Federal spending · FY2025
International Affairs
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The International Affairs domain is dedicated to advancing U.S. national interests, security, and prosperity through engagement with the global community. Its core purpose is to foster a stable, secure, and prosperous international environment that benefits American citizens. Success is measured by the reduction of global threats, the promotion of democratic values and human rights, the facilitation of international trade and investment, and the strengthening of alliances and partnerships. This domain encompasses a wide range of activities, including foreign assistance, diplomatic operations, international development, global health initiatives, counterterrorism efforts, and support for international organizations. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are principal stewards, working to project U.S. influence, build capacity in partner nations, respond to humanitarian crises, and address transnational challenges. Effective management of these resources is crucial for maintaining U.S. leadership on the world stage and for addressing complex global issues that directly or indirectly impact domestic security and economic well-being.
The problem
The 'warning' status for International Affairs, with a substantial trend of -37.3% on $72.9B in outlays, signals elevated fiscal risk stemming from significant programmatic shifts or funding realignments, rather than immediate waste or mismanagement. The sharp decline in spending suggests a potential reduction in critical foreign aid, diplomatic initiatives, or international development programs, which could have significant geopolitical or humanitarian consequences. This trajectory raises concerns about the sustainability of U.S. global engagement and the potential for underfunding key strategic priorities. While the decrease might reflect successful program efficiencies or strategic reprioritization, the magnitude of the change warrants careful examination to ensure it does not compromise long-term foreign policy objectives or create vacuums in areas where U.S. leadership is essential. The warning status emphasizes the need to understand the drivers of this significant reduction and to assess whether current spending levels adequately support the nation's international commitments and national security interests, without asserting programmatic failure or waste.
The solution
To address the 'warning' status in International Affairs, AI can be deployed to provide nuanced insights into the impact of spending reductions and to optimize resource allocation for maximum strategic effect. AI-driven geopolitical risk assessment tools can analyze global events, economic indicators, and social trends to forecast areas where U.S. engagement is most critical and where funding reductions could create instability or strategic disadvantages. This analysis can inform the reprioritization of aid and diplomatic efforts. AI can also be used to model the cascading effects of reduced funding on specific regions or global challenges (e.g., public health, climate resilience, counter-terrorism), helping policymakers understand the potential long-term consequences of current spending trajectories. Furthermore, AI can enhance the efficiency of aid delivery by identifying optimal program designs and implementation partners based on historical performance data and local context analysis, ensuring that remaining funds achieve the greatest possible impact. Predictive analytics can also help anticipate humanitarian crises or security threats, enabling more timely and cost-effective interventions, thereby mitigating risks associated with reduced overall spending.
The biggest part of International Affairs is International development and humanitarian assistance: $33.3B (45.7%). Just 3 of the 5 areas below hold 96.9% of the money.
How to read it: Tap a row to open what's inside. Colours match the chart above, and each row's share is its part of the row it sits under.
| Where it went | Gross outlays | Share | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33.3B45.7% | 45.7% | ||
| $27.1B37.2% | 37.2% | ||
| $10.2B14.0% | 14.0% | ||
| $2.0B2.7% | 2.7% | ||
| $251M0.3% | 0.3% |