objective-wire.org
The funding of 'irrigation canals' in Afghanistan, amounting to hundreds of millions, has stirred controversy due to its potential misuse by the Taliban, especially in supporting opium production alongside its intended goal of enhancing agricultural productivity.
The Craziest part about this, many of links relating to this topic
usaid.gov/afghanistan/agriculture-and-food-security
sigar.mil/pdf/audits/SIGAR-16-42-AR.pdf
nytimes.com/2015/03/11/world/asia/us-aid-to-afghanistan-often-ends-up-in-taliban-hands.html
reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-opium/u-s-aid-program-in-afghanistan-struggles-to-wean-farmers-off-opium-idUSKBN0M715J20150310
crsreports.congress.gov
have been taken down...
USAID's involvement in Afghanistan increased significantly after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, focusing on reconstruction and development. During the Bush administration, efforts were directed towards stabilizing the country post-Taliban, with projects in health, education, and agriculture under Andrew Natsios. Under Obama, with Rajiv Shah at the helm, USAID broadened its scope with initiatives like the Alternative Development Program/North (ADP/N) and Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Productive Agriculture Plus (AVIPA+) to diversify agricultural products.
Hundreds of millions of dollars to fund “irrigation canals, farming equipment, and even fertilizer used to support the unprecedented poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan,” benefiting the Taliban Afghanistan has been and continues to be a major hub for opium and heroin.
However, the effectiveness and oversight of these projects may have been involved in more nefarious schemes under President Joe Biden.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under scrutiny by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump-Musk administration, highlighting several instances of what they describe as "WASTE and ABUSE" within the agency's programs. Here are some things that have already been discovered.
$1.5 million to “advance diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities”
$70,000 for production of a “DEI musical” in Ireland
$2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam
$47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Colombia
$32,000 for a “transgender comic book” in Peru
$2 million for sex changes and “LGBT activism” in Guatemala
$6 million to fund tourism in Egypt
Hundreds of thousands of dollars for a non-profit linked to designated terrorist organizations — even AFTER an inspector general launched an investigation
Millions to EcoHealth Alliance — which was involved in research at the Wuhan lab
Over recent years, the average annual production of opium poppy in Afghanistan has fluctuated significantly due to various factors including political changes, international intervention, and policy shifts. Before the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, Afghanistan was producing around 6,000 to 9,000 metric tones of opium annually.
However, following the Taliban's strict ban on poppy cultivation in April 2022, there was a dramatic decrease, with cultivation dropping by approximately 95% from 2022 to 2023 as per UNODC reports, which translates to a reduction from about 6,200 tones to 333 tones of opium. This has significantly impacted heroin production, which previously could have been up to 320 tonnes of pure heroin from the opium harvest.
Before the recent drastic reduction under Taliban rule, Afghanistan indeed supplied over 80% of the world's illicit opium, making it the de facto center for heroin production. Afghanistan has been and continues to be a major hub for opium and heroin.
The Department of Government Efficiency recently launched an investigation into the operations and practices of USAID, aiming to scrutinize its efficiency in managing programs and funds. This endeavor underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that federal agencies, particularly those involved in international aid, are held accountable for their financial management and program effectiveness.
Yes USAID money went to irrigating the heroin crops in Afghanistan
— Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) November 6, 2023
Also, unless you’re new here, you know what “USAID” means https://t.co/SGMmNwUeBc pic.twitter.com/JAntBnIBAs
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"President Trump to visit WNC on Friday to assess post-Helene recovery efforts." fox28savannah.com, 21. Jan. 2025, https://fox28savannah.com/news/nation-world/president-donald-trump-visit-western-north-carolina-new-york-post-friday-assess-post-hurricane-helene-recovery-efforts-four-months-later. Accessed 22. Jan 2025.
"Trump to visit western North Carolina in first week back in office." wral.com, 21. Jan. 2025, https://www.wral.com/story/trump-to-visit-western-north-carolina-in-first-week-back-in-office/21819045/. Accessed 22. Jan 2025.
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