The Best Things in Life Are Free (But Give Me Money)

The excellent Laura Rozen, in War and Piece, came across the US administration's budget request for the 2009 financial year, for foreign affairs, foreign operations, and foreign aid. Lebanon comes in for $142 million, money meant for "countering threats to Lebanon's sovereignty and security from armed groups backed by Iran and Syria."

Rozen also notes that the administration is requesting a $826 million budget for its foreign affairs in Pakistan.

There are approximately 162 million people in Pakistan. The US investment in Pakistan would be, therefore, about $5.10 per person. There are around four million people in Lebanon. That means that the per capita expenditure of the US in Lebanon will be around $35.50 -- or about seven times greater than for each Pakistani.

We love you. We really love you.