As for overseas aid keeping people sweet - that's a bit dubious IMO (but only IMO) as when push comes to shove you can't rely on the people you bribed to stay honest.
(Amazingly enough).
As we have been finding out more frequently in recent years... I dread to think how much "bribe money" has been paid in the last half century that has been ignored when the western powers have asked for "consideration".
The moment you share your survival with another you guarantee the survival of neither.