Additional Context: This independent newspaper has continued operating from exile in Canada since the Taliban’s return in 2021. The newspaper shared that as a result of the cuts to USAID, investigative reporting, training, safety, and digital security has suffered, leaving journalists more vulnerable to Taliban repression. Beyond the financial strain, the aid cut represents a symbolic setback, undermining the broader fight for free expression in Afghanistan and risking the silencing of critical independent voices.

This information was included in a November 2025 report, "When Aid Fades: Impacts and Pathways for the Global Democracy Ecosystem." Information for this report was gathered from quantitative data on U.S. foreign assistance cuts; quantitative and qualitative data from two surveys that focus on democracy, rights, and governance; key informant interviews; and a desk review. The full report can be found here. 

Source: Global Democracy Coalition, International IDEA, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)