of the partnerships we can have with counterparts and, therefore, to the potential results of the programs we carry out with them.

How significant to our work is this new aspect of our counterpart relationships? Are people finding fully successful workarounds to the new USAID office/security reality?