In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a directive freezing nearly all foreign aid programs, with exceptions made only for Israel and Egypt. According to an internal memo circulated to the State Department, the decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s agenda and includes a comprehensive review of foreign assistance policies.

The memo stated that effective immediately, senior officials must ensure “no new obligations shall be made for foreign assistance” until each proposal undergoes a thorough review. Exceptions have been granted for emergency food assistance and ongoing commitments to Israel and Egypt.

The freeze impacts various programs, including military aid to Ukraine, which had received billions of dollars in weapons under President Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden. Additionally, the directive halts funding for PEPFAR, the anti-HIV/AIDS initiative responsible for providing life-saving anti-retroviral drugs to developing nations, particularly in Africa.

“This is a 90-day pause to ensure that foreign development assistance is consistent with the president’s foreign policy priorities,” the memo noted.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations. Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, condemned the move, stating, “Humanitarian and development assistance accounts for only around one percent of the federal budget; it saves lives, fights diseases, educates millions of children, and reduces poverty.”

While the directive allows for emergency food aid to continue, it signifies a pause of several months for other critical programs, raising concerns about the global implications of reduced U.S. engagement in humanitarian and development efforts.

This development underscores a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump, with a focus on prioritizing domestic and strategic allies over longstanding global aid initiatives. The full review is expected to conclude within the next three months.