With less than a year remaining in U.S. President Joe Biden’s term, experts say his administration has made progress on pledges to repair and reform America’s foreign aid system — with some big caveats and unfinished business for the months ahead.
When Biden took office in January 2021, the U.S. government’s primary foreign aid agency, USAID, was reeling from controversial political appointments, budget attacks, and management problems in the final year of former President Donald Trump’s administration. Even before taking office, Biden announced he would nominate Samantha Power, a former United States ambassador to the United Nations, to lead the agency and elevate her role to a permanent seat on the National Security Council.
The overarching message that accompanied Biden’s foreign policy leadership choices was — in his own words — “America is back, ready to lead the world, not retreat from it.” His administration has sought to repair frayed alliances, re-engage with international institutions, and restore confidence in its commitment to multilateral cooperation on issues such as climate change, human rights, and democratic governance. At USAID, leaders have called for revitalizing and diversifying a depleted workforce, making the agency more responsive to partner countries’ needs, and shifting resources and authority to those communities grappling directly with the world’s biggest challenges.