WHAT: Afghan President Hamid Karzai is blocking efforts by U.S. officials to track billions in reconstruction money entering his nation’s economy, stymieing efforts to combat money laundering, blatant corruption and terrorist financing.

HOW: Karzai banned U.S. Treasury officials from accessing the Afghan central bank since May by encouraging “hostile working conditions” for advisers there, according to a new audit by the Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

WHY IT’S OUTRAGEOUS: “The United States has poured billions of aid dollars into a country plagued by corruption, insurgency and the narcotics trade,” Special Inspector General Herbert Richardson said. Afghanistan must become a “full partner” fighting corruption.