Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, the U.S. has sent over $21 billion in aid, with USAID providing about $2 billion for food, health care, education, and jobs to prevent a crisis. But there’s a big problem: some of this money might be going to the Taliban, even though that’s not the plan.
USAID says it doesn’t give money directly to the Taliban, but it’s hard to control where it ends up.
The Taliban run Afghanistan’s banks and economy, so they benefit from taxes, fees, and bribes aid groups pay to operate. A 2024 report said at least $10.9 million of U.S. aid went to the Taliban this way. The U.N. has also flown $2.9 billion in cash into the country since 2021, some of which the Taliban’s bank uses to support their rule, like in 2022 when $40 million in U.S. cash was seen at Kabul Airport.
Critics say USAID’s system of pooling money with the U.N. makes tracking hard, and there’s talk of a “money laundering scheme” where the Taliban swap dollars for local currency to fund terrorism or allies like the Haqqani Network. Lawmakers like Rep. Michael McCaul and Rep. Tim Burchett are outraged, saying U.S. taxpayer money shouldn’t support a terrorist group that oppresses women and bans girls from school.
Some argue cutting aid would hurt 15 million malnourished Afghans who need it, but under President Donald Trump, USAID funds were frozen in early 2025 to review policies, shutting down girls’ schools and health programs. Social media claims billions went directly to the Taliban, but the real figure is likely smaller, though still concerning. Watchdogs like SIGAR say there’s not enough oversight.
The Taliban also force aid groups to hire their people or pay for licenses and utilities, grabbing more money. We need better tracking and transparency to help Afghans without funding terrorists. Should we keep sending aid, or is it time to change? Let’s keep watching.