United States (Enmaeya News) — The Trump administration has released its 2026 budget proposal, asking for deep cuts to U.S. foreign affairs spending. If approved, funding would drop to its lowest level since before World War II — a move that critics say would severely harm global aid, especially in regions like the Middle East.
The White House is asking Congress to slash $31 billion from international programs and cancel another $21 billion in previously approved funds. Together, these cuts would bring the international affairs budget down by 85%.
The Department of State’s proposed budget is $28.5 billion, not including the rescissions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the smaller budget would still allow the U.S. to meet its goals while focusing on what he called “America’s best interests.”
But the plan would cancel or reduce major aid programs. That includes cutting all funding for development, economic aid, disaster response, and refugee support, much of which helps Middle Eastern countries facing war, displacement, and poverty.
Cuts That Could Impact the Middle East
Several U.S. programs that often help countries in the Middle East may be cut or changed under the proposed budget.
The Development and Economic Assistance programs, each worth $3.9 billion in 2024, would be merged into a new $2.9 billion fund called the “America First Opportunity Fund.” This new fund would focus more on issues like repatriations, economic deals, and countering countries like China — not direct development aid.
Aid programs for people displaced by war — like International Disaster Assistance, Migration and Refugee Assistance, and Food for Peace — would be combined into one $2.5 billion fund. That’s less than half the total they received before. These programs often support people in Syria, Gaza, and Yemen.
Global health funding would also be cut by 62%. It would drop from $10 billion to $3.8 billion. Programs for reproductive health, nutrition, and child vaccines — such as Gavi — would be removed. The U.S. program to fight HIV/AIDS, known as PEPFAR, would lose $1.8 billion.
The proposal also removes all funding for the Democracy Fund, which often backs civic programs in fragile states. Agencies such as the U.S. Institute of Peace and National Endowment for Democracy, active in conflict regions including Iraq and Sudan, would lose most or all of their funding.
Congress will begin reviewing the full international affairs budget on June 24. Lawmakers also have 45 days to respond to the rescissions package.
“The budget document is really just a communication of priorities,” said Elizabeth Hoffman of the ONE Campaign. “The rescission requests will show how serious Congress is about preserving its power of the purse.”
