This podcast episode from The Daily discusses the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Trump administration. The episode features interviews with reporters who explain USAID's origins in the Cold War as a tool for soft power, its evolution post-9/11, and the controversies surrounding its effectiveness and cost. A key example highlighted is a failed $280 million program in Afghanistan aimed at empowering women, which ultimately benefited only 55 women. The discussion concludes by analyzing the potential negative consequences of eliminating USAID, including the loss of American influence and the creation of a vacuum filled by adversaries like China, potentially reverting to a less effective "ugly American" approach to foreign policy. The abrupt shutdown also caused significant disruption to ongoing health initiatives, such as an HIV prevention trial in South Africa, damaging trust and relationships.
