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Andrew Yang on War & Peace
Democratic Presidential Challenger & Tech CEO
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Require Congress to declare war
Q: In the wake of the assassination of General Soleimani, how would you have handled the situation differently than President Trump?YANG: A U.K. official said the purpose of having allies is so we can surprise our enemies, not each other. 75% of
Americans want nothing to do with war with Iran. Our killing General Soleimani was a disproportionate step in a conflict between us and Iran that led us to the brink of war. So I would never have put us in that position in the first place.
I would certainly never escalate conflicts based upon a provocative action that was not commensurate with what had happened before. I would tear up the AUMF and return the power to declare war back to Congress, where it belongs in our Constitution.
It should be an act of Congress to declare war, and then invest in diplomacy and alliances around the world so that our allies know that we're not going to act abruptly or unilaterally without being in partnership with them.
Source: CNN N. H. Town Hall on eve of 2020 N. H. primary
, Feb 5, 2020
Declaring war is an act of Congress
If we're going to declare war, it has to be an act of Congress. Clearly, if there is some event overseas that requires some small-scale retaliation that's not a full-fledged act of war, then that's within the scope of the executive branch.
But if it's going to be a multi- year commitment or an act that is going to bring us towards a significant commitment, it should be an act of Congress and the American people.
Source: CNN Town Hall 2020: Presidential/NYC Mayoral race
, Feb 5, 2020
We've been in continuous armed conflict for 18 years
I've signed a pledge to end the forever wars. We've been in a state of continuous armed conflict for 18 years, which is not what the American people want. We have to start owning what we can and can't do. We're not very good at rebuilding countries.
And if you want proof, all you have to do is look within our own country of Puerto Rico.We've spent trillions of dollars to unclear benefits, lost thousands of lives--And the goal has to be to rebuild the relationships that have made
America strong for decades.
I would lead our armed forces with restraint and judgment. What the American people want is simply a president who has the right values and point of view and they can trust to make
the right decisions when it comes to putting our young men and women into harm's way. And that's what I would do as president.
Source: September Democratic Primary debate in Houston
, Sep 12, 2019
Leaving Iran deal was a massive strategic mistake
Leaving the JCPOA was a massive strategic mistake, and one that only served to increase the likelihood of armed conflict in the country. The American people have no desire for armed conflict with Iran, which would lead to another multi-decade engagement
that would spread throughout the region and have no clear benefit for the American people. We need to get Iran back in compliance with the limitations placed on them under the agreement on nuclear materials and enrichment capabilities.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Aug 9, 2019
Need to accept incremental gains on N. Korea nukes
You can't find solutions to problems if you're not willing to talk. I would engage with North Korea without preconditions in order to find a path towards complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization.
We can't leave any options off the table, and we need to accept incremental gains in order to reach our eventual goal.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Aug 9, 2019
Bring combat troops home from Afghanistan, but stay involved
I've signed the pledge to End the Forever Wars. We need to get our combat troops out of Afghanistan. By utilizing our diplomatic options, we can bring our troops home. However, we have to continue our involvement in order to ensure that the rights of
individuals--in particular, women and young girls--are protected, and that terrorist organizations can't reform within the borders. We can do this through helping the country to diversify its economy and maintaining diplomatic ties.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Aug 9, 2019
May need more troops in Afghanistan
Q: Would there be American troops in Afghanistan at the end of your first term?
A: "It's impossible to know that for sure, given that reality on the ground might lead us to have more people there."
Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com)
, Jun 18, 2019
Limited foreign intervention; restore Congress's role in war
On declarations of war: First, I would push back the ability to declare war back to Congress where it belongs. And second, I would be very judicious and restrained about intervening in other country's affairs,
where if we go in significantly, there are going to be vital national interests at stake that we can achieve in a defined timeframe.
Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls
, Apr 14, 2019
Repeal post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force
- Foreign policy and defense: Supports NATO, would create a secretary of cybersecurity.
- Yang believes in NATO and other international alliances, and would institute regular Pentagon audits.
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He would repeal the "Authorization for Use of Military Force" enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and hand the power to declare war back to Congress.
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As part of his focus on reducing military spending, Yang would redirect 10 percent of the annual military budget to a domestic infrastructure initiative called the "Legion of Builders and Destroyers."
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He would also create a secretary of cybersecurity position.
Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls
, Mar 19, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 29, 2021