State of Indiana Archives: on War & Peace


Pete Buttigieg: Be more judicious when committing troops

Buttigieg thinks there should be a higher standard for committing American troops overseas. He's criticized the threat of sending ground troops to places such as˙Venezuela or Syria, though he would support targeted military action in Syria. "There has to be a pathway to ending endless war." He thinks America is losing credibility overseas and should re-establish itself as a world leader through diplomacy. The current policy of America˙first, he has said, is leaving America isolated.
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2020 presidential hopefuls May 6, 2019

Mike Braun: Re-impose sanctions on Iran for nuclear capability

Iran: Support President Trump withdrawing from treaty limiting Iran's nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?

Braun: Yes. Also supports re-imposing sanctions.

Donnelly: No. Concerned about the resumption of nuclear development. Sees new sanctions as "a good backup plan."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Indiana Senate race Nov 1, 2018

Andrew Straw: Treaties with allies instead of empire-building attitudes

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Avoid foreign entanglements"?

A: Support. Instead of expensive wars and belligerent empire-building attitudes, we need treaties with strong allies that reduce conflict around the world, while also increasing democracy and rights/freedoms of regular people everywhere.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Indiana Senate candidate Feb 28, 2018

Mike Braun: Defeat ISIS terrorists where they live

From North Korea to Russia, despots and dictators are increasing instability and danger throughout the world. To combat the rising tide of uncertainty, a strong American military is needed more than ever before. Mike Braun supports making sure our troops have the tools and equipment they need to protect America's interests abroad and defeat ISIS terrorists where they live.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senate campaign website MikeBraunForIndiana.com Feb 3, 2018

Mark Hurt: Strengthen military to deal with Iran

In foreign relations, these last 8 years, we lost respect among allies, enabling the rise and expansion of extreme ideologies. Given what is taking place in Iran, the lack of emphasis on our military strength is leading to an escalation in nuclear weapons and the expansion of terrorism."
Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website MarkHurt.com Oct 15, 2017

Luke Messer: Get tough with North Korea

America cannot accept North Korea having the capability of bringing nuclear weapons to our shores. We must make the hard choices that it will take to ensure that result. We need to make it clear that it is not OK to do business with North Korea. [We] could look at broader efforts such as a full oil embargo of North Korea, which would require international cooperation, and we need to look at military options, too, which starts first and foremost with further development in missile defense.
Source: The Star Press on 2018 Indiana Senate race Sep 21, 2017

Mark Hurt: We lost allies' respect, enabling rise of extreme ideologies

Hurt states: "In foreign relations, these last 8 years, we lost respect among allies, enabling the rise and expansion of extreme ideologies. Given what is taking place in Iran, the lack of emphasis on our military strength is leading to an escalation in nuclear weapons and the expansion of terrorism."

Hurt noted nearly 80% of the business profits flowing into Iran after the lifting of sanctions flows to companies and subsidiaries owned and managed by the Ayatollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Hurt noted that Russia's recent delivery of surface to air missile systems emplaced around the Iranian uranium enrichment facility, the increased Cyberattacks by both the Peoples Republic of China and Russia, the Russian expansion of military bases near large oil reserves in the Arctic, the attacks in the Ukraine and the positioning of Russian and Iranian tanks just above Israel's northern border are disturbing and potentially destabilizing.

Source: 2018 Indiana Senate race website, MarkHurt.org Mar 3, 2017

Jim Banks: Military sanctions against Iran

One clear lesson Jim Banks learned from his time in Afghanistan is the importance of reliable allies. Elect Jim Banks to Congress and he will:Nation-states like Iran who use military might to influence their neighbors must be subject to swift, strong reaction from the US and the international community. As a state senator, Jim co-authored sanctions against Iran in response to their beligerant behavior. Iran's record on human rights is beyond reprehensible.
Source: 2016 Indiana House campaign website JimBanks.us Nov 8, 2016

Eric Holcomb: Iran funds terrorism; no nuclear deal

It is a foregone conclusion that President Obama's so-called nuclear deal with Iran will take effect. We know Iran funds terrorism in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. This deal now allows them the time and money needed to prepare to expand their regional control, and makes peace in the Middle East less likely, and war all the more likely.

This so-called deal with Iran is a perfect example of what happens when America draws down and negotiates from a position of desperation. This deal isn't just a bad deal, it's dangerous. It gives the appearance of progress but, buried deep within the 157 pages of text, there are a multitude of reasons to be alarmed.

  1. The deal lacks anytime, anywhere inspections
  2. This deal will send over a $100 billion to an Iranian regime that will use them to stockpile the newest conventional weapons available
  3. After just 10 to 15 years, all restrictions on their full enrichment production will be lifted.
Source: Holcomb OpEd on Medium.com for 2016 Indiana Senate race Sep 8, 2015

Richard Lugar: US is not going to have troops in Afghanistan indefinitely

Asked about prospects for reducing the U.S. military's presence abroad, Mourdock decried an "inexcusable foreign policy failure in our withdrawal from Iraq" and said the Obama administration "cannot lead from behind."

Saying the U.S. is not going to have troops in Afghanistan "indefinitely," Lugar favored efforts to fortify U.S. military strength in Asia and using intelligence resources "more skillfully."

Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on 2012 Indiana Senate debate Apr 12, 2012

Richard Mourdock: Inexcusable failure to withdraw from Iraq

Asked about prospects for reducing the U.S. military's presence abroad, Mourdock decried an "inexcusable foreign policy failure in our withdrawal from Iraq" and said the Obama administration "cannot lead from behind."

Saying the U.S. is not going to have troops in Afghanistan "indefinitely," Lugar favored efforts to fortify U.S. military strength in Asia and using intelligence resources "more skillfully."

Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on 2012 Indiana Senate debate Apr 12, 2012

Richard Mourdock: inexcusable failure to turn tail & run in Iraq

Lugar frequently touted his nuclear nonproliferation program, co-authored 20 years ago with then-Sen. Sam Nunn (a Democrat), while Mourdock admitted that, as a state office holder, he did not have the same "access" to that kind of information. Mourdock called the withdrawal of troops from Iraq an "inexcusable foreign policy failure," arguing "we cannot turn tail and run."
Source: RealClearPoitics.com coverage of 2012 Indiana Senate debates Apr 12, 2012

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