January 29, 2025

Statement from General Anthony Zinni on the Pause on U.S. Foreign Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.), released the following statement on the State Department’s directive to review and pause U.S. foreign assistance funding:

Every incoming Administration should conduct a thorough review of its national security programs to ensure they advance America’s interests. I look forward to seeing the results of the review. Until then, I worry that the call for a freeze on all U.S. foreign assistance – at a time when our rivals are playing to win – takes the U.S. off the playing field and diminishes U.S. strength around the world.

America’s military leaders understand that Peace Through Strength rests on the three-legged stool of our defense, alongside diplomacy and development. This is a moment to use a strategic approach to strengthen all our tools of U.S. national security, so we are as effective as possible to help protect the security of American people.

General Zinni serves as Co-Chair of the USGLC’s National Security Advisory Council, which brings together nearly 270 retired three and four-star generals and admirals.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.