Foreign Affairs

While the United States has been the preeminent superpower on the world stage ever since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the sobering reality is that we are no longer alone and unchallenged. There isn't just one explanation for this. China's rampant growth and transition into a legitimate power is one. Vladimir Putin taking Russia down a dark path of aggression and bloodshed in Europe is another, as is Iran's ever-present goal of wiping Israel off the map. Rogue nations like North Korea and international terrorism remain omnipresent threats, as well. 

Ensuring that we take strong deterrence measures, support our allies, and send clear signals to our adversaries are the best tools we have to prevent largescale global conflict and ensure the United States never has to fight another world war. They are also the best ways to assure continued peace and prosperity for the American people at home. Ronald Reagan understood this well, as did the Trump Administration. 

Right now, the world is watching. With Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, the world is reminded of what Vladimir Putin is capable of when the White House projects weakness and division instead of unity and power. We must continue helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression while shoring up the NATO alliance, the strategic goal of which is to deter any further conflict in Europe and prevent the United States from being dragged into war. 

I am deeply concerned by the Chinese government's interest in replacing the United States as the pre-eminent power in the Indo-Pacific region. Chinese regional hegemony in the economic, diplomatic, and military domains would mark an end to the post-World War II rules-based international order that the United States has defended for over 75 years and an end to free navigation and economic choice in the fastest growing region in the world. 

As China grows its hegemony throughout the world and expands its manipulative and predatory alliances, the United States must be ready to compete with and confront Beijing at every turn. This means stepping up to meet the challenges of developing nations with growing economies and young populations. We are the preferred partner across the globe, but other nations will enter other spheres of influence in the absence of American leadership. We also should leverage soft power tools like a robust international trade policy and commitment to development and disaster relief assistance to ensure the Global South does not become subservient to Xi Jinping.

Following the Biden Administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, I was the first member of congress to introduce any Afghanistan-related legislation. After nearly 20 years of continuous deployment, the sacrifice of over 2,000 American lives, and $2 trillion dollars in taxpayer money, the American people deserve to know what went wrong in the days and months leading up to the Biden Administration’s withdrawal. The Afghanistan Accountability Act was a crucial first step in identifying the breakdown between the intelligence community, Department of Defense leadership, and administration officials that facilitated this humanitarian and geopolitical crisis. Key portions of the bill were included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

Though our country faces many challenges, the spirit and resolve of the American people will allow us to overcome if we work together. I am eager to unify Americans and offer productive solutions that restore our national power and influence on the world stage.