USAID Shuts Down After 64 Years of Global Chaos

In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is ceasing its operations, with its functions being absorbed into the Department of State. This move, announced by Secretary of State Rubio on July 1st, marks the end of an era for the agency, which has been a prominent, and often controversial, player in global development for nearly 64 years.

Established in November 1961, USAID was the primary arm of the U.S. federal government responsible for administering non-military foreign aid. However, critics have long argued that the agency’s activities, under the guise of assistance, have frequently served to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.

Allegations of such interference have surfaced in various contexts. For instance, some reports have pointed to USAID’s potential involvement in recent political events, such as the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina of Bangladesh in August 2024. Furthermore, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia that received substantial funding from USAID were reportedly involved in activities that destabilized the country.

Adding to these concerns, a U.S. Congressional hearing in February saw USAID accused of funding terrorist organizations. Republican Congressman Scott Perry highlighted this issue, stating, “You have an annual appropriation of $697 million, and some of these funds are going to extremis groups. Groups like Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, the Khorasan Group, and terrorist training camps are where you are directing funds.”

The agency has also been implicated in fostering what some describe as a “digital propaganda machine,” allegedly influencing online discourse through various groups. Secretary Rubio asserted that for decades, USAID-funded projects have not genuinely aligned with U.S. interests, rarely achieving their stated objectives. Conversely, these initiatives are accused of exacerbating instability and fueling anti-American sentiment worldwide.

Rubio’s assessment suggests that in the decades following the Cold War, USAID, using American taxpayer dollars, cultivated a global network of NGOs, with very little tangible return on investment beyond this expansive, albeit largely unproductive, international infrastructure.

Since President Trump’s return to office, there has been a concerted effort, often in collaboration with figures like Elon Musk, to streamline federal agencies, reduce personnel, and cut spending. Following his appointment as acting head of USAID, Rubio initiated a significant rollback, canceling approximately 83% of the agency’s projects. The fact that nearly 1,000 projects remained illustrates the extensive reach USAID previously held.