Owen Barder offers an excellent review of progress and missed opportunity in international development in 2005, the "Year of Development". He notes a number of significant accomplishments, including debt relief and support for immunizations for developing countries. He also catalogs a frustrating list of squandered opportunities, including shortcomings on MDG targets and failure of donors to meet HIV/AIDS 3x5 obligations.

We have commented previously on PEPFAR's requirement that all recipient groups sign a pledge opposing prostitution. Unfortunately, PEPFAR doesn't make the language of their restrictions readily available (we have posted some language here). As far as we know, PEPFAR also has yet to issue additional guidance concerning this policy.

PEPFAR may now need to address the issue directly. This week the Open Society Institute announced a lawsuit against USAID, claiming the policy to be unconstitutional. As the lawsuit moves forward, USAID will by necessity be required to explain and defend its policies.