[QUOTE=TheDerilious;2902468]Foreign aid is a drop in the bucket of the federal budget and arguably provides the best bang for the buck. Aid does many things; Direct projection of power and influence, improves national security, fosters diplomatic relationships, promotes economic interest (e. G. Money comes back to us in trade deals), and other things. America's global hegemony is bolstered and secured by minuscule (to the American budget) investments in other countries that reaps benefits in terms of trade deals and influence.
For more information, see China's Belt and Road initiative for a much more explicit example of how foreign investment is used to prop up one's own interests. Also, see China's foreign investment to understand why America's aid in integral to ensuring America's hegemony and status as global leader and why America would choose to do it. But, I guess some would debate would why America should be the global hegemon as opposed to regimes in China or Russia.[/QUOTE]The US gets back ten fold the money it gives in 'aid' mostly in trade deals and access to resources.
