As the U.S. Exits Foreign Aid, Who Will Fill the Gap?

China could reap the soft-power advantage, but like Western governments, the country is cutting back on aid. Philanthropies say they cannot replace the United States.

Topics

The Influence of Foreign Aid

America is losing a diplomatic tool the government has relied on for decades.
The New York Times - 2d
The F.B.I.’s New Boss, and the Foreign Aid Fallout

Plus, a James Bond takeover.
The New York Times - 2d
Lessons in foreign aid from a trip to Uganda

When President Trump and Elon Mask brought the shutters down on USAID, I was reminded of things I had seen and heard in Uganda last month while conducting development research there — things that ...
The Hill - 2d
No Exit

About 300 migrants from all around the world were deported from the United States to Panama. There, they were trapped in a hotel, facing a choice of whether to return to places they had fled.
The New York Times - 9h
Ecuador will seek foreign military aid to combat drug cartels as violence surges

The government of Ecuador has taken another step in its effort to gain help from foreign military forces to combat drug cartels and various organized crime groups
ABC News - 3d
Isolated in 'harsh conditions:' Deportee from US details legal limbo in Panama camp near Darien Gap

A deportee from the United States detained in a camp in rural Panama, among a hundred who refused to return to their countries, has described waiting in limbo under “harsh conditions” and cut off ...
ABC News - 18h
Trump's foreign aid freeze halted a crucial program fighting HIV in Africa. Here's what's at stake

The freeze on U.S. foreign aid ordered by President Donald Trump has effectively halted one of the world's most successful responses to a disease
ABC News - 3d
Trump administration hasn't complied with order to halt foreign aid freeze, judge says

The Trump administration has not fully complied with a court order pausing the freezing of foreign assistance grants and contracts, a federal judge ruled.
NBC News - 2d
As Israel uses US-made AI models in war, concerns arise about tech’s role in who lives and who dies

U.S. tech giants have quietly empowered Israel to track and kill many more alleged militants more quickly in Gaza and Lebanon through a sharp spike in artificial intelligence and computing services
ABC News - 5d
G20 meeting of foreign ministers gets underway in South Africa amid tensions with US

Foreign ministers from G20 countries will meet in Johannesburg on Thursday, but U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend amid diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the U.S. ...
ABC News - 3d
Taiwan holds its breath as Trump turns on Ukraine and upends US foreign policy

The mood in Taipei is one of wariness as the new US president takes a blowtorch to diplomatic norms and assurances. It’s a bustling morning at the Dongmen wet market, in inner-city Taipei. Mr Yu is ...
The Guardian - 2d
China supports 'recent consensus' between US and Russia on Ukraine war, foreign minister says

China supports “the recent consensus” between the U.S. and Russia on the war in Ukraine, said Wang Yi, the country’s foreign minister, amid ongoing discussions about bringing an end to the nearly ...
The Hill - 2d
US aid freeze puts HIV-positive orphans in Kenya at risk as medical supplies dwindle

A U.S. aid freeze is threatening the lives of HIV-positive orphans at Nyumbani Children’s Home in Nairobi
ABC News - 2d
Who's who in German elections and why this vote is important

German voters go to the polls on Sunday in a pivotal vote focused on immigration, security and the economy.
BBC News - 1d
10 questions for the 2025 MLS season: Will Lionel Messi, Inter Miami win MLS Cup after early exit in 2024?

The 2025 MLS season begins on Saturday, and here are 10 questions as the season gets underway
CBS Sports - 2d
German election live: Centre-right CDU/CSU wins, say exit polls

Far-right Alternative for Germany records best result with close to 20 per cent of the vote
Financial Times - 6h
Germany's conservatives win election, as far-right AfD leaps to second place, exit polls show

The Christian Democratic Union and its allied Christian Social Union secured the largest share of votes in the German federal election, exit polls show.
CNBC - 4h
German conservatives lead election with far-right AfD in second place, exit polls show

Polls are open across Germany as the world’s third largest economy chooses a new leader to guide it through an era of febrile immigration debates and souring relations with Washington.
NBC News - 1h
Vance: Biggest threat to Europe is influx of 'unvetted foreign migrants'

During an appearance at CPAC, Vice President JD Vance said he believed the "biggest threat" to countries in Europe was "unvetted foreign migrants," and criticized the Biden administration for its ...
NBC News - 3d
Trump Dismantles Government Fight Against Foreign Influence Operations

Dozens of employees who had been working to fight foreign interference in U.S. elections have been reassigned or forced out, according to current and former officials.
The New York Times - 3d
In foreign policy, Trump needs to be more like Reagan, less like Biden

The Biden administration's reluctance to take action against Russia in Ukraine has been criticized, while Trump's new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made similar rookie mistakes, potentially ...
The Hill - 1d
Trump-Putin summit preparations underway, Russian foreign minister says

The U.S. offered a draft U.N. resolution that stops far short of a competing European-backed statement demanding an immediate withdrawal of all of Moscow's forces from Ukraine.
CBS News - 1d
Fresh executive order targets sanctuary cities, federal aid for undocumented migrants

The action marks Trump’s latest attempt to crack down on illegal immigration.
Politico - 3d
International aid groups axe thousands of jobs in wake of Trump funding freeze

Fears that cuts will ‘decimate’ ability to react to crises as sector loses expertise and skills at every level, report finds. Some of the world’s largest aid organisations are axing thousands of ...
The Guardian - 2d
Daughter of aid worker beheaded by ISIS reads final texts at trial

Bethany Haines read out the last text message she would ever receive from her father, David Haines, before he was abducted and killed by ISIS over a decade ago.
CBS News - 2d
USAID aid freeze triggers health care crisis in Africa

USAID's 90-day freeze on all services has resulted in a significant loss of trust, critical health care, food aid, and medical supplies, causing life-threatening consequences for Malawian patients, ...
The Hill - 2d
Israel closes main crossing for aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip

Yahoo News - 2d
Trump administration resumes legal aid for unaccompanied migrant children

Groups like Acacia and Kids in Need of Defense called the stop-worker "devastating."
ABC News - 2d
California wildfire aid will come with 'strings,' says Trump envoy Grenell

The Trump administration will place “strings” on the recovery assistance it gives to California after the state faced deadly wildfires, Trump envoy Richard Grenell said Friday. “The federal ...
The Hill - 2d
Trump administration restores legal aid for unaccompanied immigrant children

A stop-work order had been issued to government-funded attorneys to cease counsel for about 26,000 minors. The Trump administration has rescinded its decision to cut off legal aid for ...
The Guardian - 1d
Anger as aid worker dies after DR Congo shooting

Yahoo News - 1d
Trump Appointees Fire Hundreds at U.S.A.I.D. Working on Urgent Aid

The firings added to doubts about whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the agency’s acting head, supports lifesaving humanitarian assistance, as he has said he does.
The New York Times - 19h
Trump’s assault on aid sparks chaos in east Africa’s relief hub

Kenya’s economy and healthcare system are reeling from president’s bid to shut down USAID
Financial Times - 17h
Estonia promises military aid worth €100 million for Ukraine

Yahoo News - 13h
William at his lowest after Kate's diagnosis, says ex-aide

Jason Knauf says the Prince of Wales was deeply affected by the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis.
BBC News - 6h
Who Will Stand Up to Trump on Ukraine?

In their silence, Republicans are betraying the Ukrainians, national security and their own party’s values.
The New York Times - 1d
Who Are the 6 Freed Israeli Hostages?

Two of the captives had been in the hands of Hamas for about 10 years. The rest were taken during the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The New York Times - 1d
Who’s afraid of the big, bad sabbatical?

Not as many hard-charging banks as you might think
Financial Times - 17h
Defending Europe without the US

European capitals are attempting to fill the security gap
Financial Times - 2d