With a debt of $34 trillion as against its GDP of $25.44 trillion, the United States has passed a foreign aid bill worth $95 billion. This huge spending, approved by the US Congress, will be used to support Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and for rebuilding of war-devastated Gaza.

The US, emerging as a major power since the end of WWII, embarked on the policy of granting foreign aid. The first major American financial aid was in the form of Marshall Plan in 1947 for the recovery of pro-American west European countries. In March 1948, Congress approved the Economic Cooperation Act which provided funds to the tune of $12 billion for rebuilding of Europe. That money became a catalyst to support drive against Communism in Europe and was then extended to Asia, Africa and Latin America. At that time, the American economy was strong and the US financial edge vis-à-vis erstwhile Soviet Union enabled Washington to use its economic clout in order to deepen its strategic, security and political interest. It was not only the Marshall Plan but also the US Mutual Security Act of 1951-61 which laid the basis of post-WWII foreign aid.

According to the details of the recent American foreign aid bill passed from the Congress amidst a lot of criticism from the Republican members of House of Representatives, $60.84 billion have been allocated for Ukraine, $26.38 billion for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs, and the rest for Taiwan. In case of Israel, the breakdown of aid is: $5.2 billion will go to replenishing and expanding Israel’s missile and rocket defence system; $3.5 billion for buying advanced weapons systems and $1 billion to enhance weapons production; $4.4 billion for other supplies and........

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