Influence is a huge part of it and fraud has also, there's always that ten percent for the big guy going on. What most people don't understand though, is the US makes back on what it gives as that aid is required to be spent on US services and goods provided to whatever country receives the aid. Whether it's spend on food or building infrastructure or manufacturing, all materials are bought from US providers.
RE: USAID: should the United States be responsible for the whole world?