The geopolitics of aid: the provision and termination of aid to Afghan refugees in North West Frontier Province, Pakistan

Setting the scene for Afghanistan's reconstruction: The challenges and critical dilemmas

“…The Pakistani authorities encouraged organisation of Mujaheddin parties within the camps. A 'Commissariat for Afghan Refugees' was established but, to be eligible for support, refugees had to be registered with one of seven Afghan Sunni military parties to which Pakistan had accorded its formal approval, thereby ensuring the politicisation of refugees and the provision of aid to them (Fielden, 1998).…”

Geopolitics and Shifts in Development Aid Policies: The Effects on Poverty in Nepal

“…The development and performance hypothesis explains how aid should be approached from the perspective of future prospects of development. Finally, the strategic-defensive or Cold War hypothesis explains how differences in the provision of aid reflect the competition between the West and the Soviet Union in asserting influences over Third World countries; this hypothesis thus closely aligns with Cold War political ideology (Fielden, 1998). Together, these theories are useful for examining shifting patterns of aid provision and distribution among donor countries and international aid agencies over recent years.…”

“…(Chowdhury & Garonna, 2007, p. 5) Despite the emphasis on broader objectives of foreign aid, 'economic growth has always been the main criterion used to measure aid effectiveness' (Chowdhury & Garonna, 2007, p. 5). To fully understand the complexities in the shifting priorities of international development aid within the geopolitical context, it is necessary to understand the motives and the intentions of donors (Fielden, 1998). Analysis of aid provision in Nepal reveals diverse interests and motives of donor countries and agencies.…”

“…This aspect will be explored in more detail in the discussion of changes in patterns of development aid to Nepal (section 6). Fielden (1998) rejects the idea that the provision of aid is humanitarian based. He suggests that decisions by donors to assist developing countries are mostly influenced by geopolitical motives rather than humanitarian ones.…”

“…Through these aid agencies, development assistance was often used to promote donors' political interests. In response to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979, the United States provided financial and arms assistance to Afghan resistance forces (Fielden, 1998). These aid provisions enabled the United States to exert and secure its influence over the country's political landscape.…”