Text taken from the Telegram channel of apiskiamerikanista
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin:
[ColonelCassad] The State Department budget may be cut by almost 50%
As reported by The Washington Post, citing an internal document, the Donald Trump administration plans to cut the State Department budget by 48% (relative to the department's budget for 2025).
The cuts will affect peacekeeping programs, international health initiatives, and the Agency for International Development (USAID).
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In addition, it is reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to present a plan to fire "tens of thousands" of State Department employees. The cuts include closing consulates and other diplomatic missions, as well as merging or eliminating some departments. All educational programs under the State Department, including the famous Fulbright, may also be suspended.
Funding may be retained for the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program for Israel and Egypt, and the PEPFAR health program and initiatives related to the fight against AIDS. Funding for the IAEA and the International Civil Aviation Organization is also retained.
A few important details:
1) So far, these are only tentative proposals that will change at each subsequent stage, especially when it comes to congressional committees;
2) Not even all Republicans will be ready to vote for this, which practically guarantees amendments.
3) Based on the above, we can assume that Trump is ready to bargain with congressmen. The logic is familiar to him: raise the demands so that there is a basis for bargaining and achieving real goals.
4) You shouldn't be too happy about the wording about the end of NATO funding by the State Department, because:
a) this will still be negotiated in Congress;
b) the main flows of American funds to NATO go through the Pentagon. And the deductions from the State Department are literally a drop in the ocean
c) the State Department's spending on NATO is more related to everyday and organizational issues than to military-strategic ones.
(I am attaching data from budget projects on State Department spending on international organizations, including NATO, for clarity).
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