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The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) serves as a central pillar of American foreign policy, allocating nearly $43.8 billion in 2023 alone—more than two-thirds of the State Department’s total budget. Despite its size and influence, USAID operates largely independently of direct oversight from the State Department, established as an autonomous agency in 1961 to enable swift responses to crises worldwide.
However, this independence introduces notable challenges. Managing missions in over 100 countries, many of which are unstable, makes tracking funds extremely complex. Funding flows not only through USAID but also via the Defense and Treasury Departments, further complicating oversight and raising concerns about inefficiencies, waste, and fraud.