Data Visualizations
The USASSA dataset enables researchers, journalists, and policymakers to accurately trace the shifting landscape of U.S. foreign policy and military engagement.
Two Decades of Lethal Assistance (2000 - 2026)
One of the most critical applications of this dataset is tracking the proportion of lethal aid relative to total security assistance. While historical assistance often maintained a balance with non-lethal support (such as institution building and security sector reform), the data reveals a sharp and decisive pivot toward lethal material support in recent years.
This macro-level trend highlights the dataset’s capacity to:
- Isolate Kinetic Support: Disaggregate general foreign aid from weapons, ammunition, and tactical training.
- Analyze Geopolitical Shifts: Correlate funding spikes with active global conflicts.
- Evaluate Policy Impact: Provide the empirical groundwork necessary to assess how influxes of lethal aid impact human rights, domestic terrorism, and regional stability.