Washington, Jan 24 (V7N)— Military aid to Israel and Egypt has been excluded from a new directive by US Senator Marco Rubio, but the order could signal an end to military assistance to Bangladesh, according to a report by British news agency Reuters. The directive follows a trend of reevaluating US foreign aid, with significant implications for global development programs.

While Bangladesh receives only a small amount of military assistance from the United States, the new directive could lead to its suspension. This move aligns with a broader reassessment of US foreign aid programs. Washington has been a significant donor in global development but is now reconsidering its priorities.

The directive also puts the US-funded PEPFAR program at risk. Launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush, the program has saved the lives of approximately 26 million people by providing antiretroviral drugs to developing countries, particularly in Africa. Aid to Bangladesh's health sector under PEPFAR could be discontinued, impacting vital healthcare services.

The United States has historically used foreign aid to advance its foreign policy objectives, often contrasting with China’s resource-focused approach. In 2023, the US provided over $64 billion in foreign aid, making it the world's largest donor in dollar terms. However, some European countries, especially Scandinavian nations, contribute more relative to their economies.

This reassessment follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, which temporarily suspended foreign aid for 90 days. The current directive extends this policy shift, potentially altering the landscape of global development assistance. Anti-poverty organization Oxfam has criticized these measures, arguing they undermine a long-standing US commitment to supporting global development.

The full impact of this directive remains to be seen, but its implications for Bangladesh and other developing nations could be significant, particularly in areas like military cooperation and healthcare support.

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