Official announcements from the U.S. Department of State or Congressional records

Blinken Confirms $10M in U.S. Aid Reaches Taliban, Faces Congressional Criticism

Dec 11, 2024, 07:04 PM

During a congressional hearing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that U.S. tax dollars have been indirectly funding the Taliban, although he dismissed the amount as a small fraction of the total aid provided to Afghanistan. Representative Brian Mast criticized the Biden administration for sending billions in aid to Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover, including funds for teaching Afghans how to carpet weave. Representative Tim Burchett expressed strong disapproval of any U.S. funds going to the Taliban, emphasizing that even a small amount is unacceptable given the group's hostility towards Christians and Jews. The total aid mentioned by Blinken amounts to $10 million out of $8 billion dedicated by America and other countries to Afghanistan.