Andrew Natsios, a former USAID administrator and professor, and Dylan Matthews, a senior correspondent at Vox.com, delve into the issues surrounding the potential dismantling of USAID. They discuss the geopolitical repercussions of reduced funding, highlighting how it could weaken U.S. influence and empower rivals like China. The conversation also tackles the humanitarian crisis stemming from funding cuts, international aid challenges, and the evolution of political support for foreign aid, emphasizing the dangers of a strategy to undermine crucial agencies like USAID.
The dismantling of USAID drastically reduces international humanitarian response capacity, increasing risks of starvation and mass displacement globally.
Targeting USAID reflects a broader political strategy that undermines U.S. influence in the developing world, allowing other nations like China to step in.
Deep dives
Impact of Dismantling USAID
The dismantling of USAID has severe implications for international humanitarian efforts, as the agency plays a critical role in responding to global crises. Historically, USAID has been responsible for 40% of the international humanitarian response, providing essential assistance during famines, civil wars, and natural disasters. With the agency's shutdown, the response capacity for emergencies has significantly decreased, putting vulnerable populations at risk. This has led to predictions of increased starvation and displacement, resulting in mass movements toward already strained borders in Europe and the United States.
Loss of Global Influence
Reducing the capacity of USAID undermines the United States' influence in the developing world, where soft power initiatives have historically fostered positive relations. Countries like South Korea and Taiwan benefited from U.S. scholarship programs, which created pro-American leaders in their nations. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is stepping in to fill the void left by USAID, offering scholarships and cultivating relationships with future leaders. This shift not only weakens U.S. influence but also raises concerns about the emerging global order being shaped by countries with different values.
Political Motivations Behind Cuts
The political motivations behind targeting USAID reflect a broader strategy to dismantle federal agencies deemed as ineffective or unnecessary. The current administration has used USAID as an example to signal potential cuts across various federal departments, targeting programs that lack strong domestic political support. Such drastic measures disregard the unintended consequences, including harm to vulnerable populations worldwide. This hyper-partisanship jeopardizes the overall effectiveness of foreign aid, as its funding becomes subject to the whims of changing political dynamics.
Elon Musk promised to feed "USAID into the wood chipper." The way he's dismantling the agency provides a roadmap for the administration moving forward.
This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Devan Schwartz, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.