Former Congressman Yoho reflects on his past misconceptions regarding foreign aid, admitting he initially viewed it as wasteful spending. However, following firsthand experiences in Africa and Latin America, he came to understand that foreign assistance, when implemented thoughtfully, serves as a vital instrument of soft diplomacy. He emphasizes that effective aid enhances U.S. national security and economic interests, strengthens political alliances, and counteracts adversary influences. His insights align with the views of Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the necessity of making future assistance beneficial to America.
Through my oversight of international assistance on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I eventually came to understand that thoughtfully designed and carefully supervised foreign aid advances U.S. interests.
It was only after my first foreign congressional delegation trips to Africa and Latin America that I understood that foreign assistance... is a uniquely powerful soft diplomacy tool.
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