Post Reports The battle over USAID
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Feb 12, 2025 Missy Ryan, a national security and defense reporter for The Washington Post, sheds light on the turbulent journey of USAID under the Trump administration. The discussion reveals how a freeze on foreign aid has endangered vulnerable populations in places like Mauritania. Ryan explains the growing critiques of USAID's efficiency and its alignment with American interests. She warns of potential global repercussions, including diminished U.S. influence, as the podcast delves into the intricate dynamics of foreign assistance and national security.
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Immediate Impact of Aid Freeze
- The day after the aid freeze, a school in the Mbera refugee camp lost its funding.
- Art therapy programs and services by social psychologists were also cut.
USAID in Political Crosshairs
- The Mbera camp and similar locations are central to the political battle over USAID.
- President Trump and Elon Musk aim to significantly reduce foreign assistance.
USAID's Purpose and History
- USAID, founded in 1961 under President Kennedy, is the foreign assistance arm of the U.S. government.
- It aims to advance American interests and values by providing assistance globally.