@thebeautyofsaas Few

@moseskagan Agree, but hard to argue we've spent the money wisely in this scenario

I'm not going to pretend to be up to date on Middle East politics because I don't really follow it at all but aren't the Taliban pretty much running the gov now? So if that were the goal of our soft power, hasn't that objective failed? (I don't disagree with that being a decent goal of soft power btw but I personally still wouldn't spend any taxpayer dollars on it)

Yeah I think that's true But: 1. Could we spend a lot less and still accrue that soft power? (think the answer is definitely less) 2. What is the end goal of accruing soft power in Afghanistan? Like let's say we gained all the soft power we wanted there. What's our actual objective with that soft power? Essentially what's our expected return on that money? I don't really think there is one. And even if there is one, I don't think anyone did a cost-benefit analysis before sending the money 3. Have we actually retained any soft power there? (doesn't seem like it to me) Just overall seem like a really bad way to spend taxpayer money with a very uncertain ROI. Think it's hard to argue that most "soft power" wouldn't be better off in US citizens' pockets

@GoldenJanus Lol that's the first good point I've heard anyone make on soft power

@oshxyz Yes then eventually you win when your country goes bankrupt

@NeverASimp You don't understand dude we're accumulating so much soft power!

Bro you don't understand soft power bro Even if any of it were true, who gives a fuck. It's literally Burma. Zero strategic interest to us, what could our return on dollars spent even be. Like in an upside scenario, what would even happen. We spend the money and then...? I legit can't even fill in the blank. There's nothing we want from them

As a thought experiment would you say the UK had a lot of soft power if it simply sent Burma money? Of course not. Because they don't have the backing of the best economy and military in the world

@thatdamiguy Yup, gravy train for foreigners who hate us is finally over. Great news for american citizens

@Observatory42 @1percentbtter Yes I didn't say cut to zero. I said cut

@jack226RE Nevermind my family, Burmese scholarship isn't even as important as some random dude I don't even like three states over in America

@idlebell There's a case but it's not a good one

@thatdamiguy Completely unrelated. We can easily not send this money to Burma and still be the leader of the world

@1percentbtter Yes, all should be cut