My commitment to overcoming authoritarianism doesn’t stop at American borders. The rise of right-wing leaders with authoritarian tendencies is not simply an American phenomenon. Global peace means not bowing down to authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin or Viktor Orbán, as Donald Trump and his cronies have done. Instead, we must support democratic movements worldwide while still avoiding unnecessary military intervention which historically worsens outcomes on the ground and hurts American interests.
It’s also of incredible importance that members of Congress speak out against human rights abuses across the world that too often are overlooked. In Congress, I will always uplift the voices of activists fighting for peace and democracy worldwide. I will also use my platform and powers as a member of Congress to call for the United States to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords, recognize the International Criminal Court, and rejoin the World Health Organization.
Putin’s war in Ukraine presents one of the most brazen instances of an illegal and immoral invasion of one country by another since World War II. The United States must exert significant diplomatic pressure on Russia and its allies to end the war and recognize full Ukrainian sovereignty over its rightful territory, including Crimea which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Hopefully this will be accomplished before I enter Congress but if the war persists, I will support additional humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine.
As with regard to Taiwan, the United States must continue to support Taiwan in the face of increasing Chinese aggression and attempts to undermine Taiwan’s internationally recognized status as a state of its own.
For decades, American foreign policy has recklessly resulted in mass death and displacement, dehumanization, and seemingly endless wars like the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. We cannot allow taxpayer funds to go to war crimes, whether those crimes are committed by American soldiers, contractors, or our allies. Countries and militaries that receive financial assistance and weapons from the United States must abide by the simple principle that they must abide by international law if they want to continue receiving American aid. Otherwise, Congress and the State Department must work to ensure that weapons recipients are investigated for their conduct and military aid is rescinded, as per the Leahy amendments to the Arms Export Control Act and other related legislation.
Trump and Elon Musk’s dismantling of critical USAID programs and other foreign assistance threaten millions and must be immediately restored. Trump’s funding cuts to one HIV prevention program alone have already caused an estimated 65,000 deaths and counting and undermine American global leadership on human rights and basic morality. American humanitarian programs literally save lives and create opportunities for millions of people worldwide.
My foreign policy centers people, not the governments or groups claiming to represent them. In that spirit, I believe in holding our allies accountable, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. For too long, the United States has let allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia commit egregious acts with American taxpayer-funded weapons. I am a proud Palestinian-American, but people of all backgrounds and ethnicities should be disturbed by our government’s complicity in Israel’s 58-year-long illegal occupation of the West Bank and the ongoing attacks on Gaza, which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, including infants and children. I have called and continue to call for a comprehensive bilateral ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which results in the restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of hostages held in Gaza, and a total Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. It is imperative that we work with our allies to set the stage for lasting peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
Additionally, the United States must recognize the State of Palestine. It is not enough to end this war: We must help rebuild Gaza and create a place at the table for Palestinian people. Peace in the region is impossible when a population is subjected to statelessness, restriction of rights and movement, and systematic dehumanization. By recognizing Palestinian statehood, both Israelis and Palestinians can more effectively navigate negotiations for a lasting peace that protects all people in the region.
In a time of global uncertainty, we must also strengthen our relationships with allies closer to home, reaffirming our friendly relations with our closest neighbors. Donald Trump’s threats to annex or invade Canada are completely unacceptable and threaten the rules-based order that American diplomats and elected leaders should be promoting. Likewise, buying Greenland, annexing the Panama Canal, and violating any state’s sovereignty must be completely off the table.
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