thepeoplesvoice.tv

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided full financial assistance to Anwar al-Awlaki, who later became a prominent figure within al-Qaeda, enabling him to earn an engineering degree at Colorado State University in the late 1990s, just years before the 9/11 attacks.

This disclosure raises pressing questions about oversight within U.S. foreign assistance programs and the full extent of the Deep State’s involvement in 9/11.

Al-Awlaki was known for his influential sermons and writings that promoted extremist ideologies, which many of the 9/11 hijackers, such as Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, were exposed to before the attacks. 

The records, first uncovered by Intelwire and later shared by investigative journalist Pamela Browne, detail how al-Awlaki received full funding to study civil engineering at Colorado State University during the 1990s.

At the time, al-Awlaki was an unremarkable student with no visible ties to extremist activities. Born in New Mexico to Yemeni parents, he spent much of his early life in Yemen before returning to the U.S. for his education.

Al-Awlaki’s later trajectory is well-documented: he became a key figure in al-Qaeda, known for his radical sermons and influence in extremist circles. His involvement with the organization culminated in his death in 2011, when a U.S. drone strike in Yemen targeted him under the directive of then-President Barack Obama.

The operation was controversial, as al-Awlaki was an American citizen, and his killing without trial sparked widespread debate about extrajudicial actions and constitutional rights.

While the funding provided to al-Awlaki occurred long before his radicalization, the connection underscores a broader issue—the challenges in predicting how U.S. foreign aid, particularly educational grants, might indirectly support individuals who later engage in hostile activities.

USAID has always publicly stated its mission is focused on promoting global development and humanitarian efforts. However, critics argue the agency operates as a CIA cut-out, advancing covert agendas around the world under the guise of aid and development.

For example, the CIA funded al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the 1980s during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan when bin Laden was a key figure within the Mujaheddin, providing him with financial resources, training, and logistical support as part of the broader U.S. strategy to counter Soviet influence in the region.

Similarly, during the Syrian civil war, the U.S. provided support to jihadist groups, some of which had affiliations with al-Qaeda, under the pretext of promoting democracy and countering the Assad regime.

USAID funded hundreds of thousands of meals to feed al-Qaeda-affiliated fighters in Syria as they marched across the country, subjugating civilians and carrying out crimes against humanity.

This historical precedent adds another layer of complexity to USAID’s connection to al-Awlaki, prompting renewed scrutiny of the agency’s role in global affairs.