Biden Admin Grants $2.35B to Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan

The Biden‌ Administration’s Funding of Afghanistan Raises Concerns

The Biden administration⁣ has⁢ provided over $2.35 billion in‌ taxpayer dollars to Afghanistan since the Taliban regained ⁣control⁢ of the government⁢ in⁣ 2021. Despite warnings⁤ from lawmakers and federal⁤ oversight officials, these funds could potentially be supporting the Taliban’s ⁤terrorist ⁣regime.

Updated spending figures were​ recently disclosed‍ in⁣ a report by the Special Inspector General for⁢ Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR), a ‌federal watchdog that exposes waste, fraud, and abuse related to U.S. expenditures in Afghanistan. According to the report,⁣ around $1.7 billion remains available for disbursement, meaning ​that ⁣this money‌ could flow‍ into non-profit groups and other entities ⁢involved in reconstruction projects in⁢ Afghanistan.

However, with the‍ Taliban exerting⁣ control over various sectors, including the NGO community, there is‍ a high likelihood ⁢that ⁣a significant portion of these funds will‌ end ​up ‍in the hands of the terror group.

Increasing Pressure on the Biden Administration

These latest figures are expected to intensify congressional pressure on ⁢the Biden administration ‌to halt ⁣the flow⁣ of taxpayer funds into Afghanistan until it ​can be ensured that the Taliban is not ‍misusing the⁢ money. John Sopko, head of SIGAR, expressed his concerns to the ⁤House Foreign Affairs Committee, ⁤stating‍ that he cannot guarantee that the⁢ Taliban is not currently benefiting from U.S.‍ taxpayer dollars. Sopko also accused the Biden administration of obstructing his investigative efforts‍ and withholding crucial documents that could shed ‍light⁢ on the⁤ Taliban’s financial support.

Over the past two⁢ years, ​it has become increasingly⁣ evident that the Taliban views international assistance as a “revenue stream,”⁢ according to​ SIGAR’s report. ⁣The United States Institute of ⁣Peace has also warned that⁤ the Taliban is seeking greater control over the delivery of⁣ aid, while United ⁢Nations officials have acknowledged the group’s infiltration and influence over UN-managed assistance programs.

These alarming realities raise questions about the nearly ⁢$2 billion in funds made available ‌by the ‌Biden administration for disbursement in Afghanistan. ⁣The report‍ highlights ⁢a decline in humanitarian access due to​ Taliban interference, hindering beneficiaries ⁣from accessing aid.

The Taliban’s Unchanged Ideology

Despite promises of inclusivity, counter-terrorism, respect for human rights, and regional security, the Taliban has ‌shown ‌no signs of reform or compromise,⁢ according ⁢to the report. Their jihadi principles remain ⁢unchanged since seizing control of ⁢the country.

Lack of Cooperation and‍ Oversight

As concerns mount regarding the Biden administration’s decision to allocate funds to Afghanistan, government agencies responsible for these expenditures are not cooperating with investigations. John Sopko revealed that the Department of State, USAID,‍ the U.N., and other agencies are withholding basic ‌information necessary for oversight. State and USAID⁤ have even instructed their employees not​ to communicate with SIGAR, and the White House has refused to cooperate as well.

Congress has faced similar challenges, with USAID declining to ‍disclose the ⁤safeguards⁣ in place to prevent Taliban theft of taxpayer funds.