With the unexpected news of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 United States presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic front-runner, the spotlight now shifts to how Harris’s foreign policy would differ from Biden’s approach. Harris’s rapid rise through the political ranks from a career prosecutor to state attorney general to first-term senator has culminated in her current position as Vice President. While her foreign policy background may not be as extensive as Biden’s, her four years in the White House have provided her with invaluable international relations experience that few can match.
- Harris’s Approach to Foreign Policy:
- Harris’s worldview and policy preferences diverge from Biden’s in significant ways. While Biden’s perspective is colored by his Cold War upbringing and belief in American exceptionalism, Harris, a product of a post-Cold War era, emphasizes the importance of upholding democratic ideals both at home and abroad. She views relationships with non-democratic countries as necessary and is critical of Biden’s simplistic “democracies vs autocracies” framework, advocating for multilateral approaches and leading by example in a changing global landscape.
- Policy Areas and Differences:
- On China, Harris and Biden are aligned in the need for cooperation where possible while competing on national security issues. Harris has been particularly focused on strengthening America’s Indo-Pacific relationships, planning to intensify the “pivot to Asia” beyond Biden’s current strategy.
- In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both Harris and Biden support Ukraine, but their motivations differ. While Harris prioritizes Russia’s violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, Biden frames it as a battle between democracy and autocracy. This contrast in perspective may lead to differing policy decisions in the future, especially concerning ceasefire agreements and negotiations.
- A significant divide between Biden and Harris lies in their approach to the Israel-Palestine issue. Harris is more sensitive to alleged Israeli violations of international law and is supportive of Palestinian statehood, aiming to pressure Israel’s government to uphold the rule of law while maintaining the special security partnership with America.
As the 2024 election approaches, Kamala Harris’s potential to shape global affairs offers a unique and distinct perspective on international leadership. While sharing some common ground with President Biden, her nuanced worldview promises a fresh approach to foreign policy that reflects the complexities of the modern world. As Harris’s role on the international stage continues to evolve, her impact on US global strategy for the next presidential term is becoming increasingly clear.
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