USAID and Possible Terrorist Funding

By Douglas Farah

The Chicago Tribune today brings word that USAID, purveyor of billions of dollars in aid around the world, cannot insure the money does not go to terrorist organizations.

It is hard to believe that six years after 9/11, with the amply-documented propensity for terrorist groups to use charities to fund that activities, that the agency:

_cannot "reasonably ensure" that its money does not wind up in terrorist hands, an internal audit has concluded._

The review found that AID had, in fact, funded terrorist-affiliated groups on two occasions, and that, despite operating in countries where terrorism is a major concern, "USAID has not developed or instituted a worldwide anti-terrorism program."

_USAID risks providing funding or other material support and resources to terrorists or terrorist organizations."_

It does seem incredible to me that this was not a high-priority issue over the past six years. This is not to say that aid should be cut off. I am a firm believer that the right kind of foreign aid, properly channeled, can be a huge help, both on humanitarian grounds and to help combat radical Islam and other ideological threats.

But the grants are not just grants, and that is why they must be taken seriously, and seriously vetted. My full blog is here.

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