Foreign aid is one of the United States most important tools. Every single year the U.S. spends 71.9 billion dollars on a mixture of humanitarian relief, economic development, and military assistance abroad. The stated goals are to fight poverty, stabilize fragile regions, and promote American values. But is it truly as philanthropic as it claims? Clearly not, foreign aid is mostly used to strengthen ties and counter China & Russia.
The biggest institutor of foreign aid is USAID (United States Agency for International Development), USAID was founded in 1961 by John F. Kennedy through the Foreign Assistance Act, and in 1998 it was reorganized as an independent agency.
Although foreign aid benefits many such as developing nations, U.S. contractors, and key allies like Israel, but it also causes concerns about misuse, corruption, and prioritizing American interests over actual humanitarian need.
After USAID was shut down by Elon Musk with his Department of Government Efficiency, many concerns were found with usage of government funds. A $500,000 grant was given to Nepal for the Spread of Atheism Overseas, $20 Million for Sesame Street in Iraq, $1.5 Million for DEI Initiatives in Serbia, and accusations of their funding going to Al-Queda affiliates.
For decades, USAID has operated with billions in taxpayer funding, often without delivering actual results for the American taxpayers. With rising inflation, a housing crisis, student debt, and failing infrastructure at home, many Americans are wondering why we are burning money on these random programs.
However as humans, we must consider the damage this can do vulnerable populations without access to food, medicine, or education. This also allows China and Russia to expand their influence, offering their own aid packages and making friendships in crucial chokepoints across the world.
With the growing concerns about the effectiveness and intent of US foreign aid, it is obvious that reform is needed, not radical eliminations. Rather than continuing to fund meaningless programs with unknown outcomes or partisan motivations, the United States should pass a Foreign Aid Accountability Act. This policy would introduce more openness and full disclosure for the general public. If this causes national security lapses, maybe the US could bring in a 3rd party oversight to make sure USAID is going to places that need it and not in the backpocket of officials. By doing so, the United States can still uphold its global leadership and humanitarian commitments whilst addressing the concerns of American taxpayers.
The Policy Lens 