What a novel concept! The United States has begun tying aid they give out to other countries based on their cooperation and willingness to help American interests.
It began late in 2017 with United States ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, slashing the UN budget by $285 million, while President Trump threatened any country that votes against America would be subject to fewer funds.
“Let them vote against us, we’ll save a lot,” the President declared. “We don’t care!”
‘Let them vote against us, we’ll save a lot. We don’t care!’ #Trump vows to cut foreign aid to those countries planning to vote against the recognition of #Jerusalem as #Israel‘s capital https://t.co/42uLG1CVsV pic.twitter.com/8QVhmbrliC
— RT (@RT_com) December 21, 2017
Now, Trump’s first action of the new year was to announce he was withholding millions in military aid from Pakistan, a country he accused of telling the United States “lies” and harboring terrorists.
“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools,” the President tweeted. “They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help.”
“No more!”
The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018
A National Security Council official backed up Trump’s assessment that the aid would stop according to Fox News.
“The United States does not plan to spend the $255 million in [Fiscal Year] 2016 Foreign Military Financing for Pakistan at this time,” the official said.
“The president has made clear that the United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists and militants on its soil,” they added, and that the administration would continue to “review Pakistan’s level of cooperation.”
In other words, side with America, act like an ally, and you’ll get our money.
The Trump administration says it’ll continue withholding $225 million in military aid to Pakistan due to frustration over what the White House has characterized as Islamabad’s obstinance in confronting terrorist networks https://t.co/VxRAZ2Ws7d pic.twitter.com/3tRrRZchjK
— CNN (@CNN) January 2, 2018
In July, Defense Secretary James Mattis refused to certify that Pakistan has aggressively cracked down on terror groups, resulting in the country not receiving full military aid.
The Pentagon has stressed to Pakistan that it is in the country’s own interest to “eliminate all safe havens” for terror groups which pose threats to U.S. interests.
Pakistan’s foreign minister, Khawaja M. Asif, denied the President’s claims and vowed to separate fact from fiction.
We will respond to President Trump’s tweet shortly inshallah…Will let the world know the truth..difference between facts & fiction..
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 1, 2018
“We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory,” Trump said in mid-December.
Will Pakistan start working to defeat terrorists and cooperate with the United States now that money is involved? Share your thoughts below!
