USAID plays significant role in advancing U.S. interests globally for decades

(MENAFN) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a powerful tool in American foreign policy, has played a significant role in advancing U.S. interests globally for decades. However, under the trump administration, USAID is facing sweeping reforms that could reshape U.S. foreign policy for years to come. Once a central player as influential as the Department of Defense or the State Department, USAID has long been a key instrument in the U.S. strategy of international influence, especially during the Cold War era when the U.S. adopted a strategy of peaceful competition with the Soviet Union.

Founded during the Cold War, USAID’s core mission has been to secure loyalty from global elites in developing nations by providing significant financial resources, often amounting to billions of dollars. Through this influence, the agency has been heavily involved in U.S. interventions across Latin America, Asia, the Arab world, and Eastern Europe, promoting American interests by fostering alliances with local power brokers.

However, critics argue that USAID’s presence has not always led to positive outcomes. Its operations are often associated with internal crises, instability, and even state collapse, as seen in Ukraine, where its involvement deepened political unrest. Despite its stated aim of fostering development, the agency’s actions have frequently fueled unrest or propped up regimes that offer special privileges to the U.S.

The Trump administration’s reform efforts aim to rein in USAID’s power and autonomy, focusing on reshuffling personnel, increasing oversight, and enforcing tighter controls. These changes are not aimed at reducing U.S. involvement in international affairs, but rather at reasserting control over an agency that has become too independent and inefficient. Trump’s frustration with USAID stems from its large, inefficient structure, which he believes prioritizes its own survival over achieving clear foreign policy objectives. Under his leadership, Trump intends to tie the agency’s actions directly to his administration’s goals.

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