Security

Peace through strength and common sense.

We must continue to honor our commitments to our allies when aggressively searching for diplomatic breakthroughs to end the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Yemen. Continued military aid to Ukraine strengthens American security and European security. Our diplomatic efforts to build an alliance with Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the US should be accompanied by restarting the Iranian Nuclear Agreement. Regarding Israel, there is no military solution to a political problem. We must demand an immediate ceasefire, and enforcement of the Leahy Act which bars aid to countries which violate human rights. I have done human rights work in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza in 1989 as well as in 2013, and I have always argued for a two-state solution. 

Our policy of implementing regime change has generally created less security and has contributed to the rise of ISIS. We must honor our commitments to our allies, and seek to strengthen international law. ISIS must be destroyed - yet we must understand that this is essentially a battle for the soul of Islam and we must broaden our work with our Muslim and Arab allies.

We must aim to lead the global efforts to confront climate change.  I agree with the Pentagon Report in 2002 that climate change is a more significant threat to our national security than terrorism.

The Pentagon

The ongoing challenges of Pentagon fraud and abuse have been systematic since President Eisenhower warned us in his Farewell Address. We need to finally, and thoroughly, audit Pentagon spending. Savings could be reallocated to increase veteran’s benefits, and strengthening NATO, cybersecurity, and the UN.