Military aid refers to assistance—often in the form of money, weapons, or training—provided to help a country defend itself, fight insurgencies, or even support rebel groups. In the 21st century, powerful nations increasingly use it as a low-risk tool for power projection, employing "train, advise, and assist" missions to influence allies without direct conflict. This aid is frequently bundled with development aid, as seen with the US's AFRICOM and UN peacekeeping, to address both physical security and root causes of instability like poverty. The World Bank notes that combining military and development aid can reduce the probability of civil war onset by up to 50%. However, it carries significant drawbacks: when misdirected, it can fuel repression, empower illiberal governments, and even increase extrajudicial killings, as demonstrated by research on Colombia during the war on drugs. Ultimately, while military aid can create stability, its effectiveness is highly contextual and controversial.