Flash Points: Biden’s controversial Afghan aid decision

Plus: How to prevent aid money from reaching terrorists [Foreign Policy Logo]( [Foreign Policy Flashpoints]( February 13, 2022 | [View in browser]( Since the fall of Kabul last August, the international community has hotly debated whether—and how—to provide aid to the millions of Afghans facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden added fuel to the fire, announcing a decision that was widely criticized by former Afghan officials and rights groups to split $7 billion in Afghanistan’s foreign reserves held in U.S. banks between the families of 9/11 victims and aid to Afghanistan. In this collection of articles from diplomats, reporters, and experts, we untangle the complexities of the aid debate, exploring how Afghanistan’s aid infrastructure has unraveled, why denying aid to Afghanistan may be an anti-feminist policy choice, how to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching terrorists, and more.—Chloe Hadavas --------------------------------------------------------------- [‘Not His Money’: Biden Splits Afghanistan’s Reserves]( “This is the worst thing he could do right now,” one expert said. By Jack Detsch --------------------------------------------------------------- [Afghanistan’s Aid Infrastructure Is Unraveling]( Famine and destitution loom, yet more aid could strengthen the Taliban. By Kelly Kimball --------------------------------------------------------------- [Afghan Women Aren’t Liberated by Humanitarian Catastrophe]( Continuing to deny aid to Afghanistan is an anti-feminist policy choice. By Jamila Afghani and Yifat Susskind --------------------------------------------------------------- [Foreign Aid Won’t Moderate the Taliban]( International assistance isn’t the political lever many hope it will be. By Haley Swedlund, Romain Malejacq, and Malte Lierl --------------------------------------------------------------- [How to Prevent Afghan Aid Money From Reaching Terrorists]( Humanitarian aid must be linked to an effective independent monitoring system. By Steve Brooking Photo: Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images --------------------------------------------------------------- How are leading educators preparing the next generation of international affairs professionals to tackle the world’s toughest challenges? Read Foreign Policy's [Guide to Leaders in Graduate Education]( featuring innovative grad school deans, directors, and faculty members who are shaping tomorrow’s experts in security, diplomacy, global health, and global development. [Learn more](. --------------------------------------------------------------- China’s new data security law presents new challenges for organizations operating in the world’s second largest economy. FP Analytics is tracking the latest updates on global data governance. [Read the report.]( FOLLOW FP ON This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you are subscribed to FP’s Flashpoints newsletter. Want a friend to receive this newsletter? [Forward it]( now. Want to receive other FP newsletters? [Manage]( your FP newsletter preferences. [unsubscribe]( | [privacy policy]( | [contact us]( | [advertise]( Foreign Policy magazine is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2022 The Slate Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006. [Link](