Samantha Power, former US Ambassador to UN: Closing USAID was soft power suicide

Samantha Power, former US Ambassador to UN: Closing USAID was soft power suicide

“The destruction of USAID is not only one of the cruellest acts that I've seen in my career, but of course also one of the dumbest.”

Caitriona Perry speaks to Samantha Power, the former American ambassador to the United Nations. She went on to lead the U.S. Agency for International Development until January 2025 when Donald Trump came to power. President Trump later closed USAID down.

She is scathing about his decision, describing it as a “soft power suicide” which will lead to the avoidable deaths of millions of people around the world. Ambassador Power also warns of gridlock in the United Nations, thanks to the use of veto powers by permanent members of the Security Council.

Thank you to Caitriona Perry and Chloe Ross for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with Nigel Casey, the UK ambassador to Russia, and the Colombian President Gustavo Petro. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Caitriona Perry Producers: Chloe Ross and Lucy Sheppard Editors: Damon Rose and Justine Lang

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Samantha Power Credit: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Episoder(1883)

Gisèle Pelicot: Shame must be carried by the accused, not the victims

Gisèle Pelicot: Shame must be carried by the accused, not the victims

**This episode contains distressing details of rape and sexual assault**Gisèle Pelicot: “I wanted the shame to shift to the other side…Shame must be carried by the accused, not the victims.”Victoria D...

17 Feb 23min

Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist: We're at a tipping point for kids and technology

Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist: We're at a tipping point for kids and technology

"There is a public health disaster. There is an education disaster. It all can be traced to the same cause, which is the change technology has made in our kids' childhood."Amol Rajan speaks to the Ame...

16 Feb 22min

Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury: Working in partnership with others

Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury: Working in partnership with others

Aleem Maqbool speaks to Dame Sarah Mullally, shortly before being confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury. She's the first woman ever to lead the Church of England. It is a tough time for the Church a...

13 Feb 23min

Azar Nafisi, author: Iranians are fighting for their freedom

Azar Nafisi, author: Iranians are fighting for their freedom

'What the regime does to women is even if they don't kill us, when you stop a woman from being herself, stop her from speaking the way she wants to or stop her from connecting, it’s a kind of murder. ...

11 Feb 23min

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South African health minister: The fight against HIV/AIDS continues.

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South African health minister: The fight against HIV/AIDS continues.

“Even though we say we want to be self-sufficient, we don't think global solidarity must be dropped. Because if it gets dropped, the world will be in trouble.”Mayeni Jones the BBC’s Africa corresponde...

9 Feb 23min

Henrique Capriles, Venezuelan opposition leader: What comes next for Venezuela?

Henrique Capriles, Venezuelan opposition leader: What comes next for Venezuela?

“Most Venezuelans are thinking about the future: Will things improve? Will deep changes come? Will we reunite as a people with our history, dreams, and hopes?”BBC correspondent Norberto Paredes speaks...

6 Feb 23min

Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner: Keep kids away from social media until they are ready

Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner: Keep kids away from social media until they are ready

Katy Watson speaks to Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner about the country’s social media ban for under 16s: “To keep kids away until they're ready, I think that is the monumental cir...

4 Feb 23min

Hind Kabawat, Syrian Minister: It is hard to be the only woman, I feel lonely

Hind Kabawat, Syrian Minister: It is hard to be the only woman, I feel lonely

'It's hard to be the only woman, I feel lonely sometimes because I’d like to have another woman colleague to talk to.’The BBC’s Chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet speaks to Hind Kabawat, S...

2 Feb 23min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
popradet
i-retten
stopp-verden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-gukild-johaug
det-store-bildet
nokon-ma-ga
hanna-de-heldige
fotballpodden-2
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-dannet-uten-piano
unitedno