Dashboard visualizing USAID's domestic ROI & strategic benefits

@selfatonements @schachin @elonmusk Here are at least 10 reasons: 1. National Security and Countering Adversaries. Prevents conflicts and reduces the need for costly U.S. military interventions by addressing root causes of instability (poverty, poor governance, disease, food insecurity). Counters Chinese and Russian influence: USAID programs in Africa, Latin America, Indo-Pacific, and Eastern Europe have repeatedly blocked or slowed Beijing’s and Moscow’s strategic inroads (e.g., Belt and Road debt-trap diplomacy). Stabilized post-conflict environments where U.S. troops fought (Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia’s Plan Colombia), reducing long-term U.S. military presence and casualties. 2. Economic and Commercial Benefits: (“Buy American” and Market Creation)≈80–93% of USAID contracts and grants return to U.S. companies, universities, and NGOs (statutory requirement). In FY 2023, of the $43 billion USAID budget, roughly $35–38 billion was spent on American firms and workers. Creates and expands foreign markets for U.S. goods: Countries that receive sustained USAID assistance (South Korea, Taiwan, Chile, Botswana, Colombia, Indonesia—later become major U.S. trading partners. Agricultural development programs (Green Revolution technologies, drought-resistant seeds) open new markets for U.S. seed, fertilizer, and farm equipment companies. 3. Diplomatic Leverage and Soft Power: Generates goodwill that translates into votes at the United Nations and support on U.S. priorities (e.g., post-9/11 counterterrorism resolutions, sanctions on Iran/North Korea, recognition of Israel). Countries receiving major USAID assistance almost always align with the U.S. on critical UN votes (e.g., Ukraine-related resolutions 2022–2025). 4. Intelligence and Strategic Access: USAID officers and implementing partners often have unparalleled on-the-ground access in fragile states, providing early warning of terrorist activity, pandemics, coups, and migration drivers. Close collaboration with the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community in permissive and semi-permissive environments (e.g., the “3D” approach—Defense, Diplomacy, Development). 5. Migration Control: Development assistance in Central America’s Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) and Haiti has measurably reduced illegal migration pressure on the U.S. southern border. Vice President Harris’s 2021 “Root Causes Strategy” was essentially a large-scale USAID-led effort. Economic opportunity programs in West Africa and the Sahel reduce recruitment by migrant-smuggling networks. 6. Global Health Security (Protecting Americans at Home) USAID was the largest bilateral donor to global health ($4–5 billion annually). Detected and helped contain HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika, COVID-19, and avian influenza before they became larger threats to the U.S. homeland. PEPFAR (initiated 2003, largely implemented by USAID) prevented an estimated 25 million deaths and stabilized entire societies, preventing state collapse that could have produced refugee flows or terrorist safe havens. 7. Energy and Critical Minerals Security: Power Africa initiative (launched 2013) added >14,000 MW of electricity and 80 million connections, creating stable environments for U.S. investors and reducing Chinese dominance in African energy infrastructure. Programs in Congo, Guinea, and Namibia support responsible mining of cobalt, graphite, and rare earths needed for U.S. electric vehicles and defense systems. 8. Food Security and U.S. Agricultural Export Promotion: Feed the Future initiative increased agricultural productivity in target countries, but also created demand for U.S. wheat, soy, and poultry when local production still falls short. Food aid (Title II) is almost entirely U.S.-grown commodities, supporting American farmers and the U.S. maritime industry (cargo preference laws). 9. Disaster Response and U.S. Leadership Image: USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA, now BHA) is usually the first and largest responder to international disasters, reinforcing U.S. global leadership (e.g., 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 2010 Haiti earthquake, 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake). 10. Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Back to the U.S.: Mobile money (M-Pesa in Kenya), drought-resistant crops, low-cost water purification, and micro-insurance models pioneered with USAID funding have been adopted by U.S. startups and agencies.