Trump’s International Funding Halt Puts Anti-Terror Initiatives on Hold

Amidst a seemingly endless undercurrent of geopolitical tension, a group of Somali special forces captains stood stoically against the backdrop of 2022. They were part of a specialized commando unit, their faces stern as they engaged with their U.S. Army trainers. The photograph, captured by Luis Tato for The Washington Post, is a vivid reminder of the complex tapestry of military alliances woven across Africa and the Middle East.

In Nairobi, recent developments have thrown a wrench into these delicate dynamics. An executive decision by President Donald Trump, barely hours into his new term, halted a multitude of U.S. foreign aid initiatives for 90 days. By signing this executive order, Trump argued that the current structure of foreign aid was misaligned with American interests and a destabilizing force globally. But was this the right move?

It’s easy to ponder these complexities while sipping coffee on a quiet morning. Yet, for those deeply embedded in the machinery of U.S. foreign aid – the workers, the officials, and those who depend on the stability it brings – the situation presents a looming crisis. Four U.S. personnel, preferring anonymity for fear of reprisal, hinted at the sheer gravity of halting these programs, many of which counter significant security threats from al-Shabab, al-Qaeda, and even the notorious Islamic State.

Shouldn’t the White House be addressing these concerns more tangibly? As of now, they’ve remained silent, leaving question marks where clarity is needed.

At a staggering $10 billion each year, American foreign security assistance isn’t small change. Its largest beneficiaries – Israel, Egypt, and Ukraine – have been given a pass from the freeze, leaving countries like those in Africa and parts of the Middle East in a precarious position. It’s poignant how these much smaller portions of the pie can have such outsized impacts.

Take, for instance, the Anti-Terrorism Assistance program. It’s a $264 million operation, honed to sharpen allies’ abilities against extremist threats. Yet now, it stands motionless, like a paused chess game mid-move. Even programs countering organized crime, narcotics, and beefing up law enforcement are now in limbo. This wasn’t foreseen in a game show setting, was it?

“This is not ‘The Apprentice.’ You can’t just tell your partners: you’re fired,” remarked a former security official, emphasizing the indispensable nature of training, equipment, and guidance provided by the U.S. It’s not just assistance; it is a lifeline, the very bedrock upon which these nations build their security strategies.

Across the ocean, in Somalia, the fallout is palpable. U.S.-trained Somali troops known as Danab suddenly found themselves without essential support. Contractors tasked with maintaining bases walked away swiftly, leaving American soldiers scrambling to fill the void. It’s a bit like having your contractor disappear halfway through a home renovation, except with far higher stakes.

Similarly abrupt was the departure of medical evacuation teams from combat zones, leading to questions of accountability and future reimbursements.

Even the labs in Mogadishu and Garowe, crucial for analyzing forensic evidence integral to terrorism investigations, are adrift. Lt. Col. Mohamed Mohamud Ahmed, a key figure in police forensics, grimly noted the near-immediate cessation of critical activities following the funding freeze.

If all U.S. monetary aid were to stop permanently, the battle against al-Shabab might conclude rapidly, as a security expert starkly warned. The ripple effects of such a decision reach far beyond Somalia.

Kenya, a steadfast U.S. ally, has had its own traumatic brushes with al-Shabab militants. Past attacks, like the devastating 2013 Westgate Mall siege, illustrate the ongoing threat. So what does a pause mean for the region now, where surveillance drones and IED detection systems are biding their time on dusty shelves?

The familiar narrative of human rights abuse in Kenya’s past casts a long shadow, yet American training and funding have fostered tangible improvements. The difference was apparent during the rapid response to the DusitD2 hotel attack in 2019. Without those resources, can progress truly sustain itself?

In a pivotal time, West Africa is also reeling. Rampant extremism and humanitarian aid stagnation are symbiotic disasters. Programs that trained resilient teams in Benin and the Ivory Coast brought hope, but they too have hit the brakes. Concerns are ripe that without this assistance, these nations might rapidly backslide.

Now, as the U.S. focuses inward, it vacates a space once filled with guidance and support. And history tells us nature abhors a vacuum. Who will fill it?

Syria sees a mirrored conundrum, where crowded camps housing suspected militants’ families experience aid interruptions. These camps, remnants of a caliphate, verge on becoming breeding grounds for renewed insurgency if neglected, experts warn.

Emergent from Trump’s policies, the narrow path for exemptions remains treacherous and unclear. Congress, left in the shadows, is expected to monitor a landscape obscured by uncertainty. Without systemic clarity, strategic risks escalate – both financial and national.

Cynics might call this administration’s approach unorthodox. But beyond their critiques lies a pressing query: when assistance is more vital than ever, how do we prevent well-meaning reforms from inadvertently extinguishing hope?

Time and again, aid workers, military personnel, and civilians alike have glimpsed the transformative power of international collaboration. The tether of foreign aid may be under strain, yet its significance continues to resonate.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring