Washington, D.C

In a surprising and significant policy shift, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered an immediate halt to almost all U.S. foreign aid and supplies, pending a comprehensive review. This directive stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump during his initial hours in office earlier this week. Two key exceptions to the order include aid to Israel and Egypt, as revealed in an internal State Department cable obtained by NBC News.

The State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment on the abrupt decision. However, the implications of this order are already causing ripple effects across global diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.

What We Know So Far

The suspension affects all foreign aid grants and new allocations for a period of 90 days. Exceptions have been carved out for specific military financing programs for Israel and Egypt, as well as urgent humanitarian emergencies.

Humanitarian exceptions will allow disaster relief and emergency aid to continue in critical areas. Salaries for personnel distributing humanitarian assistance, including local workers on the ground, will also remain funded during the suspension period.

Ukraine’s Aid in Jeopardy?

One key area of concern is Ukraine. The order, as it stands, does not clearly indicate any exception for Ukraine, leaving the status of aid to the country uncertain. This could mean a pause of up to three months on critical assistance. With billions of dollars in recent aid packages allocated to Ukraine, the question remains whether funds already in the pipeline will proceed as planned.

“It depends on where in the pipeline the money currently resides,” a Pentagon insider explained. “If implemented to the letter, it’s possible that not all allocated funds will reach Ukraine.”

The Global Impact

This dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy is expected to have wide-reaching consequences. Humanitarian organizations are bracing for disruptions, and allies reliant on American support are voicing concerns. The timing and scope of the review raise questions about the potential realignment of U.S. foreign policy priorities in the coming months.

Ongoing Developments

The policy’s execution is still unfolding, and questions remain about how it will affect various nations and programs. While Israel and Egypt are safeguarded from immediate impact, other longstanding beneficiaries of U.S. aid may face significant uncertainty. The State Department’s next moves will be crucial in determining the broader implications of this unprecedented suspension.