CargoAdmin, Bureaucrats, Moderators (CommentStreams), fileuploaders, Interface administrators, newuser, Push subscription managers, Suppressors, Administrators
5,223
edits
Agency for International Development: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| (12 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Organization | {{Organization | ||
|OrganizationName= | |OrganizationName=Agency for International Development | ||
|OrganizationType=Independent Agencies | |OrganizationType=Independent Agencies | ||
|Mission= | |Mission=USAID promotes democracy, peace, and prosperity globally, ending poverty and fostering resilient societies while advancing U.S. security. | ||
|ParentOrganization=Department of State | |||
|TopOrganization=Department of State | |||
|CreationLegislation=Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 | |CreationLegislation=Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 | ||
|Employees=10000 | |Employees=10000 | ||
| Line 131: | Line 133: | ||
As countries develop and need less assistance, USAID shrinks and ultimately closes its resident missions. USAID has closed missions in a number of countries that had achieved a substantial level of prosperity, including South Korea,<ref>{{cite web |title=South Korea: From Aid Recipient to Donor |url=https://photos.state.gov/libraries/korea/115197/kimnamhee/Korea%20case%20study%2020110615%20_corrected%2020111027%20TU_%20-%2050th.pdf |publisher=USAID |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> Turkey,<ref>{{cite web |title=Mission Directory |url=https://www.usaid.gov/mission-directory |publisher=USAID |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> and [[Costa Rica – United States relations|Costa Rica]]. | As countries develop and need less assistance, USAID shrinks and ultimately closes its resident missions. USAID has closed missions in a number of countries that had achieved a substantial level of prosperity, including South Korea,<ref>{{cite web |title=South Korea: From Aid Recipient to Donor |url=https://photos.state.gov/libraries/korea/115197/kimnamhee/Korea%20case%20study%2020110615%20_corrected%2020111027%20TU_%20-%2050th.pdf |publisher=USAID |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> Turkey,<ref>{{cite web |title=Mission Directory |url=https://www.usaid.gov/mission-directory |publisher=USAID |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> and [[Costa Rica – United States relations|Costa Rica]]. | ||
USAID also closes missions when requested by host countries for political reasons. In September 2012, the U.S. closed USAID/Russia at that country's request. Its mission in [[Moscow]] had been in operation for two decades.<ref>{{cite news |title=USAID mission in Russia to close following Moscow decision |first=Arshad |last=Mohammed |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-aid-idUSBRE88H11E20120918 |work= | USAID also closes missions when requested by host countries for political reasons. In September 2012, the U.S. closed USAID/Russia at that country's request. Its mission in [[Moscow]] had been in operation for two decades.<ref>{{cite news |title=USAID mission in Russia to close following Moscow decision |first=Arshad |last=Mohammed |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-aid-idUSBRE88H11E20120918 |work=Reuters |date=September 18, 2012 |access-date=September 19, 2012 |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918172926/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/18/us-usa-russia-aid-idUSBRE88H11E20120918 |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 1, 2013, the President of [[Bolivia]], [[Evo Morales]], asked USAID to close its mission, which had worked in the country for 49 years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolivia's President Morales expels USAID, accused it of working against him |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/bolivias-president-morales-expels-usaid-accused-it-of-working-against-him/2013/05/01/00e1ce28-b263-11e2-9fb1-62de9581c946_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501161502/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/bolivias-president-morales-expels-usaid-accused-it-of-working-against-him/2013/05/01/00e1ce28-b263-11e2-9fb1-62de9581c946_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 1, 2013 |agency=[[Washington Post]] |date=May 1, 2013}}</ref> The closure was completed on September 20, 2013. | ||
USAID missions are led by Mission Directors and are staffed both by USAID [[Foreign Service Officers]] and by development professionals from the country itself, with the host-country professionals forming the majority of the staff. The length of a Foreign Service Officer's "tour" in most countries is four years, to provide enough time to develop in-depth knowledge about the country. (Shorter tours of one or two years are usual in countries of exceptional hardship or danger.)<ref>{{cite web |title=ADS Chapter 436: Foreign Service Assignments and Tours of Duty |url=https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1877/436.pdf |publisher=USAID |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=May 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504131439/https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1877/436.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | USAID missions are led by Mission Directors and are staffed both by USAID [[Foreign Service Officers]] and by development professionals from the country itself, with the host-country professionals forming the majority of the staff. The length of a Foreign Service Officer's "tour" in most countries is four years, to provide enough time to develop in-depth knowledge about the country. (Shorter tours of one or two years are usual in countries of exceptional hardship or danger.)<ref>{{cite web |title=ADS Chapter 436: Foreign Service Assignments and Tours of Duty |url=https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1877/436.pdf |publisher=USAID |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=May 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504131439/https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1877/436.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
The Mission Director is a member of the U.S. Embassy's "Country Team" under the direction of the U.S. Ambassador.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dorman |first1=Shawn |title=Foreign Service Work and Life: Embassy, Employee, Family |url=http://afsa.org/sites/default/files/iuse_country_team_local_staff_role.pdf |publisher=American Foreign Service Association |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> As a USAID mission works in an unclassified environment with relative frequent public interaction, most missions were initially located in independent offices in the business districts of capital cities. Since the passage of the Foreign Affairs Agencies Consolidation Act in 1998 and the [[1998 United States embassy bombings|bombings of U.S. Embassy chanceries]] in east Africa in the same year, missions have gradually been moved into U.S. Embassy chancery compounds. | The Mission Director is a member of the U.S. Embassy's "Country Team" under the direction of the U.S. Ambassador.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dorman |first1=Shawn |title=Foreign Service Work and Life: Embassy, Employee, Family |url=http://afsa.org/sites/default/files/iuse_country_team_local_staff_role.pdf |publisher=American Foreign Service Association |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> As a USAID mission works in an unclassified environment with relative frequent public interaction, most missions were initially located in independent offices in the business districts of capital cities. Since the passage of the Foreign Affairs Agencies Consolidation Act in 1998 and the [[1998 United States embassy bombings|bombings of U.S. Embassy chanceries]] in east Africa in the same year, missions have gradually been moved into U.S. Embassy chancery compounds. | ||
===Sub-organizations=== | |||
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) operates with various sub-organizations or bureaus to manage its diverse portfolio of international development and humanitarian assistance programs. These bureaus are responsible for overseeing specific geographic regions, thematic areas, or special initiatives. USAID also coordinates with other U.S. government agencies and maintains field missions in over 100 countries, which are not sub-organizations per se but are integral to its operational structure. | |||
* [[Bureau for Africa]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Asia]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Europe and Eurasia]] | |||
* [[Bureau for the Middle East]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Global Health]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Food Security]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization]] | |||
* [[Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning]] | |||
* [[Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance]] (OFDA) | |||
* [[Office of Transition Initiatives]] (OTI) | |||
* [[Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships]] | |||
* [[American Schools and Hospitals Abroad]] (ASHA) | |||
* [[Office of Innovation and Development Alliances]] | |||
===USAID/Washington=== | ===USAID/Washington=== | ||
| Line 358: | Line 381: | ||
====Eisenhower administration==== | ====Eisenhower administration==== | ||
In 1953, the administration of Pres. | In 1953, the administration of Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower took office. The President's party, which had been out of the White House since 1933,<ref>The only times the Republican Party had a majority in either house of Congress in the 48-year span from 1933 to 1981 was in 1947-1949 when it enjoyed small majorities in both houses in the 80th Congress under Pres. Truman and in 1953-1955 when it had majorities in both houses of the 83rd Congress under Pres. Eisenhower.</ref> took a critical view of the previous administrations' policies, including both the globalizing policies of the 1940s and the New Deal initiatives of the 1930s.<ref>The New Deal's Tennessee Valley Authority was the model for some major development assistance projects. See Ekbladh (2002).</ref> | ||
An overall goal of the new administration was to administer the government efficiently and cut spending.<ref>Kaufman (1982), p. 14.</ref> While TCA's technical assistance to developing countries was a small budget item and was considered a long-term program (although fresh funds were appropriated annually), "economic assistance" (or "defense support") was considered an inherently short-term measure.<ref>Bingham (1953), p. 38.</ref> In place of U.S. economic assistance, the Eisenhower administration proposed that U.S. allies should increasingly finance themselves through their own exports: in other words, through "trade not aid".<ref>Kaufman (1982), ch. 2, pp. 12–33.</ref> With respect to financial assistance for developing countries, the policy was maintained that it should be provided primarily by the U.S. Export-Import Bank and by the World Bank,<ref>U.S. documents of the 1950s usually referred to the World Bank as "the International Bank."</ref> and that it should be available only on commercial terms and primarily to finance private investment.<ref>Glick (1957), pp. 130–136: "The Relation of Technical Co-operation to Economic Aid."</ref> | An overall goal of the new administration was to administer the government efficiently and cut spending.<ref>Kaufman (1982), p. 14.</ref> While TCA's technical assistance to developing countries was a small budget item and was considered a long-term program (although fresh funds were appropriated annually), "economic assistance" (or "defense support") was considered an inherently short-term measure.<ref>Bingham (1953), p. 38.</ref> In place of U.S. economic assistance, the Eisenhower administration proposed that U.S. allies should increasingly finance themselves through their own exports: in other words, through "trade not aid".<ref>Kaufman (1982), ch. 2, pp. 12–33.</ref> With respect to financial assistance for developing countries, the policy was maintained that it should be provided primarily by the U.S. Export-Import Bank and by the World Bank,<ref>U.S. documents of the 1950s usually referred to the World Bank as "the International Bank."</ref> and that it should be available only on commercial terms and primarily to finance private investment.<ref>Glick (1957), pp. 130–136: "The Relation of Technical Co-operation to Economic Aid."</ref> | ||
| Line 414: | Line 437: | ||
===New Directions Act=== | ===New Directions Act=== | ||
In the late 1960s, foreign aid became one of the focal points in Legislative-Executive differences over the | In the late 1960s, foreign aid became one of the focal points in Legislative-Executive differences over the Vietnam War.<ref>Ruttan (1996). pp. 107–108.</ref> In September 1970, [[Richard M. Nixon|President Nixon]] proposed abolishing USAID and replacing it with three new institutions: one for development loans, one for technical assistance and research, and one for trade, investment and financial policy.<ref>See Pres. Nixon's April 1971 message to Congress: {{cite web|title=For a Generation of Peaceful Development|url=http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pcaaa603.pdf|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref> USAID's field missions would have been eliminated in the new institutional setup.<ref>See the "Peterson Report": {{cite web|title=Report to the President from the Task Force on International Development|url=http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNABH264.pdf|access-date=22 May 2017|page=36}}</ref> Consistent with this approach, in early 1971 President Nixon transferred the administration of private investment programs from USAID to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which had been established by foreign aid legislation at the end of 1969. | ||
Congress did not act on the President's proposal for replacing USAID but rather amended the Foreign Assistance Act to direct that USAID emphasize "Basic Human Needs": food and nutrition; population planning and health; and education and human resources development. Specifically, USAID's budget would be reformed to account for expenditures for each of these Basic Human Needs, a system referred to as "functional accounts". (Previously, budgets had been divided between categories such as "development loans, technical assistance, [[Alliance for Progress]] [for Latin America], loans and grants, and population.")<ref>Ruttan (1996). pp. 94, 98–100, 543 fn. 2.</ref> The new system was based on a proposal developed by a bipartisan group of House members and staff working with USAID management and outside advisors.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Butterfield|title=U.S. Development Aid|pages=177–179}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Pastor|first1=Robert A.|title=Congress and the Politics of U.S. Foreign Economic Policy 1929–1976|date=1980|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA|isbn=0-520-03904-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/congresspolitics0000past/page/278 278–279]|url=https://archive.org/details/congresspolitics0000past/page/278}}</ref> President Nixon signed the New Directions Act into law (PL 93-189) in December 1973. | Congress did not act on the President's proposal for replacing USAID but rather amended the Foreign Assistance Act to direct that USAID emphasize "Basic Human Needs": food and nutrition; population planning and health; and education and human resources development. Specifically, USAID's budget would be reformed to account for expenditures for each of these Basic Human Needs, a system referred to as "functional accounts". (Previously, budgets had been divided between categories such as "development loans, technical assistance, [[Alliance for Progress]] [for Latin America], loans and grants, and population.")<ref>Ruttan (1996). pp. 94, 98–100, 543 fn. 2.</ref> The new system was based on a proposal developed by a bipartisan group of House members and staff working with USAID management and outside advisors.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Butterfield|title=U.S. Development Aid|pages=177–179}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Pastor|first1=Robert A.|title=Congress and the Politics of U.S. Foreign Economic Policy 1929–1976|date=1980|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA|isbn=0-520-03904-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/congresspolitics0000past/page/278 278–279]|url=https://archive.org/details/congresspolitics0000past/page/278}}</ref> President Nixon signed the New Directions Act into law (PL 93-189) in December 1973. | ||
| Line 525: | Line 548: | ||
A USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba in 2009 for distributing satellite equipment to provide Cubans with internet access. The subcontractor was released during Obama's second presidential term as part of the measures to improve relations between the two countries.<ref name="guardian030821">{{cite web |last1=Augustin |first1=Ed |last2=Montero |first2=Daniel |title=Why the internet in Cuba has become a US political hot potato |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/03/why-the-internet-in-cuba-has-become-a-us-political-hot-potato |website=the Guardian |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en |date=3 August 2021}}</ref> | A USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba in 2009 for distributing satellite equipment to provide Cubans with internet access. The subcontractor was released during Obama's second presidential term as part of the measures to improve relations between the two countries.<ref name="guardian030821">{{cite web |last1=Augustin |first1=Ed |last2=Montero |first2=Daniel |title=Why the internet in Cuba has become a US political hot potato |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/03/why-the-internet-in-cuba-has-become-a-us-political-hot-potato |website=the Guardian |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en |date=3 August 2021}}</ref> | ||
USAID has been used as a mechanism for "hastening transition", i.e. [[regime change]] in Cuba.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/122217408/USAID-DAI-Contract|title=USAID DAI Contract - United States Agency For International Development - Cuba|website=Scribd}}</ref> Between 2009 and 2012, USAID ran a multimillion-dollar program, disguised as humanitarian aid and aimed at inciting rebellion in Cuba. The program consisted of two operations: one to establish an anti-regime [[social network]] called [[ZunZuneo]], and the other to attract potential dissidents contacted by undercover operatives posing as tourists and aid workers.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba>{{cite news|title=USAID programme used young Latin Americans to incite Cuba rebellion|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/04/usaid-latin-americans-cuba-rebellion-hiv-workshops|work= | USAID has been used as a mechanism for "hastening transition", i.e. [[regime change]] in Cuba.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/122217408/USAID-DAI-Contract|title=USAID DAI Contract - United States Agency For International Development - Cuba|website=Scribd}}</ref> Between 2009 and 2012, USAID ran a multimillion-dollar program, disguised as humanitarian aid and aimed at inciting rebellion in Cuba. The program consisted of two operations: one to establish an anti-regime [[social network]] called [[ZunZuneo]], and the other to attract potential dissidents contacted by undercover operatives posing as tourists and aid workers.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba>{{cite news|title=USAID programme used young Latin Americans to incite Cuba rebellion|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/04/usaid-latin-americans-cuba-rebellion-hiv-workshops|work=The Guardian|date=4 August 2014|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="guardian030414">{{cite news |title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest and undermine government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/03/us-cuban-twitter-zunzuneo-stir-unrest |access-date=30 July 2020 |work=the Guardian |agency=AP |date=3 April 2014 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
USAID engineered a subversive program using social media aimed at fueling political unrest in [[Cuba]] to overthrow the Cuban government. On 3 April 2014 the | USAID engineered a subversive program using social media aimed at fueling political unrest in [[Cuba]] to overthrow the Cuban government. On 3 April 2014 the Associated Press published an investigative report that revealed USAID was behind the creation of a social networking text messaging service aimed at creating political dissent and triggering an uprising against the Cuban government.<ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news|title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest|url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-cuba-united-states-government-904a9a6a1bcd46cebfc14bea2ee30fdf|access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> The name of the messaging network was ZunZuneo, a Cuban slang term for a hummingbird's tweet and a play on '[[Twitter]]'. According to the AP's report, the plan was to build an audience by initially presenting non-controversial content like sports, music and weather. Once a critical mass of users was reached the US government operators would change the content to spark political dissent and mobilize the users into organized political gatherings called 'smart mobs' that would trigger an uprising against the Cuban government.<ref name="Associated Press"/> | ||
The messaging service was launched in 2010 and gained 40,000 followers at its peak. Extensive efforts were made to conceal the USAID involvement in the program, using offshore bank accounts, front companies and servers based overseas.<ref>{{cite news|title=White House denies 'Cuban Twitter' ZunZuneo programme was covert | The messaging service was launched in 2010 and gained 40,000 followers at its peak. Extensive efforts were made to conceal the USAID involvement in the program, using offshore bank accounts, front companies and servers based overseas.<ref>{{cite news|title=White House denies 'Cuban Twitter' ZunZuneo programme was covert | ||
| Line 537: | Line 560: | ||
USAID officials realized they needed an exit strategy to conceal their involvement in the program, at one point seeking funding from [[Jack Dorsey]], the Twitter co-founder, as part of a plan for it to go independent.<ref name="Associated Press"/> The service was abruptly closed down around mid-2012, which USAID said was due to the program running out of money.<ref>{{cite web|title=US government harassed Castro with a fake Twitter service|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/3/5577254/us-created-cuban-twitter-to-fuel-anti-castro-dissidence-ap|website=The Verge|date=April 3, 2014|access-date=5 April 2014}}</ref> | USAID officials realized they needed an exit strategy to conceal their involvement in the program, at one point seeking funding from [[Jack Dorsey]], the Twitter co-founder, as part of a plan for it to go independent.<ref name="Associated Press"/> The service was abruptly closed down around mid-2012, which USAID said was due to the program running out of money.<ref>{{cite web|title=US government harassed Castro with a fake Twitter service|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/3/5577254/us-created-cuban-twitter-to-fuel-anti-castro-dissidence-ap|website=The Verge|date=April 3, 2014|access-date=5 April 2014}}</ref> | ||
The ZunZuneo operation was part of a program that included a second operation which started in October 2009 and was financed jointly with ZunZuneo. In the second operation USAid sent Venezuelan, Costa Rican and Peruvian youngsters to Cuba to recruit Cubans into anti-regime political activities. The operatives posed as traveling aid workers and tourists. In one of the covert operations, the workers formed a [[HIV prevention]] workshop, which leaked memos called "the perfect excuse" for the programme's political goals. '' | The ZunZuneo operation was part of a program that included a second operation which started in October 2009 and was financed jointly with ZunZuneo. In the second operation USAid sent Venezuelan, Costa Rican and Peruvian youngsters to Cuba to recruit Cubans into anti-regime political activities. The operatives posed as traveling aid workers and tourists. In one of the covert operations, the workers formed a [[HIV prevention]] workshop, which leaked memos called "the perfect excuse" for the programme's political goals. ''The Guardian'' said the operation could undermine US efforts to work toward improving health globally.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba /> | ||
The operation was also criticized for putting the undercover operatives themselves at risk. The covert operatives were given limited training about evading Cuban authorities suspicious of their actions. After [[Alan Gross]], a development specialist and USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba, the US government warned USAID about the safety of covert operatives. Regardless of safety concerns, USAID refused to end the operation.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba /> | The operation was also criticized for putting the undercover operatives themselves at risk. The covert operatives were given limited training about evading Cuban authorities suspicious of their actions. After [[Alan Gross]], a development specialist and USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba, the US government warned USAID about the safety of covert operatives. Regardless of safety concerns, USAID refused to end the operation.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba /> | ||
| Line 556: | Line 579: | ||
===Palestinian territories=== | ===Palestinian territories=== | ||
USAID ended all its projects in the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip]] on January 31, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/USAID-to-end-all-Palestinian-projects-on-Jan-31-former-director-says-577797|title='USAID to end all Palestinian projects on Jan. 31,' former director says - Arab-Israeli Conflict - Jerusalem Post|website=jpost.com|date=January 17, 2019 }}</ref> On November 10, 2023, more than 1,000 employees of USAID signed an open letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war|Israel–Hamas war]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pamuk |first1=Humeyra |last2=Lewis |first2=Simon |title=Over 1,000 USAID officials call for Gaza ceasefire in letter |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/over-1000-usaid-officials-call-gaza-ceasefire-letter-2023-11-10/ |publisher= | USAID ended all its projects in the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip]] on January 31, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/USAID-to-end-all-Palestinian-projects-on-Jan-31-former-director-says-577797|title='USAID to end all Palestinian projects on Jan. 31,' former director says - Arab-Israeli Conflict - Jerusalem Post|website=jpost.com|date=January 17, 2019 }}</ref> On November 10, 2023, more than 1,000 employees of USAID signed an open letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war|Israel–Hamas war]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pamuk |first1=Humeyra |last2=Lewis |first2=Simon |title=Over 1,000 USAID officials call for Gaza ceasefire in letter |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/over-1000-usaid-officials-call-gaza-ceasefire-letter-2023-11-10/ |publisher=Reuters |date=10 November 2023 }}</ref> | ||
== Public–Private Partnerships == | == Public–Private Partnerships == | ||
| Line 571: | Line 594: | ||
USAID states that "U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world." Non-government organization watch groups have noted that as much as 40% of aid to Afghanistan has found its way back to donor countries through awarding contracts at inflated costs.<ref>Richard Norton-Taylor [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/25/afghanistan.internationalaidanddevelopment1 40% of Afghan aid returns to donor countries, says report] ''guardian.co.uk'' 25 March 2008</ref> | USAID states that "U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world." Non-government organization watch groups have noted that as much as 40% of aid to Afghanistan has found its way back to donor countries through awarding contracts at inflated costs.<ref>Richard Norton-Taylor [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/25/afghanistan.internationalaidanddevelopment1 40% of Afghan aid returns to donor countries, says report] ''guardian.co.uk'' 25 March 2008</ref> | ||
Although USAID officially selects contractors on a competitive and objective basis, watch dog groups, politicians, foreign governments and corporations have occasionally accused the agency of allowing its bidding process to be unduly influenced by the political and financial interests of its current presidential administration. Under the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]], for instance, it emerged that all five implementing partners selected to bid on a $600 million Iraq reconstruction contract enjoyed close ties to the administration.<ref>Barbara Slavin [https://www.usatoday.com/money/world/iraq/2003-04-17-iraqdeal_x.htm Another Iraq deal rewards company with connections] '' | Although USAID officially selects contractors on a competitive and objective basis, watch dog groups, politicians, foreign governments and corporations have occasionally accused the agency of allowing its bidding process to be unduly influenced by the political and financial interests of its current presidential administration. Under the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]], for instance, it emerged that all five implementing partners selected to bid on a $600 million Iraq reconstruction contract enjoyed close ties to the administration.<ref>Barbara Slavin [https://www.usatoday.com/money/world/iraq/2003-04-17-iraqdeal_x.htm Another Iraq deal rewards company with connections] ''USA Today'' 4/17/2003</ref><ref>{{cite web | first1=Mark | last1=Tran | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/mar/31/iraq.usnews | title=Halliburton misses $600m Iraq contract | work=The Guardian | date = 31 March 2003}}</ref> | ||
===Political operations abroad=== | ===Political operations abroad=== | ||
| Line 581: | Line 604: | ||
In 2008, Benjamin Dangl wrote in ''[[The Progressive]]'' that the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] was using USAID to fund efforts in Bolivia to "undermine the [[Evo Morales|Morales]] government and coopt the country’s dynamic social movements—just as it has tried to do recently in Venezuela and traditionally throughout Latin America".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dangl |first1=Benjamin |title=Undermining Bolivia |url=http://www.progressive.org/mag_dangl0208 |website=Progressive.org |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en-us |date=1 February 2008}}</ref> | In 2008, Benjamin Dangl wrote in ''[[The Progressive]]'' that the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] was using USAID to fund efforts in Bolivia to "undermine the [[Evo Morales|Morales]] government and coopt the country’s dynamic social movements—just as it has tried to do recently in Venezuela and traditionally throughout Latin America".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dangl |first1=Benjamin |title=Undermining Bolivia |url=http://www.progressive.org/mag_dangl0208 |website=Progressive.org |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en-us |date=1 February 2008}}</ref> | ||
From 2010 to 2012, the agency operated a social media site similar to [[Twitter]] in an attempt to instigate uprisings against the Cuban government. Its involvement was concealed in order to ensure mission success. The plan was to draw in users with non-controversial content until a [[Critical mass (sociodynamics)|critical mass]] is reached, after which more political messaging would be introduced. At its peak, more than 40,000 unsuspecting Cubans interacted on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2014-04-03 |title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest and undermine government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/03/us-cuban-twitter-zunzuneo-stir-unrest |access-date=2024-09-06 |work= | From 2010 to 2012, the agency operated a social media site similar to [[Twitter]] in an attempt to instigate uprisings against the Cuban government. Its involvement was concealed in order to ensure mission success. The plan was to draw in users with non-controversial content until a [[Critical mass (sociodynamics)|critical mass]] is reached, after which more political messaging would be introduced. At its peak, more than 40,000 unsuspecting Cubans interacted on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2014-04-03 |title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest and undermine government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/03/us-cuban-twitter-zunzuneo-stir-unrest |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> | ||
In the summer of 2012, [[Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas|ALBA]] countries ([[Venezuela]], [[Cuba]], [[Ecuador]], [[Bolivia]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Dominica]], [[Antigua]] and [[Barbuda]]) called on its members to expel USAID from their countries.<ref name="NBC News 2014">{{cite web | title=After More Than 50 Years, USAID Is Leaving Ecuador | website=NBC News | date=2014-10-01 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/after-more-50-years-usaid-leaving-ecuador-n215621 | access-date=2021-10-11}}</ref> | In the summer of 2012, [[Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas|ALBA]] countries ([[Venezuela]], [[Cuba]], [[Ecuador]], [[Bolivia]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Dominica]], [[Antigua]] and [[Barbuda]]) called on its members to expel USAID from their countries.<ref name="NBC News 2014">{{cite web | title=After More Than 50 Years, USAID Is Leaving Ecuador | website=NBC News | date=2014-10-01 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/after-more-50-years-usaid-leaving-ecuador-n215621 | access-date=2021-10-11}}</ref> | ||
| Line 682: | Line 705: | ||
{{International development agencies|state=expanded}} | {{International development agencies|state=expanded}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||