Amrullah Saleh, former vice president of Afghanistan, has claimed that the United States delivered $45 million in cash to the Taliban on January 13, 2026, with a further $90 million expected later this month. According to Saleh, the Taliban have not fully spent the previous tranche of funds, highlighting concerns over their use of U.S. resources.
Saleh sharply criticized U.S. policy, pointing to the paradox of the Trump administration imposing tariffs on Canada while channeling vast sums to a regime internationally condemned for human rights abuses. He warned that the Taliban are functioning as a proxy force, writing, “Don’t you think something is being architected in which the Taliban, as an ugly proxy, has a job to do?”
The allegations are corroborated by the U.S. State Department, which confirmed to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction that $80 million in cash is being sent to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan every 10 to 14 days. Following criticism, the U.S. has stopped publicly disclosing $40 million cash shipments after May 2023, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Observers warn that these cash flows directly strengthen the Taliban’s grip on Afghanistan, providing the de facto regime with resources to consolidate power, enrich its leadership, and continue suppressing civil liberties. Under Taliban rule, Afghans face severe restrictions on women’s rights, public freedoms, and independent governance, while humanitarian crises worsen due to mismanagement and coercion.
Saleh’s warnings underline a broader concern: that U.S. funds may empower a group known for corruption, terror-linked activities, and systemic repression, rather than supporting the Afghan people. Analysts stress that the lack of oversight risks fueling instability, entrenching authoritarian control, and undermining regional security.
The situation highlights a critical policy dilemma: while humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are urgent, providing cash to the Taliban without mechanisms for accountability risks bolstering a regime that has repeatedly violated human rights, stifled civil society, and contributed to insecurity across the region.
