Foreign Aid: Yay or Nay?

One key issue that we have faced for decades now, mostly since WWII, is foreign aid. Who should get it? Why should we give our money away when we could use it here? Why should we help? 

In 2009, we gave a total of about $45 billion. Countries like Russia received $223 million, Egypt $1.2 billion, Ethiopia $550 million, Israel $2.6 billion in 2010. For a full comprehensive list, see http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1297.pdf.

Foreign Aid Given as %of GDP

Granted, included in this price-tag is USAID as well as other agencies price-tag, is their a real necessity to all of this, or are we just throwing our money out without no benefit?

Here are some answers to discuss about:
U.S. funded countries in the Middle East, such as Israel and Egypt have need of such aid in order to maintain a position of strength and reliance for the U.S. since there is a history of conflict and violence in that area. Here are few key benefits Israel gives us in return as told by the historian Dr. Steve Carol:

• Israel heads calls for military integration from the U.S., such as in the Cold War.
• In 1967, Israel defeated a pro-Soviet, Arab offensive that led to the capture of vital intel that the U.S. was able to have access to.
• Israel stopped Syrian advanced into Jordan in the 1970s at a time the U.S. was unable to intervene.
• 1970s-present day Israel provides access to the Middle East for the U.S. via ports and airfields.
• 1981-present day Israel acts in unison with U.S. and many other countries to prevent nuclear weapons from being created by the wrong people, as seen in 1981 in Iraq and with present-day Iran.
• Israel is a strategic command base for the U.S. and U.N. in the Middle East and Asia.
• Israel shares intelligence, research, and military developments that would cost the U.S. billions of dollars.
• There is no need to have a military base with U.S. personnel on the ground in Israel because of the strength and intelligence of Israel, which alone saves billions of dollars.

In stark contrast to what many may think, Israel seems like a very good investment considering the flop-side where we would be spending 5 times that amount everywhere if we weren't giving the aid to them.

As for other countries such as Russia and 1st world nations, funding should be nearly cut to $0. They have an ability to help themselves, just like we do. In times of natural disaster and a disaster such as 9/11, giving some sort of aid is almost a responsibility among the strongest nations, and it is also human to be able to help in some sort of way those who are suffering.

What is your stance? Do you agree or disagree?