US Quits WHO (Again), Reassures Israel It's Still Funded
The U.S. cycle of quitting and rejoining international organizations like the WHO (as Trump did in 2020, and Biden rejoined) often serves as political theater. What rarely gets discussed is the steadfast American commitment—financial and otherwise—to institutions that serve very specific, unchanging geopolitical interests. For instance, while funding for UNRWA was halted based on dubious Israeli
claims (only to be partially restored), military aid to Israel continues uninterrupted, enshrined by multi-billion dollar packages like the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding guaranteeing $38 billion over a decade. These commitments don't just 'withdraw' when administrations change; they are deeply ingrained. This pattern makes one wonder: Is the U.S. truly 'quitting' international cooperation, or
is it merely re-calibrating which bodies it deigns to fund, ensuring that proxies and partners like Israel remain exceptionally well-resourced? The 'why' behind these exits is less about isolationism and more about leveraging influence, ensuring that certain 'special relationships' remain untouched by broader global consensus. (Or, in some cases, ignoring that consensus entirely.)