Topic: U.S. Agency for International Development

Afghans concur with Congress that aid money is often misspent

A congressional report released Wednesday on the $18.8 billion that Congress appropriated for Afghan development says the aid often funds fruitless projects.
06/08/2011 04:50 pm

Could US budget cuts mean slashing aid to Africa?

With the Obama administration facing Republican pressure to cut the budget, the government's $50 billion overseas programs could be on the table.
06/03/2011 01:18 pm

Can Afghanistan hang on to its newly minted college grads?

The American University of Afghanistan held its first graduation Thursday. In a country that has experienced sharp brain drain, the hope is that more young Afghan university graduates will stay to help rebuild the country.
05/26/2011 05:25 pm

Follow the money: Should the US cut aid to Pakistan?

Secretary of State Clinton said today that the US wants 'long-term' security ties with Pakistan. But in the wake of the bin Laden raid, some Americans and Pakistanis alike want to downgrade ties – and aid.
05/26/2011 01:47 pm

Opinion Obama's Middle East speech: Good but irrelevant

President Obama’s Middle East speech at the State Department today is likely to be positively received in Washington. Middle Easterners, however, will probably find it disappointing, or worse, irrelevant.
05/19/2011 04:57 pm

US aid in Pakistan: Where's the money going?

The discovery of Osama bin Laden hiding in a Pakistani military town has Congress threatening cuts to US aid, and populists in Pakistan saying good riddance. But beyond the angry rhetoric, experts see a mismatch between US hopes and where the dollars have gone.
05/18/2011 03:41 pm

Africa Monitor Will Congo's troubling rape statistics compel any change?

Although it is helpful to have reliable numbers on rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo, that doesn't change the fact that so far there's no answer on how to bring those numbers down.
05/13/2011 02:40 pm

Mother's Day: What are the best and worst countries for mothers?

Mother's Day provides an opportunity to look at the quality of life for mothers around the world. A recent study from Save the Children looks at data ranging from maternal mortality to education.
05/08/2011 10:13 am

Opinion Libya's sharp lesson for America's foreign priorities

A regional youth spike means more trouble, unless we change the game.
05/05/2011 11:23 am

Terry Jones: How free speech and Quran burning can lead to violence

The violent reaction to Terry Jones burning the Quran at his tiny Florida church continued to spread Saturday, and with it questions about freedom of expression with murderous results.
04/02/2011 12:41 pm

Jimmy Carter visits Cuba while US contractor is jailed there

Jimmy Carter arrived in Cuba on Monday for a three-day visit. The case of Maryland-based contractor Alan Gross is expected to be a topic of discussion between Cuban officials and former President Jimmy Carter.
03/28/2011 04:52 pm

In Pictures Obama in Latin America

Japan earthquake: 5 ways the international community is helping

Japan has received offers of assistance from 14 international organizations and 102 countries (including a number of unexpected aid donors such as embattled Afghanistan and poverty-stricken Cambodia), according to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Japan has accepted help, mostly in the form of search and rescue teams, from 15 countries. Here is an overview of some of the help pouring into Japan as it struggles to dig out from Friday’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami.
03/15/2011 01:33 pm

Japan tsunami: Here's how you can help

Nations are responding to the devastation in Japan, sending aid workers, rescue equipment, and humanitarian supplies. Individuals can help too by donating to legitimate charities.
03/13/2011 02:16 pm

Africa Monitor Congo needs a US envoy, Ben Affleck tells Congress

At a House subcommittee hearing, Ben Affleck and Enough Project founder John Prendergast said the US needs to make a stronger commitment to ending the conflict in Congo by appointing a special envoy.
03/09/2011 03:55 pm

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 03/03

Libya uprising: 5 steps the world is taking

The international community is struggling to respond to the escalating Libya conflict. Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi has warned of “bloodshed” if other countries intervene, and the opposition rebels have yet to formally request military assistance. Here's what's been done so far.
03/02/2011 02:51 pm

Rebukes to Libya mount as UN kicks it off Human Rights Council

UN General Assembly rarely castigates one of its own, even in the face of egregious acts. Ousting Libya from the Human Rights Council follows other UN actions to respond to the crisis.
03/01/2011 06:28 pm

Africa Monitor On South Sudan's nation-building list: Curb horrendous maternal mortality rates

The United Nations humanitarian office in South Sudan's capital, Juba, says that 1 in 7 women who become pregnant 'will probably die from pregnancy-related causes.'
02/10/2011 02:22 pm

New jam in US, Pakistan relations: American accused of double murder

The US insists the American enjoys diplomatic immunity, but Pakistan won't release him. Hanging in the balance is a summit later this month with leaders from the US, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
02/08/2011 06:34 pm

Difference Maker He's raising hope in southern Sudan by boosting crop yields – and women's rights

As southern Sudan heads toward independence, Driuni Jakani works to promote peace, small farming, and the rights of women.
02/07/2011 12:37 pm

Four hot-button issues Republicans will target next

After fulfilling a campaign pledge to vote to repeal last year's health-care reform law, House Republicans are setting a blistering pace to move new legislation to cut the size and scope of government, including bills that have stoked partisan fires in the past. Here are four key measures to watch.
01/21/2011 04:50 pm

Rush for results in Afghanistan may undermine aid goals

Concern is increasing among the international development specialists that the rush for results in Afghanistan actually encourages cumbersome rules that take a long time to implement.
01/13/2011 01:42 pm

Congress brings down top auditor of Afghan corruption. Wrong target?

Congress targeted the man responsible for protecting US taxpayer dollars from Afghan corruption, but aid workers say the bigger problem is that the US is sending too much money.
01/12/2011 10:20 am

A Rope and a Prayer: A Kidnapping From Two Sides

How journalist David Rohde and his wife coped when he was taken captive in Afghanistan
01/11/2011 06:05 am