Senator Coons Defends $20 Million Funding for Sesame Street in Iraq

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) has publicly defended the U.S. government's $20 million investment in producing Sesame Street in Iraq, asserting that it serves a critical role in promoting public health and countering extremism. During a CNN interview, Coons emphasized that the children's program teaches values of collaboration and peacefulness, which are vital in a region affected by ISIS and terrorism. He described the funding as a minimal expenditure compared to the overall budget of the U.S. Department of Defense, framing it as an investment in 'smart power' and international diplomacy. Critics have challenged the justification for this spending, labeling it as wasteful and questioning its effectiveness in the context of U.S. national security. Despite the backlash, Coons reiterated the program's importance in shaping positive behaviors among Iraqi children and providing an alternative to extremist ideologies. The funding is part of a broader initiative by USAID to foster inclusion and respect in post-conflict societies.