In a dramatic shift in US foreign policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a suspension of almost all foreign aid programs, with military assistance to Israel and Egypt being the only exceptions. This decision, outlined in an internal State Department memo obtained by The New York Times, aligns aid allocations with President Donald Trum'’s foreign policy agenda.

The memo explicitly states that “no new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions” without a thorough review to ensure consistency with Trump's goals. This suspension applies broadly to foreign development assistance and military aid, potentially impacting critical programs worldwide, including Ukraine's military funding. Ukraine had been a significant recipient of US aid to counter Russian aggression under Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden.

Israel and Egypt, however, remain unaffected by this freeze. Israel has been a longstanding ally and major recipient of US military aid, particularly amid its recent conflict with Hamas. Egypt, similarly, has received substantial defense funding since its 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

The directive follows Trump's earlier 90-day pause on foreign aid, aimed at evaluating its effectiveness. Critics, however, argue this policy could diminish US influence globally, as affected nations may turn to adversaries like China or Russia for support. Furthermore, questions about the legality of the freeze have been raised, as Congress holds the power to allocate federal budgets.

The decision is already causing disruptions, with stop-work orders issued for ongoing programs. Experts describe the move as "manufactured chaos" in US foreign aid, warning of long-term diplomatic and geopolitical consequences.