Max Boot argues that suspending military assistance would likely have little effect on the Egyptian generals' actions, but it would give the U.S. more credibility on the subject of human rights.

"Cutting off aid is the only serious way to tell the Egyptian military that its current conduct is beyond the pale," writes Elliott Abrams.

"The Obama administration must now make the long overdue move to suspend American assistance until Egypt's government demonstrates a return to a political process," writes Isobel Coleman.

"The United States government announced last week that it would not, after all, make a determination as to whether the ouster of Egypt's Mohamed Morsi constituted a 'coup.' This decision has both important strategic and financial implications for the United States. By not designating Morsi's expulsion as a military coup, U.S. law allows the United States to continue its $1.5 billion in annual aid to Egypt. This second largest foreign aid package, after Israel, is tied to the Egypt-Israel peace treaty and also contributes to the annual budgets of major American defense companies."

What's happening in Syria isn't a pretty sight, as the moderates struggle to survive without the expected Western aid.

Shannon O'Neil explains why investing in Mexico's infrastructure is important for the country's future competitiveness.

Chinese officials see stability on the Korean peninsula under the Korean Armistice as a component that has enabled China's growth for over three decades. Despite a growing difference between the economic systems of China and North Korea, China's communist party leadership feels an affinity with North Korea because its government, like China's, pursues one-party leadership under a socialist banner.

Read full answer

Outside of a humanitarian crisis—such as a famine or a natural disaster—it is hard to make the case that any country deserves another's economic support. To paraphrase Britain's Lord Palmerston, countries do not have permanent friends, only permanent interests.

Read full answer

Twenty-eight representatives signed a letter on April 5, 2013, to President Obama, regarding the White House budget proposal's changes to the Food for Peace Program.

Secretary Kerry held this press conference on February 28, 2013, in Rome. He discussed the United States committing $60 million in humanitarian aid to Syria.

A group of foreign ministers met with the leader of the Syrian National Coalition, Sheikh Moaz al Khatib, in Rome for the fourth Friends of the Syria conference on February 28, 2013. They released this final statement announcing "increased political and material support to the Syrian National Coalition."

Secretary John Kerry gave these remarks at the University of Virgina on February 20, 2013. His speech focused on the importance of foreign aid and a strong U.S. economy in addressing foreign policy challenges.

The Egyptian uprising presents a rare opportunity for the United States to resolve the tension between its strategic priorities in the Middle East and its desire to support democratic change in the region. Washington's past approach to aiding Egypt was based on relations with authoritarian leaders who could be counted on to advance the United States' interests. With the fall of Hosni Mubarak and Egyptian efforts to build a more open political system, a policy based on "authoritarian stability" is no longer possible, and the United States is now forced to alter the way it appropriates and distributes bilateral assistance.

Read full answer

This CRS report investigates what impact, if any, foreign aid dollars are having, and whether foreign aid programs are achieving their intended objectives.

This report provides a brief overview of the transition thus far and information on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt.

The winner of the 2012 U.S. presidential election will have to address shifting priorities and maintain the relevancy and impact of U.S. foreign aid as government assistance is dwarfed by other forms of capital flows and new donor countries emerge, says CFR's Isobel Coleman.

Robert W. Merry explores why Egypt, Russia, and the UAE have had problems with American NGOs. Merry regards the matter as a foreign policy issue, deserving more attention than what it is getting in American discourse.

Rajiv Shah, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, discusses how foreign assistance and development efforts can spread U.S. values, deter conflict, and shape a more peaceful world.

Rajiv Shah, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, discusses how foreign assistance and development efforts can spread U.S. values, deter conflict, and shape a more peaceful world.

Rajiv Shah of the USAID talks about how foreign assistance can help reach out to vulnerable populations and serve them with American technology, spirit, and willingness to transform their lives.