The issue of international affairs during the US presidency encompasses a wide range of diplomatic, economic, and security challenges. This includes managing relationships with other countries, negotiating treaties and trade agreements, addressing global threats, and promoting American interests and values abroad. Currently, prominent foreign matters include, relations between China, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the tensions in Gaza involving Israel and Palestine. Given the significant impact of foreign affairs on the economy and human rights, voters especially prioritize issues of international conflict, making them pivotal factors in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.has emerged as an outspoken critic of U.S support for Ukraine against Russian forces. He claims that the West deliberately disrupted peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in 2022 and that the U.S. wants to remove Russia’s authoritarian president, Vladimir Putin. Kennedy’s views also include his belief that NATO expansions provoked the Ukraine conflict and that Biden is putting Ukraine before Americans. He believes that the U.S. is a militaristic imperial power and advocates for a new peace movement, to reject hostile escalation and to shift towards peace rather than an empire.
Quotes:
“I abhor Russia’s brutal and bloody invasion of that nation,”
“But we must understand that our government has also contributed to its circumstances through repeated deliberate provocations of Russia going back to the 1990s.”
“not too late for us to voluntarily let go of empire and serve peace instead.”
Donald Trump:
Former President Donald Trump’s primary aim is to safeguard America from any form of threats and keep America out of unnecessary foreign wars. To protect Americans specifically from the threat of nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles, he promises to build an advanced missile defense shield. Trump has a long history of criticizing NATO and has claimed that under his presidency, America would fundamentally rethink NATO’s purpose and mission. Furthermore, Trump has maintained good relations and connections with authoritarian figures such as Russia, China, and North Korea’s leaders and he continues to show his support to Israel amidst the conflict. He also promises to secure our Southern border with Mexico, by continuing his previous project of building a wall and utilizing special forces to attack Mexican drug cartels.
Quotes:
“ My foreign policy will always put the interests of the American people and American security above all else. It has to be first. Has to be.”
“When I am president, it will be the policy of the United States to take down the cartels, just as we took down ISIS and the ISIS caliphate”
“Finally, we have to finish the process we began under my Administration of fundamentally reevaluating NATO’s purpose and NATO’s mission”
“Our foreign policy establishment keeps trying to pull the world into conflict with a nuclear-armed Russia based on the lie that Russia represents our greatest threat. But the greatest threat to Western Civilization today is not Russia … It’s the abolition of our national borders. “
Joe Biden:
President Biden has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of preventing Russia’s invasion to maintain global security and has given $200 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Regarding China, Biden aims to address its aggression by strengthening alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, he has demonstrated support for Israel, providing military aid while also advocating for a temporary ceasefire.
Quotes:
“We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack. There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse.”
“we must start with diplomacy rooted in America’s most cherished democratic values: defending freedom, championing opportunity, upholding universal rights, respecting the rule of law, and treating every person with dignity. That’s the grounding wire of our global policy — our global power.”
“as the President has promised, diplomacy – not military action – will always come first” – the Biden Administration
