As COP30 gets going in Brazil, TPP Director Neil McCulloch argues that we need a completely new narrative around climate action. His blog is in three parts. Today, he explains what is wrong with the current narrative.  Tomorrow, he argues for a new approach. On Friday, he will show how this new approach would change international cooperation on climate action.

USAID veteran David Jacobstein summarizes his new paper A personal reflection on Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) at USAID. He argues that TWP is gaining ground, but losing focus. An increasing pursuit of tactical TWP makes programmes smarter in the short run, but what is also called for is strategic TWP that ensures development efforts contribute to deeper transformations in power, institutions, and resilience.

We’re pleased to announce our next Political Economy Analysis in Action online course, running from 2 February to 11 June 2026. The course helps participants understand how political economy factors shape their work and develop practical strategies for effective policy and programmes.

To learn more or enquire about tailored options, please see our course flyer or contact training@thepolicypractice.com.

This publication reflects on how political economy approaches spread across USAID, and what this means for the wider development community following the agency’s closure in 2025. It highlights success factors such as peer-driven learning, integration with existing frameworks, and linking to reform agendas. The author urges Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) champions to embrace complexity, use TWP strategically (rather than just tactically), and rethink accountability through partnership.

In wartime Ukraine, the battle against corruption is just as critical as the battle against Russia. In July 2025, a sudden political move to weaken Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions sparked mass protests—and a rapid government U-turn. In this blog, TPP Associate and Ukrainian lawyer Andrii Biletskyi explains the political economy factors behind this anti-corruption drama, and why strong, independent institutions are essential to Ukraine’s survival and its Euro-Atlantic future.

In his new blog, TPP Director Neil McCulloch urges a rethink of aid following USAID’s collapse and deep UK cuts. He proposes a low-cost, adaptive model focused on supporting local coalitions for change, rather than imposing external solutions. This “transformational” approach blends development, diplomacy, and security tools, aiming for sustainable, locally driven reform based on how real progress has historically been achieved.

Our April newsletter features a new working paper on Yemen’s economy, resources on thinking and working politically, a climate change consultation paper, three new Associates, and details of our upcoming online course. Click to read the full update.

This working paper, authored by Richard Barltrop, TPP Associate and LSE Middle East Centre visiting senior fellow, explores how the prevailing picture of Yemen's economy is incomplete and misleading, in particular when it fails to take into account the realities on the ground. 

We have created a new USAID section on The Policy Practice online library to make accessible the most helpful USAID materials on political economy analysis and thinking&working politically. These documents and blogs used to be open access but are sadly no longer available since USAID was abolished.