2. Foreign Policy and the 2024 Election (feat. Peter Rough)
Aug 23, 2023
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Peter Rough, Senior fellow and director, previews key foreign policy issues for the 2024 GOP primary debate, discussing the evolution of Republican foreign policy, decline in support for US engagement in Ukraine, nuclear saber rattling, GOP opinion on NATO, and other foreign policy issues in the 2024 election.
Supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia can help restore America's confidence on the international stage.
Republican candidates prioritize American interests and push back against adversaries instead of solely focusing on democracy promotion.
Deep dives
The Historic Opportunity in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine provides the United States with an opportunity to degrade one of its major adversaries, Russia, without shedding American blood. With hundreds of thousands of Russian casualties and a substantial reduction in their conventional weapons arsenal, supporting Ukraine can help restore America's confidence and reinvigorate its position on the international stage.
Shift in Republican Foreign Policy Focus
The Republican Party's foreign policy perspective has shifted from democracy promotion to a national interest-based approach. Candidates are prioritizing a more narrowly defined American interest and pushing back against adversaries rather than focusing solely on democracy. There is still an understanding of the importance of containing enemies and advancing national interests.
The Importance of NATO and Europe
NATO and Europe remain crucial to the Republican Party's foreign policy discussions. While there is recognition of the alliance's success, there is also a call for burden-sharing and increased defense spending from European allies. The war in Ukraine highlights the need for strong alliances and cohesive efforts to counter Russia's aggression.
China, Middle East, and Mexico
China is a major foreign policy concern, with candidates emphasizing the need to counter its rise and address issues such as Taiwan and trade. The Middle East continues to play a role, particularly regarding energy resources, Israel's security, and the lingering threat of terrorist organizations like ISIS. Additionally, the security challenges posed by Mexican drug cartels and the impact on the United States require attention.
With the first Republican presidential primary debate set to kick off the 2024 presidential election, Peter Rough joins Arsenal of Democracy to preview the key foreign policy issues that will be front and center for candidates. Peter and Marshall Kosloff discuss what has changed for the GOP since then-candidate Donald Trump burst onto the scene, how political leaders should think about and approach the war in Ukraine, and other key regions and theaters.
Peter Rough is a senior fellow and director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at Hudson Institute. Find his policy brief, “Why a Ukrainian Victory Matters to Americans,” discussed in the episode, here.
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