Senator Tim Burchett claims that over $40 million in US cash is still being sent to Afghanistan weekly, despite a foreign aid freeze. The funds are reportedly used for humanitarian programs, but the Islamic Emirate denies benefiting from them. Legislative efforts to stop these transfers are underway amid concerns over potential misuse and security threats in the region.
US Senator Tim Burchett recently stated that cash shipments totaling over $40 million weekly are continuously flowing into Afghanistan, despite a freeze on foreign aid by the US government. This financial flow began after the Islamic Emirate took control in 2021, stirring concerns regarding the use of American taxpayer dollars. Burchett commented, “We’ve been told that it is, somehow they’re getting it; that’s on the surface that we know about.”
The weekly cash transfers are reportedly aimed at humanitarian assistance under the UN’s program, yet the Islamic Emirate has consistently denied benefiting from these funds. In April 2023, SIGAR’s John Sopko testified that $8 billion was made available for Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. It remains unclear if the $40 million weekly transfers are part of this fund and how long that amount is expected to last.
Concerns have been raised that the Islamic Emirate has exploited humanitarian aid by infiltrating NGOs, imposing taxes on aid distributions, and directing resources to IEA officials. Senator Burchett has taken legislative action, introducing the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act to prevent US aid from reaching the Islamic Emirate. After passing the House, the bill faces challenges in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Burchett emphasized the urgency of stopping this funding, stating his intent to push the bill forward so that it reaches the President quickly. Burchett also shared a personal insight, saying, “Old men make decisions and young men die.”
In a related development, the Islamic Emirate is urging the US to return seven helicopters that were transferred from Uzbekistan to the US. The Ministry of National Defense insists these aircraft belong to Afghanistan and should be returned to support its defense capabilities.
The UN Security Council plans to address the threat posed by Daesh from Afghanistan. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will discuss this issue, highlighting that ISIS-Khorasan remains a significant threat, though the Islamic Emirate claims that Daesh has been adequately suppressed.
The CSTO is concerned about potential terrorist and drug trafficking threats from Afghanistan into Central Asia. Tasmagambetov noted that terrorism and extremist ideologies pose persistent risks, prompting measures to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. The IEA has dismissed these concerns, asserting its commitment to preventing Afghanistan from being used as a base for attacks.
The report discusses US Senator Tim Burchett’s assertion regarding the ongoing cash flow to Afghanistan despite the freeze on aid stemming from the Taliban’s takeover. It touches on the humanitarian framework within which these funds operate and raises issues concerning the transparency and utilization of American taxpayer dollars. The congressional hearings and legislative responses to these concerns reveal a complex interplay between aid, governance, and regional security dynamics.
Senator Burchett’s revelations highlight ongoing cash shipments to Afghanistan despite attempts to restrict foreign aid post-Taliban takeover. As humanitarian funds flow, there are fears regarding the Islamic Emirate’s potential siphoning of these resources. Legislative efforts aim to curb US financial support to the IEA while broader concerns arise about Afghanistan’s implications for regional security and terrorism.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
