Issue Position: Foreign Policy

Issue Position

The United States is the only nation on earth capable of defending itself and its allies against major military threats. Maintaining strong armed forces remains absolutely necessary in today's dangerous world. Nevertheless, we must choose their missions carefully and define them clearly.

Our national security is always better served through international stability than through conflict. When potential armed conflicts arise, we should try to prevent them with diplomacy. Of course, it is even better to build better good relationships and create partners rather than adversaries. I covered civil wars in the former Soviet Union as well as in Bosnia, Somalia Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan as a network news correspondent. For the most part, they were futile and unnecessary.

Where we have invaded other countries, I feel we have some responsibility to repair the damage we caused. It is also in our long-term interest to do so. Wherever possible, I'd like to see combat missions end and troops withdrawn as quickly as possible. At the same time, we must be careful about leaving a power vacuum. This is the time for coalition building with our allies. I'd like to see a new Marshall Plan for reconstruction.

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