Introduction

Yuri Kadobnov/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Accusing the United States of meddling in its internal affairs, the Putin government has ordered an end to American aid for democracy advocates and other groups in Russia. The goal of the aid seems commendable: encouraging greater freedom. But Russia and other nascent democracies like Egypt say such efforts inject the United States into local politics.

Is it proper and useful for the United States to finance such projects?