Foreign affairs: Doubling of aid proposed

Available details of President Barack Obama’s proposed government spending for the 2010 budget year that begins on Oct. 1. A more extensive budget outline is expected in April. In most cases, the figures are for discretionary spending and do not include mandatory entitlement programs like Social Security. The percentage change is based on what Obama wants to spend next year compared with what he anticipates the government will spend in 2009 once Congress completes appropriations for this year. Agency: State and other foreign affairs operations 2010 proposal: $51.7 billion Change from 2009: 9.5 percent increase from now projected 2009 budget, after $10.5 billion in supplemental non-military funding for Afghanistan and Pakistan was added to the initial $36.7 billion 2009 estimate Highlights: The proposal included money to meet the president’s campaign pledge to double foreign aid and boost counter-terrorism and non-military assistance to Pakistan and Afghanistan. It would expand the number of civilian personnel in Afghanistan and Pakistan to do more development and reconstruction work intended to counter the influence of al-Qaida and the Taliban. It would redirect U.S. assistance in Iraq to reflect the administration’s troop withdrawal plans and funnel more money to support U.N. peacekeeping operations. It would increase funds to counter the spread of weapons of mass destruction, secure nuclear material and begin long-term counter-terrorism and law enforcement cooperation in Latin America and elsewhere. It would also retain President George Bush’s hallmark global HIV/AIDS initiative, his plans to hire additional diplomats, and launch new efforts to educate poor children around the world, promote food security and expand Peace Corps operations.