Since the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has re-established its reign over the country, imposing strict laws that particularly target women’s freedoms. Despite the Taliban’s designation as a terrorist organization by the United States, allegations have surfaced claiming that American taxpayers may inadvertently be funding the group through humanitarian aid.
The Allegations
Republican Congressman Tim Burchett has been vocal about his concerns. In a letter to President-elect Donald Trump dated January 2, 2025, Burchett accused the U.S. State Department of funneling money to the Taliban under President Joe Biden’s administration.
“During the 118th Congress, it was brought to my attention that the U.S. State Department was funneling money to the Taliban,” Burchett wrote alleging that Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted that nearly $10 million of foreign aid was paid to the Taliban in taxes by non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Furthermore, Burchett highlighted the issue of untraceable cash shipments to Afghanistan’s central bank, which he claimed were being exploited by the Taliban to fund global terrorism.
“The even larger issue, which Secretary Blinken failed to acknowledge, is the shipments of cash payments in United States dollars to Afghanistan’s central bank. These cash shipments are auctioned off and after that, they are nearly impossible to track. This is how the Taliban is being funded and plans to fund terrorism around the world,” Burchett wrote.
He further highlighted that he had in 2023, introduced a bill urging the State Deparment to discourage countries from “providing financial and material support to the Taliban, and to report on direct-cash assistance and Taliban influence over Afghanistan’s Central Bank”. However, although the bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously, it was denied vote in Senate by the then-Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer of the Democratic Party.
“I plan to reintroduce this legislation in the 119th Congress and would gladly welcome your support,” he further wrote on his letter to Trump.
U.S. Contributions to Afghanistan
The United States has remained Afghanistan’s largest humanitarian donor despite the Taliban’s resurgence. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reported that nearly $2.1 billion in humanitarian assistance has been provided to Afghanistan since the Taliban took over in August 2021. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), an oversight agency, stated that $20.71 billion in assistance had been appropriated or made available since the U.S. withdrawal.
While much of this aid is intended for humanitarian purposes, Burchett’s concerns underscore a troubling reality: cash shipments and unmonitored funds can be co-opted by the Taliban. This issue, Burchett argues, necessitates stricter oversight and legislation to ensure U.S. dollars do not indirectly support terrorist activities.
Broader Context of U.S. Aid
The United States provided approximately $66 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2023, making it the largest donor among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members. While much of this aid targeted Ukraine and humanitarian assistance, Afghanistan also remained a beneficiary. The OECD’s most recent data indicates $890 million in aid was allocated to Afghanistan in 2024.
ODA is defined by the OECD as government aid intended to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries, excluding military purposes. Aid can be provided bilaterally from donor to recipient or through multilateral organizations like the United Nations or the World Bank. ODA encompasses grants, “soft” loans (with at least 25% grant element), and technical assistance. Afghanistan is among the countries on the OECD’s list of eligible developing nations, making it a recipient of these funds despite its current political landscape.
Humanitarian Needs vs. Terrorist Exploitation
Despite allegations, international organizations like the United Nations argue that humanitarian aid—even in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan—is essential to preventing economic collapse and widespread suffering. The OECD defines ODA as government aid intended to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries, excluding military purposes. Such aid is often channeled through multilateral agencies like the United Nations and the World Bank to ensure accountability.
However, the risk of aid being misused remains a contentious issue. With Afghanistan’s central bank controlled by the Taliban, the opacity surrounding cash distributions raises questions about the ultimate beneficiaries of these funds.
The Taliban is a U.S.-designated terrorist group. After being ousted in 2001 for harboring al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, the group regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Since then, the Taliban has implemented increasingly repressive measures, especially against women, drawing condemnation from global human rights organizations.
The continued flow of U.S. aid, even under the guise of humanitarian assistance, has sparked bipartisan criticism. While some argue that halting aid would exacerbate Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, others, like Burchett, warn of the risks of indirectly funding terrorism.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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