The Transformative Impact of USAID: Why Development, Diplomacy, and Soft Power Matter Now More Than Ever

Introduction: USAID Under Threat – Why This Matters

For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a pillar of American foreign policy, embodying the nation’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, economic development, and global stability. Through its various initiatives, USAID has provided lifesaving aid, strengthened governance, improved public health, and fostered democratic institutions in some of the world’s most fragile states.

But now, this legacy is under serious threat. The current administration has moved aggressively to dismantle USAID, issuing executive orders (EOs) that have frozen funding, terminated projects, and led to the mass layoffs of thousands of employees, including myself. These decisions are not just bureaucratic maneuvers—they are policy choices with devastating real-world consequences.

The termination of USAID’s work will not only cripple humanitarian aid programs but will also diminish U.S. influence globally, ceding ground to rival nations that actively invest in international development as a means of geopolitical strategy. This short article explores why USAID’s work is more important than ever, how it serves as a critical instrument of U.S. soft power, and what is at stake if these programs disappear.

USAID’s Role in Global Stability and Development

USAID has long been a strategic force in international development, leveraging American expertise, technology, and resources to promote economic growth, improve governance, and enhance security worldwide. Here’s how it has played a transformative role in key regions:

1. Rebuilding Iraq: Strengthening Governance for a More Stable Future

Following the Iraq War, USAID was instrumental in helping rebuild the nation’s governance structures and civil institutions. Through various capacity-building programs, the agency trained over 70,000 Iraqi government officials in areas such as strategic planning, human resources, financial management, and project implementation.

One of the most significant efforts was USAID’s partnership with the Iraqi government to modernize service delivery and streamline bureaucratic processes. These initiatives laid the foundation for a more resilient and autonomous governance structure. Without this support, Iraq’s recovery would have been significantly delayed, leaving a power vacuum susceptible to extremist influence.

2. The Ninewa Plains: Restoring Communities After Conflict

USAID played a crucial role in rebuilding homes and infrastructure in the Ninewa Plains, an area devastated by ISIS. One major initiative, the Alf Dar 1000 Houses Project, helped displaced families return by providing direct financial assistance to rehabilitate their homes. Instead of imposing a top-down reconstruction model, USAID enabled families to purchase materials and hire local labor, thereby stimulating the economy while restoring dignity and agency to those affected.

This approach proved far more effective than traditional foreign aid efforts, as it fostered a sense of ownership and community resilience. With USAID’s work now halted, thousands of families remain in limbo, unable to rebuild their lives.

3. Fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa: A Lifeline Cut Short

For years, USAID has been a key player in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved millions of lives across Africa. In Nigeria alone, USAID-funded programs have provided antiretroviral therapy to over 2 million HIV-positive individuals.

However, with the recent EO suspending these programs, millions now face uncertainty. The abrupt termination of these health initiatives risks reversing decades of progress and could lead to a resurgence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in vulnerable communities.

(Source: AP News)

Soft Power: Why Development and Diplomacy Matter More Than Ever

The concept of soft power, introduced by political scientist Joseph Nye, refers to a nation’s ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion or force. USAID has been one of the strongest vehicles of American soft power, fostering goodwill and strategic alliances worldwide.

Here’s why soft power is more critical than ever:

1. Countering Extremism Through Development

Economic hardship, lack of education, and weak governance create fertile ground for extremist ideologies. USAID-funded programs in education, job training, and entrepreneurship have historically helped mitigate these risks by offering young people viable alternatives to radicalization.

For example, in Somalia and Yemen, USAID has supported local initiatives aimed at vocational training for at-risk youth. By providing employment opportunities and improving local governance, these programs have directly contributed to reducing the recruitment efforts of extremist groups like Al-Qaeda.

2. Strengthening Alliances and International Partnerships

International partnerships and multilateral agreements are essential for addressing global challenges such as terrorism, poverty, and pandemics. Countries that receive USAID assistance often become long-term allies, supporting U.S. diplomatic efforts in international forums like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

By cutting USAID programs, the U.S. is voluntarily surrendering influence in these regions to countries like China, which has aggressively expanded its development aid through the Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing is stepping in to fill the vacuum left by the U.S., using economic investments as a tool for geopolitical leverage.

3. Humanitarian Leadership as a Moral and Strategic Imperative

Beyond geopolitics, American leadership in humanitarian aid has been a source of national pride and global respect. USAID’s work in disaster relief, refugee assistance, and public health has showcased the best of American values—compassion, generosity, and innovation.

If the U.S. withdraws from global development, it risks not only humanitarian crises but also long-term damage to its international reputation. Countries remember who helped them in times of crisis, and these relationships influence diplomatic negotiations, trade agreements, and security cooperation for years to come.

The Call to Action: Why We Must Defend USAID

The dismantling of USAID is not just an administrative policy change—it is a fundamental shift in how the U.S. engages with the world. The agency has been a force for good, strengthening global stability while advancing American strategic interests.

If these programs remain defunded, the ripple effects will be devastating:

• Millions of people will lose access to food, medicine, and shelter.
• Fragile states will become more vulnerable to authoritarian influence and extremism.
• America’s global standing and diplomatic influence will erode, making it harder to forge international coalitions in the future.

Now is the time for bipartisan leadership to step in and advocate for the restoration of USAID’s funding. Congress must push back against these stop-work orders and recognize that foreign aid is not charity—it is an investment in global stability and, ultimately, in America’s own national security.

Conclusion: The Legacy We Must Protect

For decades, USAID has embodied America’s best qualities—innovation, leadership, and a commitment to human dignity. If we allow these programs to be dismantled, we are not just cutting aid; we are abandoning a legacy of hope and cooperation that has made the world a safer and more prosperous place.

The decision to end USAID is short-sighted, politically motivated, and fundamentally against America’s long-term interests. We must speak out, raise awareness, and push for policies that preserve the agency’s critical work.

#SaveUSAID

Mustafa