Marianne Williamson in Council on Foreign Relations


On Energy & Oil: Invest in renewable energy, both in US and abroad

We have the opportunity to leapfrog over fossil fuels and dirty energy and build clean renewable energy systems in developing countries. The US should redirect subsidies away from fossil fuels including coal and invest them in building renewable energy power, both in the US and abroad.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On Foreign Policy: Stronger position on Saudi Arabia; end involvement in Yemen

The United States needs to take a much stronger position with regard to Saudi Arabia. We must stop US involvement in the war in Yemen. We should reject all arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. We should press for an independent criminal investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi including any role that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have played.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On Foreign Policy: Help Venezuela freely choose its own political future

If the US really wants to see a peaceful political transition in Venezuela it needs to help create the conditions for effective dialogue, which means supporting moderate factions on both sides that seek a peaceful transition and supporting existing efforts to promote dialogue. The best policy in Venezuela and most places is to support efforts that allow the country's citizens to decide on their political future (even if it's not exactly the sort of future that the US favors).
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On Foreign Policy: US should be more involved in opportunities in Africa

A growing Africa means opportunities we should not ignore. Angola has a president who is reversing decades of corruption. Algeria and Sudan are seeking peaceful transitions of power, and South Africa is struggling to re-establish economic growth and build opportunity for its people. In each case the United States could have been involved in these positive developments but was not.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On Free Trade: Take strong position on China on human rights & business

China is aggressively engaging in theft, practicing commercial espionage, and ignoring intellectual-property rights as well as trampling on human rights and democracy in their drive to dominate global markets. The US must maintain a strong position regarding China with regard to economics, politics, and human rights. China's treatment of the Uighurs and of Hong Kong reflect their aggressive drive for domination and their disdain for human rights and democracy.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On Free Trade: No TPP without greater protections for workers & environment

Q: Under what circumstances would you support the United States joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

WILLIAMSON: The TPP would need greater protections for workers and the environment for me to support it.

Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On War & Peace: Rejoin Iran nuclear deal and increase diplomacy

I would rejoin the JCPOA [Iran's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. After the deal, Iranian moderates gained popularity and fundamentalists lost power. This deal was intended as a first step toward improving relationships. The Supreme Leader and hardliners opposed the deal. US withdrawal increases their popularity and justifies their mistrust of the US. I would increase diplomacy, decrease tensions, and transform relations to create a context to address human rights and other issues.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On War & Peace: North Korea: Partial sanction relief for some disarming

Sanctions are a form of economic warfare with a high rate of failure. We can achieve superior outcomes with clear-eyed respect and steps towards thawing the ice. This could help improve our relationship with Kim Jong Un and de-escalate threats from North Korea. Action might include partial sanctions relief in exchange for some serious dismantling of their nuclear weapons program, as steps towards de-escalation and improved relations.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

On War & Peace: Protection of women must be part of any Afghanistan deal

My concern has to do with the rights of women, towards whom the Taliban have been known for a history of brutality. When elected, I will talk with the appropriate voices for women in Afghanistan and factor their protection and rights into all plans for withdrawal. The protection of women and women's rights must be part of any agreement.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations on 2020 presidential primary Aug 16, 2019

The above quotations are from Council on Foreign Relations.
Click here for other excerpts from Council on Foreign Relations.
Click here for other excerpts by Marianne Williamson.
Click here for a profile of Marianne Williamson.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Mar 16, 2022