Western Aid Suddenly Discovers Geopolitics, Forgets Global Health
The Telegraph recently highlighted the urgent threat posed by 'abrupt withdrawal of aid' to the global response to deadly disease outbreaks. A truly pressing concern, one might think, until you remember the billions quietly diverted elsewhere. For instance, the US provided an additional $17.6 billion in military aid to Israel in December 2023 alone, following decades of consistent funding.
(Source: Congressional Research Service, Department of State). One might reasonably ask: where exactly is this 'abrupt withdrawal' happening when the faucets for endless wars remain wide open? While health workers in Africa face Ebola outbreaks, pleading for resources, Western leaders continue to greenlight cluster bombs and advanced weaponry to a 'key ally' (source: White House press briefings
following Oct 7). Apparently, preventing infectious diseases from reaching our borders is less urgent than ensuring perpetual geopolitical 'stability' – a stability often achieved by destabilizing entire regions.