Calls for Aid Freeze to Afghanistan Amid Taliban Concerns

Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces pressure to suspend U.S. aid to Afghanistan following a report indicating that assistance may inadvertently benefit the Taliban. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed that two of five bureaus within the Department of State (DOS) failed to demonstrate compliance with counterterrorism vetting, raising alarms about the oversight of $293 million in aid. Senator Mike Braun, R-Ind., described the findings as "deeply alarming" and urged Blinken to halt aid until the issues are resolved. The SIGAR report highlighted that $10.9 million in U.S. taxpayer funds was funneled to the Taliban-controlled government through 38 of the 65 U.S. implementing partners. However, this figure is likely a fraction of the total assistance reaching the Taliban, as UN agencies did not adequately track sub-awardee payments. Braun emphasized that the failure to comply with vetting standards has not only enriched the Taliban but also undermined U.S. national security interests in the region. In his correspondence with Blinken, Braun demanded accountability for those responsible for the vetting failures and sought clarity on improvements to documentation and record-keeping practices. Since the Taliban's takeover following the U.S. troop withdrawal in August 2021, the U.S. has contributed over $2.8 billion in humanitarian and development aid to Afghanistan, making it the largest international donor. As of now, the DOS has not commented on the situation.