J. Brian Atwood

In the following viewpoint, J. Brian Atwood maintains that the advantages of American foreign aid programs are not recognized by most citizens and government officials. He argues that foreign aid has helped finance medical and agricultural advances that have led to decreased child mortality and greater crop yields. In addition, Atwood contends that providing foreign aid benefits the American economy because developing nations are the fastest growing markets for U.S. exports. However, Atwood asserts, the government must provide an adequate budget to foreign aid programs— particularly the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—in order to achieve these benefits. Atwood is the former administrator of USAID. He resigned in June 1999 and became the executive vice president of Citizens Energy Corporation.

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