#2272 - Mike Benz

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is traditionally viewed as a humanitarian aid organization, but its origins and evolution in U.S. foreign policy tell a more complex story of power, influence, and covert operations.

Usaid Was Created In 1961 by Kennedy to Manage the Empire and Project U.S. Influence Abroad

Mike Benz unveils the creation of USAID, shedding light on its intended functions beyond mere charity.

Usaid Was Created to Take Over Covert Operations and "Dirty Tricks" From the Cia for Plausible Deniability by the U.S. Government

JFK established USAID in 1961 not just for charitable reasons but also as part of a larger strategy to project U.S. power globally. According to Benz, USAID took on operations deemed too dirty for the CIA to maintain plausible deniability by the U.S. government.

Usaid's Mission: Covertly Promote U.S. Interests By Sponsoring Political Movements, Media, and Civil Society Abroad

Benz discusses USAID’s covert role in promoting U.S. interests abroad. This involved sponsoring political movements, media, and civil society under the guise of foreign aid to ensure outcomes favorable to the U.S.

Usaid's Evolution Post-1970s Church Committee Exposing Cia Surveillance of U.S. Citizens

Following 1970s revelations about CIA activities, USAID’s operations underwent a transformation.

Circumventing Cia Restrictions: Covert Ops Funneled Through Usaid

Benz points out that following the Church Committee hearings, which led to increased oversight of the CIA, USAID began performing functions similar to those the CIA previously undertook without as much scrutiny or the need for presidential authorization.

U.S. Pursued Unchecked "Political Warfare" Abroad

USAID's operations evolved to continue the practice of unchecked "political warfare" abroad, with Benz alluding to activities such as funding groups like the Mujahideen, influencing domestic politics to quell anti-Vietnam War sentiments, and funneling money without the usual counterterrorism checks.

Benz outlines how USAID not only helped with the groundwork for covert operations but also became deeply enmeshed with the broader "foreign policy establishment" weaponizing its influence agai ...

Mike Benz and others delve into the extensive influence operation orchestrated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), suggesting that its activities are often framed as humanitarian while serving political purposes.

Usaid Funds Media, Ngos, and Civil Groups to Influence Foreign Narratives and Politics

Usaid Utilizes Arts to Promote Pro-u.s. Messaging and Inspire Protests Against Foreign Governments

USAID's influence extends to cultural tactics, where Benz implies USAID's complete infiltration of the music industry. This includes sponsoring hip hop artists in Cuba and Bangladesh to inspire an anti-government sentiment that could lead to protests. In one detailed example, USAID wrote rap albums in Bangladesh with the goal of destabilizing the country through State Department-backed riots. Benz also discusses the support of Pussy Riot in Russia as another case where artistic activism played a role in creating an international incident.

Usaid Partnered With U.S. Military and Intelligence for Social Media, Influencers, and Disinformation in Political Warfare Efforts

Benz refers to the Pentagon and USAID as being involved in music diplomacy programs, part of the "hearts and minds" work, which extends to training celebrities like Taylor Swift for psychological operations. He hints at USAID's involvement in covert operations that could suggest partnerships with military and intelligence for political warfare initiatives, like sponsoring groups that operate in a similar vein to the Mujahideen, shifting the power dynamics in foreign politics and narratives.

Usaid's Efforts Often Mask Political Aims as Humanitarian or Development Initiatives

Usaid Funded "Cuban Twitter" and Sponsored Rappers in Cuba and Bangladesh to Promote Anti-Government Messages

USAID's alleged role in projecting U.S. influence takes on various forms. Benz mentions "Cuban Twitter," or Zunzuneo, an initiative reportedly funded as a humanitarian endeavor but aimed at building a subscriber base to eventually push political content and incite Cuban protests. He points to documents revealing the intent to leverage Zunzuneo's non-controversial content to ...

USAID's influence extends beyond aid and into the very judicial systems and electoral processes of other countries, with tactics that aim to entrench U.S. interests, sometimes undermining sovereignty and breaching international norms.

Usaid Manipulates Foreign Judicial Systems By Funding "Reforms" to Install U.S.-friendly Prosecutors and Judges

Usaid Tactics Against U.S. Government Political Opponents, Including Efforts to Oust Poland's Law and Justice Party

Mike Benz brings to light USAID's method of "judicial reform," suggesting it financially influences legal systems globally to serve U.S. foreign policy interests. For example, he speaks about a judge in Brazil, referred to as the "Lord Voldemort Judge," who attended a seminar funded by USAID and the NED. This seminar was part of the SEPS program, aiming for foreign countries to pass censorship laws. Benz also notes USAID's potential influence on the judiciary in Brazil, where it targets President Bolsonaro with anti-misinformation actions.

He discusses the case of Poland, where the National Endowment for Democracy has pressured for the arrest of members of the Law and Justice Party (PiS) to "stamp out populism." An article in the NED's Journal of Democracy even suggests that transitional justice should apply to the arrest of individuals from the opposing political party. Benz alleges that USAID advises the Polish government on which citizens to arrest to maintain power.

Usaid Collaborated With U.S. Agencies to Influence Foreign Elections By Backing Preferred Parties and Candidates

Benz conveys USAID's suspected involvement in foreign electoral processes, citing the backing of political figures like Donald Tusk in Poland. The involvement of the NED, termed a CIA front group, in recommending the arrest of high-ranking PiS members and its intention to prevent the return of populism in forthcoming elections suggests a clear interest in influencing electoral outcomes.

Benz further insinuates that USAID may fund groups that the CIA wants to keep at a distance, a strategy that allows for the support of certain factions or parties in foreign electoral contexts.

Usaid's Electoral Interventions Entrench U.S. Influence and Destabilize Resistant Governments

USAID's electoral interventions are not merely about aid but about a deeper entrenchment of U.S. influence. Benz contends that USAID's work involves ensuring the suppression of oppositional political movements, using judicial and electoral systems as tools.

Usaid Funds, Trains, and Resources Civil Groups, Media, and Political Parties to Shape Elections For U.S. Interests

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