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Pete Buttigieg on Foreign Policy
Democratic Presidential Challenger; IN Mayor
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China uses technology for perfection of dictatorship
Q: Should the US do more than protest and issue sanctions against China? Should the US, for example, boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympics?Pete Buttigieg: I think that any tool ought to be on the table, especially diplomatic, economic and social tools
like what you're describing. Look, for the president to let it be known that his silence--whether it's on the rounding up of Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang, putting them into camps, or the aspirations of the people of Hong Kong for democracy--for him
to let China know that his silence can be purchased is trashing American values. What message is that sending to the Chinese Communist Party? We have to acknowledge what's going on over there. The use of technology for the perfection of dictatorship. The
Source: Newshour/Politico/PBS December Democratic primary debate
, Dec 19, 2019
Trump welcomes white nationalists, plays at being pro-Israel
What we are seeing are the consequences of this president's failure. It's particularly disturbing in Israel, making US foreign policy choices to interfere in Israeli domestic politics.
Acting as though that somehow makes him pro-Israel and pro- Jewish while welcoming white nationalists into The White House.
Source: Newshour/Politico/PBS December Democratic primary debate
, Dec 19, 2019
Syrian Civil War partially based on climate security
Some of the things [done by President Trump on climate change] by executive action we can do undo by executive action. But this time, let's actually some put legislation behind it so it's not at the whim of a president.But I think the real issue,
especially in very conservative places like where I live in Indiana, the real conversation we've got to have is about what's at stake here beyond the traditional battle lines that have been drawn. This ought to be a bipartisan issue.
This once was a bipartisan issue. And now it's gone completely off the rails.
So let's talk about some other dimensions of what's at stake. Let's talk about national security at a time when our military leaders say that this is one of the greatest
threats to stability. There's a lot of evidence that the Syria civil war is one of the first that was partly caused as a consequence of climate change. We really want to talk about security, let's talk about securing the lives of future generations.
Source: CNN Climate Crisis Town Hall marathon (10 Democrats)
, Sep 4, 2019
Restore U.S. credibility by leading world on big challenges
My focus will be restoring U.S. credibility by pulling together in the name of American values, that our country at its best has upheld and advanced but are also universal shared values. The U.S. could be restoring our credibility by leading the world
in facing some of the biggest challenges we have, from issues like climate to stability in the global economy, to advancing human rights and democracy, to things like dealing with terrorist threats.
Source: Meet the Press interview for 2019 Democratic primary
, Aug 25, 2019
Accept both cooperation and conflict with China
Beijing seems committed to consolidating authoritarian capitalism as an alternative to the democratic capitalism embraced by the United States and its allies. Where necessary, we should seek cooperation with Beijing, such as in addressing climate
disruption, maintaining strategic stability, combatting terrorism, and managing conflict. But the United States must defend our fundamental values, core interests, and critical alliances, and accept that this will often entail friction with China.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Jul 30, 2019
Sanctions on Russia; support for Ukraine
We must keep tough, targeted, and effective economic and financial sanctions on Russia as long as it continues to assault Ukrainian territory and citizens and continues to illegally occupy Ukrainian territory. Countering Russian aggression also means
supporting Ukraine's independence and ability to make and implement sovereign foreign policy decisions by supporting Ukraine's political, economic, and defense capabilities.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Jul 30, 2019
We must reset our relationship with Saudi Arabia
The United States must halt military support for the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen. As president, I would suspend all arms sales to Saudi Arabia that could be used in the Yemen war. We need to increase our diplomatic efforts and work with our allies to
end the conflict itself, which has generated the world's worst humanitarian crisis and helped to spread extremism. We must reset our relationship with Saudi Arabia, so that our interests and values drive the relationship--not the other way around.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Jul 30, 2019
Supports 2-state solution, but not current Israeli policies
I do support a two-state solution. The US alliance with Israel and support for Israel's security have long been fundamental tenets of US policy. But this is not a zero-sum game. I have clearly and strongly stated my support for the security of Israel,
and I have also said that I disagree with policies being carried out by the current Israeli administration. A two-state solution that achieves legitimate Palestinian aspirations and meets Israel's security needs remains the only viable way forward.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Jul 30, 2019
Targeted sanctions against Venezuelan officials
Our end-state in Venezuela is a peaceful transfer of power to an interim constitutional government followed by free and fair elections. I would continue to apply targeted sanctions against regime officials--but broad economic sanctions, such as
those pursued by the Trump administration, run the risk of hurting innocent Venezuelans enabling the Maduro regime to promote the false narrative that the U.S. is responsible for the country's misery.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary
, Jul 30, 2019
US foreign policy should be based on American values
Our own view needs to be based on the idea that American interests, American values, and American relationships all need to fit together. Under this administration, the U.S. does not have a foreign policy. Maybe an approach, but the approach is not
pretty. It involves coddling dictators. It involves blaming fellow Americans for a lot of the problems we have around the world. It's no substitute for a policy in which the U.S. is leading.
Source: CBS Face the Nation 2019 interview
, Jun 16, 2019
Work with allies in region & elsewhere on Middle East
Our allies in the Middle East are going to be concerned, first and foremost, with their own security. We need to make sure that we have tensions deescalate, rather than escalate, when it comes to what's going on there. It's not only allies in the
region, but allies across the globe who have an interest in stopping any pathway toward the Middle East becoming any more violent, any more unstable than it already is.
Source: NBC News Meet the Press 2019 interview
, Jun 16, 2019
We can lead the world or resent it; we can't do both
It's very clear that the U.S. is adrift. Under this administration, the U.S. does not have a foreign policy. Maybe an approach, but the approach is not pretty. It involves coddling dictators. It involves blaming fellow Americans for a lot of
the problems we have. It's no substitute for a policy in which the U.S. is leading. We can either lead the rest of the world or we can resent the rest of the world. We can't do both.
Source: CBS Face the Nation 2019 interview series
, Jun 16, 2019
Regional & global allies have interest in Middle East peace
Our allies in the Middle East are going to be concerned with their own security. We need to make sure that we have tensions deescalate, rather than escalate, when it comes to what's going on there.
It's not only allies in the region, but allies across the globe who have an interest in stopping any pathway toward the Middle East becoming any more violent, any more unstable than it already is.
Source: Meet the Press 2019 interview series
, Jun 16, 2019
Isolationism is not right way for us to go
Ever since the Iraq War, it's been difficult for the Democratic Party to feel out what we believe the limits, the boundaries and the basis of foreign policy can be. We were so horrified by the wrong steps taken toward Iraq some felt pushed in the
direction of isolationism, which I don't think is the right way for us to go. Now is a moment that we establish a new set of foundations for how American values, American interests, and American relationships are going to interact with each other.
Source: CNN "SOTU" 2019 interview series
, Jun 16, 2019
Foreign policy grounded in American interests for 2050s
I often speak of the need for our politics and policies to contemplate the year 2054, the year in which I hope to retire. Thinking about the world three to four decades from now is exactly how we need to compete with countries like
China, because that is how they are thinking, planning, and investing. To cope with enormous change, American foreign policy for the future must be securely grounded in American values, American interests, and American relationships.
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website, PeteForAmerica.com
, Jun 11, 2019
Supports Israel; situation more complex than seen in media
I think there's a risk that Israel could come to be regarded as a partisan issue, and I think that would be really unfortunate. One of the first things you realize when you get on the ground is this is not a left versus right issue.
We met a lot of people from the Israeli left who have complicated and nuanced views of what is going on [including the] relationship with Iran. Unfortunately, these things are reduced into a black and white picture sometimes in the American media.
Source: Common Dreams e-zine on 2020 Democratic primary
, Apr 3, 2019
Use diplomatic strategies in Venezuela, not military
The situation in Venezuela is highly disturbing. I think the Maduro regime has lost its legitimacy. That doesn't mean we carelessly threaten military force. To the extent that sanctions can be targeted and focused on trying to bring about free and fair
elections so that there can be self-determination by the Venezuelan people, that puts in a government that has legitimacy, then we should do our part not through force, but through the diplomatic toolkit to try to bring that outcome about.
Source: CNN Town Hall: back-to-back 2020 presidential hopefuls
, Mar 10, 2019
Pay attention to assessments of intelligence agencies
Q: Would you meet with Kim Jong-un?A: I think it would make more sense to have that happen in a framework of concrete achievements.
You don't just get to have a meeting, declare the nuclear threat to be over, then wind up being embarrassed and contradicted by your own intelligence chiefs.
As a military officer serving overseas, I was part of the intelligence community. And there is not a more reality-based group of people in this country.
You actually have to understand and legitimize and take seriously their assessments before you have any business having a one-on-one with the leader of a hostile foreign power like North Korea.
Source: ABC This Week 2019 interviews for 2020 Democratic primary
, Feb 3, 2019
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2020