I can't help but think the conclusion this piece comes to is exactly wrong. Isn't USAID supposed to do America's development work. If the Peace Corps has a mission problem, it should refocus on being an information agency that spreads American propaganda and acts as a study abroad for future American leaders.

Great point! Ooh, this is a textbook case of one of those Latin logical fallacies -- I have no idea which one -- but it's basically "arguing against something nobody ever said."

On its site, the Peace Corps says it has three goals:

***

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.

2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.

3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

***

Sure, you can argue w/ the importance of the goals -- but yeah, Dan, you're absolutely correct: It says nothing about development.

Nicely done!

Sounds like a special variant of the straw man (aka the fallacy of extension). Usually a straw man involves distorting your opponent's real view, but taken more broadly as "attributing to your opponent an argument not made," it fits to a tee.