Buying War Allies and 'Friends' with Foreign Aid
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)
February 25, 2003

With an American invasion of Iraq imminent, nations in the region are increasingly worried about the political, social, and economic consequences of a second Gulf war. Not surprisingly, Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, and Turkey are demanding more money from the U.S. to offset the costs, economic and otherwise, of such a war. Other Middle East countries are sure to follow. Yet the more foreign aid we send to the Middle East, the more hopelessly entangled we become in the intractable conflicts that define it. Worse yet, the practice of buying friends casts very serious doubt on the lofty claims that we are promoting democracy. If our plans for Iraq will bring peace and stability to the region, why do we have to buy off the Middle East governments that stand to benefit? The truth is that those governments, even our ostensible allies, have very serious doubts about the wisdom of our proposed invasion of Iraq. Money- lots of it- makes them more amenable to our cause.

Turkey in particular has shown incredible gall in demanding billions for its cooperation with our war efforts. Turkey shares a border with northern Iraq, and its air bases could serve as an important staging area for American forces. Yet Turkey is demanding a whopping $30 billion in exchange for its support of the war and use of its airfields. Unfortunately, the administration appears ready to accept this blackmail if a slightly lower dollar amount can be negotiated.

This blatant shakedown gives new meaning to the term "ally." In World War II, our allies were just that- nations willing to share the costs and risks, even the lives of their soldiers- to fight a war against common enemies. Today, our phony allies are bought and paid for with billions of your tax dollars, but prove less than trustworthy when trouble arises.

Turkey wants more than our money, however. It also wants to control the Kurdish population in northern Iraq. The Kurds in both Iraq and Turkey desire an independent Kurdish state, which the Turkish government fiercely resists. Turkish officials want an agreement that will allow thousands of their soldiers to advance into Kurdish northern Iraq on the heels of American forces. This would be a shameful insult to the Kurdish people, who at least have been consistent foes of Saddam Hussein.

The billions we will give Turkey are just the tip of the iceberg. The foreign aid feeding frenzy will only intensify as America expands its role as world policeman. Already it is routine for some nations to send negotiating teams to Washington during the appropriations process, intent on securing the foreign aid loot to which they feel so entitled. Just as hordes of domestic lobbyists roam the halls of Congress seeking federal money for every conceivable special interest, we should expect foreign lobbyists to increasingly look for money from American taxpayers. In the new era of American empire, foreign aid spending serves as the carrot. Iraq will get the stick, at least at first. Once we occupy it, of course, we will spend billions there as well.

Foreign aid is not only unconstitutional, but also exceedingly unwise. It creates the worst kind of entangling alliances that President Washington warned about. It doesn’t buy us any real allies, but instead encourages false friendships, dependency, and a sense of entitlement among the recipients. It also causes resentment among nations that receive none, or less than they feel they deserve. Above all, however, it is simply unconscionable to tax American citizens and send their money overseas. We have enough problems of our own here at home, and those dollars should be returned to taxpayers or spent on legitimate constitutional activities.

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Ron Paul, M.D., represents the 14th Congressional District of Texas in the United States House of Representatives.

Previous articles by Rep. Ron Paul

Buying War Allies and 'Friends' with Foreign Aid
2/25/03

Conscription Is Slavery
1/14/02

Waning Prospects for Peace in 2003?
12/31/02

What Does Regime Change in Iraq Really Mean?
12/17/02

Our Incoherent Foreign Policy Fuels Middle East Turmoil
12/03/02

Homeland Security Is the Largest Federal Expansion in 50 Years
11/26/02

Unintended Consequences
11/20/02

The Homeland Security Monstrosity
11/19/02

Oppose The New Homeland Security Bureaucracy!
11/15/02

Honoring Our Military Veterans
11/11/02

Opposing the Use of Military Force Against Iraq
10/10/02

Congress Must Say Yes or No to War
10/8/02

Is Congress Relevant with Regards to War?
10/5/05

Can We Afford This War?
9/26/02

War is a Political Mistake
9/20/02

Entangling Alliances Distort our Foreign Policy
9/17/02

Questions that Won't Be Asked About Iraq
9/11/02

A Foreign Policy for Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty
9/9/02

Arguments Against a War in Iraq
9/6/02

Important Questions About War in Iraq
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War in Iraq, War on the Rule of Law
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Will Congress Debate War with Iraq?
8/6/02

The Homeland Security Non-Debate
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Monitor Thy Neighbor
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Inspection or Invasion in Iraq?
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Don't Force Taxpayers to Fund Nation-Building in Afghanistan
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Say No to Conscription
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Statement in Support of a Balanced Approach to the Middle East Peace Process
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The Founding Fathers Were Right About Foreign Affairs
4/16/02

America's Entangling Alliances in the Middle East
4/12/02

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