A recent audit from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction found that two State Department bureaus “could not demonstrate compliance” with procedures for vetting partners carrying out humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan. As a result, up to $293 million in U.S. taxpayer funds may have benefited the Taliban, which SIGAR emphasized “have sought to obtain U.S. funds intended to benefit the Afghan people through several means, including the establishment of nongovernmental organizations.”

The State Department performs risk assessments to vet implementing partners and “help mitigate the risk of State funds inadvertently benefiting designated terrorist organizations.” In some cases, bureaus may additionally use Risk Analysis Management counterterrorism vetting to further probe implementing partners’ possible ties to terrorists.