Who is america's best Friend?

[Jason_Els]

If you want to know aid figures, go to the source. The following is from Summary and Highlights International Affairs Function 150 Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request as published by the United States Department of State:

The FY 2008 request is concentrated in the priority states of Iraq, Israel, Egypt and Jordan, representing 93 percent of the region’s budget. - p. 16

The Administration requests $4.54 billion for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) in FY 2008 to provide articles and services to support coalition partners and states critical to the Global War on Terror. This program serves to strengthen the security of the United States and to promote peace in general. FMF is allocated strategically within regions with the largest proportion (54%) directed to our sustaining partners and a significant proportion (41%) to developing countries to support their advancement to the transforming category.

FMF funding snapshot (For a complete list of all programs funded under this account, please refer to the tables at the back of this volume.)

• $3.9 billion for the Near East region, to include $2.4 billion for Israel; $1.3 billion for Egypt to foster a modern, well-trained Egyptian military; and $200 million to support Jordan’s force modernization, border surveillance and counterterrorism efforts.

• $300.0 million to support the armed forces of Pakistan, to include equipment and training to enhance its counterterrorism capabilities and provide for its defense needs.

• $129.3 million for ongoing efforts to incorporate the most recent NATO members into the Alliance, support prospective NATO members and coalition partners, and assist critical coalition partners in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• $78.0 million for operational support and specialized equipment to the Colombian armed forces, focusing on specialized and mobile units of the Colombian Army.

• $43.5 million for FMF administrative costs.

• $27.2 million for Poland to maximize Poland's capability to deploy and sustain professional forces in close support of U.S. security operations.

• $18.4 million for Romania to assistance in the continued integration into NATO, expand its capabilities, and support continued contributions to NATO and coalition operations, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.

$15.7 million for Indonesia to promote defense reform and to improve maritime security, counterterrorism, mobility, and disaster relief capabilities.

Statement of Changes

The FY 2008 FMF request is overall a slight increase from FY 2006 levels. The increases are reflected in Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Romania, and Indonesia, and are consistent with requesting the funds necessary to fight the Global War on Terror and to secure Middle East peace. - p. 37

Humanitarian Migrants to Israel -- $40.0 million for continued longstanding USG support for relocation and integration of Jewish migrants to Israel. p.43

The FY 2008 request includes $30 million for the Institute [United States Institute of Peace] to actively promote peaceful resolution of conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sudan; engage the Muslim world to facilitate dialogue, promote democratization, and strengthen moderates; prevent and mediate conflict related to North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, and Israel and its neighbors; as well as empower people with knowledge, skills, and resources through education, training, and research in peace-building. - p. 74

Israeli Arab Scholarship Program - The Israeli Arab Scholarship Program fosters mutual understanding by enabling Arab citizens of Israel to study and conduct research in the United States. The program’s trust fund will provide an estimated $375 thousand in interest earnings in FY 2008 to support these scholarships. - p. 84

The Economic Support Fund are monies given to foreign governments with the hope that they will use them for economic and humanitarian development, however there is no requirement that they be used in that manner. The money could go to opening schools or the head of government's villa in Geneva.

There are no monies earmarked for Israel from the Economic Support Fund for 2008... yet. The funds for 2007 haven't been determined yet so 2008 is still open, however in 2006 the amount given to Israel was $237,600,000., slightly less than monies give to Jordan, and much less than the $490,050,000. given to Egypt in the same year. No other country in the world received more than these save for Iraq at $1,480,000,000. FYI, the 2007 request was for $2,072,000,000.

You may also note that there is an outstanding request for Iran at $75,000,000. All data from ibid., - p.101

[YapCity]

Originally Posted by snitins

I want just one answer, who is loyal, friendly, beneficial nation for America other than Britain.

Mexico. They've been subsidizing their public welfare system to us for years. They absolutely love us, and would do anything for us at a substantially reduced rate.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

maybe australia

England and Australia in no particular order - I'm hedging toward Australia because I think their populace is more sympathetic with the U.S.

[Stonecoldharbours]

Well we getting it at all angles here, say goodbye to the AMERICA you had known and loved, its gone.

[njkate]

Australia would be my guess