Posted on Aug 9, 2016
The U.S. Spends $35 Billion Helping Out The World…
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@ LT Charles Baird offered his perspective on what advice he would provide our senior leaders, and in doing so raised an interesting line of thought. Just how much money is the US providing our allies. As you can see almost $35 Billion dollars in aid last year to 140 nations, and some of these nations have tenuous relationships with the US at best. What are your thoughts, and who should not be on this list? The map says it all or at least what they are willing to share with the public.
The U.S. Spends $35 Billion Helping Out The World…
Posted from howmuch.net
Geopolitics / International Relations
Budget
Advice
Politics
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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Interesting breakdown. I believe the government provides specific funding and in return, Israel buys American military equipment. We buy relationships. If we cut everyone off, we will have 130 more countries that hate America and Russia would be glad to fill the void, as would China. We are indeed caught, but as under President Bush, that funding should come with very closely monitored results. That money should be public knowledge and not be lining pockets of dictators, terrorists or those with appalling human rights records. Diplomacy and money build stability when practiced morally, ethically and remember they all lie.
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Col Rebecca Lorraine
I grew up as the daughter of a foreign service officer. Pakistan and Egypt were part of my childhood, and I had the opportunity to ride a public bus through the khyber pass pre Russian invasion. Where there is a void, it is filled by those who do not like us. Military force is a last resort. Ignoring and withdrawal from global affairs would be our Rome. Although this is my opinion, it is based on a lifetime of experience.
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COL Lee Flemming
Col Rebecca Lorraine thanks for your personal lived perspective. These types of examples really shapes the way we see things. My contention is that the ties to productivity and influence are loose and surely are not binding. Many of these countries take money from Russia and China also! We need to turn off the automatic bill pay on many of these countries; and the funds should be provided by exception and not just because it is a new fiscal year.
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In line with Col Rebecca Lorraine about very closely monitored results...according to News and World Reports in 2014 "Fifty countries that year did not meet the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency. Thirty-nine of those 50 countries — including Afghanistan, Egypt, Haiti, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia — were found not to have made “significant progress” toward meeting those requirements, but will still continue to receive aid. Cutting them off, experts told U.S. News, could have devastating political and strategic consequences." Which begs the question: How devastating is it going to be when the US economy defaults/crashes because we are giving billions to countries that don't need it? Further, why are we giving aid to one of the top 10 richest (GDP Per Capita) countries in the world...Saudi Arabia?
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COL Lee Flemming
Lt Col (Join to see), great run down Dave. You have succinctly captured my sentiments! Some of this really has the look of waste...
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In some cases it is very shocking. The return on investment must be this intangible that only select statesmen understand. "We will only maintain world peace if you pay us." "Democracy is tenuous at best and can only be maintained if you pay us." We will think about democracy if you pay us." We could do a heck of a lot with the money we are just giving away!
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