Morning Briefing

Reuters examines how the efforts of "budget-minded lawmakers [in the new U.S. Congress will] seek to curb costs without undercutting military operations" could impact U.S.-backed aid programs, including those in Afghanistan. "'[Y]ou'll see a Republican party focused on funding the military effort while trying to cut back on civilian assistance,' said one Democratic congressional aide, speaking on condition of anonymity," according to Reuters. "A senior Republican aide said many lawmakers in the new Congress would be reluctant to fund State Department or aid programs, especially those in conflict zones, in part because they believed State had poorly managed its activities in Iraq."