Foreign Aid: An Introduction to U.S. Programs and Policy

"Foreign assistance is a fundamental component of the international affairs budget and is viewed by many as an essential instrument of U.S. foreign policy. On the basis of national security, commercial, and humanitarian rationales, U.S. assistance flows through many federal agencies and supports myriad objectives, including promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, improving governance, expanding access to health care and education, promoting stability in conflictive regions, countering terrorism, promoting human rights, strengthening allies, and curbing illicit drug production and trafficking. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, foreign aid has increasingly been associated with national security policy. At the same time, foreign aid is seen by many Americans, and Members of Congress, as an expense that the United States cannot afford given current budget deficits..."
Foreign Aid

Foreign Aid: An Introduction to U.S. Programs and Policy
"...This report provides an overview of the U.S. foreign assistance program by answering frequently
asked questions on the subject. It is intended to provide a broad view of foreign assistance over
time, and will be updated periodically. For more current information on foreign aid funding
levels, see CRS reports on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations."

Afghanistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance
"The U.S. program of assistance to Afghanistan is intended to stabilize and strengthen the Afghan
economic, social, political, and security environment so as to blunt popular support for extremist
forces in the region. Since 2001, nearly $48 billion has been appropriated toward this effort.

More than half of U.S. assistance—roughly 57%—has gone to the training and equipping of
Afghan forces. The remainder has gone to development and humanitarian-related activities from
infrastructure to private sector support, governance and democratization efforts, and counternarcotics programs.

Key U.S. agencies providing aid are the Department of Defense, the Agency for International
Development, and the Department of State..."

Afghanistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance
"The U.S. program of assistance to Afghanistan is intended to stabilize and strengthen the Afghan
economic, social, political, and security environment so as to blunt popular support for extremist
forces in the region. Since 2001, nearly $38 billion has been appropriated toward this effort.

More than half of U.S. assistance—roughly 54%—has gone to security programs, mostly the
training and equipping of Afghan forces. Another 32% has gone to development and
humanitarian-related activities from infrastructure to private sector support. About 5% has been
targeted at governance and democratization efforts. More than 9% has been directed to counternarcotics
programs.

Key U.S. agencies providing aid are the Department of Defense (56% of aid), the Agency for
International Development (28%), the Department of State (14%), and the Department of
Agriculture (1%)..."

Foreign Aid: An Introduction to U.S. Programs and Policy
"Foreign assistance is a fundamental component of the international affairs budget and is viewed by many as an essential instrument of U.S. foreign policy. The focus of U.S. foreign aid policy has been transformed since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This report provides an overview of the U.S. foreign aid program, by answering frequently asked questions on the subject."

Comparing Global Influence: China’s and U.S. Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Trade, and Investment in the Developing World
"This report compares the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) and U.S.
projections of global influence, with an emphasis on non-coercive means or “soft
power,” and suggests ways to think about U.S. foreign policy options in light of
China’s emergence. Part One discusses U.S. foreign policy interests, China’s rising
influence, and its implications for the United States. Part Two compares the global
public images of the two countries and describes PRC and U.S. uses of soft power
tools, such as public diplomacy, state diplomacy, and foreign assistance. It also
examines other forms of soft power such as military diplomacy, global trade and
investment, and sovereign wealth funds. In Part Three, the report analyzes PRC and
U.S. diplomatic and economic activities in five developing regions — Southeast
Asia, Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America."