Study Links USAID Shutdown to Rise in Global Violence
A new study published in Science reveals that the Trump Administration's 2025 abolition of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has triggered a significant increase in violent conflict across formerly aided regions. Following President Donald Trump's decision to dismantle the agency under the Department of Government Efficiency, researchers analyzed 870 communities between March 2024 and November 2025. The findings indicate a 6.5% rise in conflict probability, with protests increasing by 10% and battle-related fatalities growing by 9.3%. Lead researcher Austin Wright attributes this surge to economic chaos caused by sudden shocks to local employment and livelihoods. The study highlights that regions receiving higher aid levels experienced proportionally more violence. Beyond humanitarian concerns, the shutdown poses national security risks for the U.S. and damages its global reputation, potentially ceding influence to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The research underscores the critical role of foreign aid in maintaining stability, warning that its removal creates persistent uncertainty and fosters an environment conducive to severe armed fighting and social unrest in vulnerable nations.
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Study Links USAID Shutdown to Rise in Global Violence
A new study published in Science reveals that the Trump Administration's 2025 abolition of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has triggered a significant increase in violent conflict across formerly aided regions. Following President Donald Trump's decision to dismantle the agency under the Department of Government Efficiency, researchers analyzed 870 communities between March 2024 and November 2025. The findings indicate a 6.5% rise in conflict probability, with protests increasing by 10% and battle-related fatalities growing by 9.3%. Lead researcher Austin Wright attributes this surge to economic chaos caused by sudden shocks to local employment and livelihoods. The study highlights that regions receiving higher aid levels experienced proportionally more violence. Beyond humanitarian concerns, the shutdown poses national security risks for the U.S. and damages its global reputation, potentially ceding influence to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The research underscores the critical role of foreign aid in maintaining stability, warning that its removal creates persistent uncertainty and fosters an environment conducive to severe armed fighting and social unrest in vulnerable nations.