GAO faults State, USAID for poor oversight of $1.2 billion China counter-influence effort

The State Department and USAID poured $1.2 billion into initiatives meant to counter China's global influence, yet the Government Accountability Office found they didn't properly assess their effectiveness. This lack of oversight raises concerns about how taxpayer dollars are spent and whether these efforts are actually achieving their intended goals. The issue underscores the importance of rigorous evaluation in international programs, especially given the geopolitical stakes involved in countering foreign influence.