Although the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is recognized as an organization implementing development and humanitarian aid projects in different regions of the world, it has gradually turned into a center that directly promotes the financing of radical groups and terrorists in various societies through the funding of media and civil society representatives, as well as the dissemination of biased information against state governance.
Evidence confirming USAID’s involvement in financing terrorism is emerging.
For example, the discovery of boxes with USAID logos in Hezbollah’s weapons warehouse in Lebanon, as well as the fact that USAID provided "full financial support" for Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki’s education at a college in Colorado, indicate that USAID is not engaged in humanitarian aid initiatives but rather in assisting terrorists who pose a threat to humanity.
USAID’s activities from officials' perspectives
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that USAID is run by radical lunatics.
Elon Musk, head of the U.S. Government Efficiency Department (DOGE), has said that USAID has been actively involved in influencing elections.
Former CIA Director John Gilligan had previously admitted, “From top to bottom, CIA agents have been placed in USAID across all areas of activity abroad, from volunteer work to religion.”
Robert Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated for the post of U.S. Secretary of Health, stated that USAID allocated $5 billion to fund the Maidan riots.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in an interview with Dmitry Kiselyov, Director General of Russia’s "Rossiya Segodnya" International Information Agency on December 18 last year, said: "They have this agency called USAID, which wants to help, but for some reason, it helps in the wrong places. ...I think Trump may ban it. ...Now, I think it might be removed.."
The Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, stated on November 21, 2023: “Mask Off! There is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer!'"
USAID’s connection to Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah
Sabina Salmanova, a member of the defense, security, and anti-corruption committee of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) stated in an interview with APA that the facts revealed about USAID expose the true nature of this organization: “This organization has been engaged in destabilizing several countries under the guise of supporting development. USAID’s true essence is being precisely exposed. Although it claims to provide humanitarian aid and support for the economy, healthcare, education, and democracy in over 100 countries with more than 10,000 employees, in reality, its activities involve illegally financing NGOs and media worldwide to interfere in the internal affairs of countries, gaining opportunities to influence public opinion, and use these levers for pressure, and even for orchestrating coups and overthrowing legally elected governments and constitutional orders in independent states.”
According to the MP, USAID’s operations expanded even further during the Biden Administration: “USAID has been directly involved in illegal actions and operations against various states. It has also acted as a sponsor for certain terrorist organizations.
This criminal organization has also been exposed for supporting drug production in Afghanistan as well as aiding the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. There is even evidence that USAID covered the college education expenses of Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki. It is gratifying that the Trump Administration has already launched a thorough investigation into the activities of this organization. It is likely that we will witness many more disgraceful acts committed by this organization."
S. Salmanova stated that USAID was behind the smear campaigns against Azerbaijan in international media whenever the country hosted prestigious events and conferences: "USAID was behind the smear campaigns in international media during major events in Azerbaijan, including the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2015 European Games, the 44-day Patriotic War, the environmental protests on the Lachin road, and even during COP29. USAID has launched numerous projects against the Azerbaijani state to ensure that our events do not conclude successfully and instead result in failure. The reason is clear—Azerbaijan and its top political leadership have pursued an independent policy, refusing to act under the dictates of inciting organizations like USAID, but have pursued an independent policy stemming from the national interests of the Azerbaijani people. Because of this, USAID has targeted us, but they have chosen the wrong place. Let them remember—no organization or state can speak to Azerbaijan in a language of dictates.”
Former Israeli Knesset member and political analyst Elina Bordach-Yalov told APA that in Israel, there is growing concern that American and European aid to conflict zones often fails to reach the civilian populations it is intended to help, instead enriching terrorist organizations: "It is well-documented, for example, that humanitarian assistance in Gaza has become a financial lifeline for Hamas. Likewise, in Lebanon, USAID funds have found their way into the hands of Hezbollah. The critical question remains: Can Western nations ensure that their taxpayers are not inadvertently financing terrorism? There is no easy answer. But one thing is certain—no dollar, pound, or euro should ever end up in the coffers of terrorists or their enablers. If a country cannot guarantee strict oversight of its aid in high-risk regions, it must pause and establish mechanisms that provide real, enforceable control—not just theoretical safeguards on paper. Otherwise, the harsh reality is that the U.S. and Europe are not only sustaining existing terrorist networks but also enabling the recruitment of new operatives, perpetuating an endless cycle of violence.
USAID's operations in Azerbaijan have been halted
A formal notice has been sent to the U.S. side stating that there is no legal basis for USAID's operations in the country and that it must cease its activities.
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