This is actually very good news. The Pentagon and State Department are doing what they can to verify both sides of the Ukraine aid equation, reports Joe Gould at DefenseNews:
WASHINGTON ― With Congress on track to hit $100 billion in aid this year to help Ukraine repel Russia, the Pentagon’s law enforcement agency is watching for signs of fraud and abuse in the contracts being awarded.
The Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Ukraine focus is on the Pentagon’s many speedy contracting actions and on the potential black market diversion of U.S. aid, said James Ives, principal deputy director for DCIS, which falls under the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. No contracting fraud has become public so far.
“The risk is very real by virtue of the fact that we’re dealing with such an incredible volume of items, many that have warfighting capabilities, and we’re doing it very quickly,†Ives said in an interview. “Any time where you see accelerated efforts of this nature, there’s potential for all sorts of activities that should be of concern.â€
There’s a side to the equation other than the procurement side and they’re taking care to look after that as well:
In an effort to head off criminal exploitation in activities related to Ukraine assistance, Ives in September led a team of DCIS investigators on a trip to Poland, a hub for the transfer of foreign military equipment and supplies to the Ukrainian government. The visit was meant to spread the word that fraud, abuse and diversions should be reported.
“A good deal of our efforts right now are making sure we’re out and about, letting folks know that when these facts come to the government’s attention, investigative agencies need to get involved,†Ives said. “It’s an effort to remind folks that although we understand there’s a need to engage in this accelerated procurement that’s going on, there’s a need to bake oversight into the process.â€
Potential reports could come from the Pentagon workforce, which Ives called the inspector general’s “eyes and ears on the ground,†as well as senior leaders. Meanwhile, he said, investigators received assurances from the Ukrainian government that its officials take potential weapons diversion seriously and, along with the U.S. State Department and military officials, will report any instances to the watchdog agency.
“They fully understand that accountability is expected,†Ives said of Ukrainian officials. “They obviously have a vested interest in ensuring they have the correct processes in place … and they’re certainly aware that any issues need to be brought to the [U.S.] government’s attention.â€
Ives said DCIS coordinates with the State Department and other U.S. law enforcement agencies, and it also maintains “a really strong network of international partners within the law enforcement community.â€
While the Defense and State departments said they haven’t found credible evidence of diversion of U.S.-provided weapons, both say they are taking steps to safeguard those weapons.
Small teams with the defense attache office within the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine have conducted inspections, which include keeping records of aid before it’s handed over and then tracking it from border logistics hubs to the front line, a senior defense official told reporters in October. The Defense Department is also training Ukrainians to provide data from areas where U.S. teams cannot go.
Still, I can’t help but wonder who watches the watchers? It wouldn’t take a lot of corrupt inspectors to result in major diversions of materiel. Not only do we need to ensure that they reach their intended recipients, we need to take steps that they aren’t used against us in some future action.
The piece concludes:
“High-value, accelerated contracting can lead to significant fraud, waste and abuse, and oversight is absolutely paramount when it comes to these types of situations,†Ives said. “We certainly saw in Afghanistan and Iraq that some of the most significant fraud schemes we’ve ever seen came in the early stages of those engagements, where oversight wasn’t a prime consideration. That lesson, I believe, has been learned.â€
$100 billion here and $100 billion there and pretty soon you’re talking about real money. With such a volume and such a velocity, considerable care needs to be taken to avoid fraud.
There is always a high degree of corruption with these programs. Just see Afghanistan and Iraq. Once the money hits the country in question, validation of how it’s being spent is about impossible.
But I think most of the cash money we are giving is going to the government. The US has basically funded the entire operating budget of the Ukraine government this year and likely will next year as well. The other big part of the aid is material – stuff like ammo and HIMARS. One would hope that the Ukrainian government would ensure that stuff goes where it’s needed, but Ukraine has never been strong regarding corruption and accountability.
At least in Ukraine people are willing to fight. In Iraq and Afghanistan I always thought that as soon as we left (maybe even while we were in the act of leaving) that both the govt and the military would bail, especially in Afghanistan. I wont truly be surprised to find out after the war to find out that Zelensky personally benefitted financially but unlike in Afghanistan he has stayed and been willing to actually risk his own life.
Steve
Well now that the watchdogs have been identified they will know who’s palms to grease.
As far as Zelensky, the story’s a bit too good. Someone’s controlling the narrative and the press releases. Zelensky benefits but I’d doubt he can control western media. We’re being led by the nose to support a conflict we can’t understand for the benefit of the arms dealers.
My understanding is Zelensky doesn’t want an audit of the funding and aid going to Ukraine – considered the 3rd most corrupt country in the world. I find it so arrogant of Zelensky to be given an Air Force 2 ride from Ukraine, all the way to the floor of the U.S. Congress, dressed in his signature olive military garb to a standing ovation, by what amounts to clapping Congressional seals. Meanwhile some newspapers are reporting Zelensky is skimming 10% off the top with no end to his demands for U.S. “investments†he detests appropriately to be labeled â€charity.†Why isn’tâ€t Europe involved more in the funding of the Ukraine/Russia dispute? Or, do we profit too much from invasions and wars in other countries, as we willfully ignore the crushing invasion on our own southern border.
A side note but it ties with the post about which institutions is still in favor with a broad mass of Americans.
Harvard-Harris did a poll on those lines. (P16)
The results were interesting — the only 4 with a favorable : unfavorable gap that is bigger then 2:1 is Amazon, U.S military, police, and Ukraine.
Andy: There is always a high degree of corruption with these programs.
Of course. A rule of thumb is that half is wasted—assuming good governance.
Jan: Meanwhile some newspapers are reporting Zelensky is skimming 10% off the top with no end to his demands
“People say Trump is the greatest president in history.” — Donald Trump
steve: At least in Ukraine people are willing to fight.
Most of the aid is having a demonstrable impact. Ukraine had a prewar economy that was an eighth the size of Russia’s, and a much smaller population. Both economies have suffered, but Ukraine’s economy is virtually destroyed. Yet, Ukraine is making significant gains against the Russian army, which is in disarray and has lost its best soldiers and hardware.
Since the United States is the largest munitions manufacturer in the world by a considerable margin, providing arms to Ukraine is a backdoor subsidy to the U. S. economy. Filtered through the arms manufacturers that is. Check out a list of U. S. exports some time.
““People say Trump is the greatest president in history.†— Donald Trump”
Coincidentally the same people making the claims about Zelensky. You will notice that none of this is ever sourced. Guess that would take too much time away from viewing the trading cards.
Steve