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ENLARGE
The next administration will have to deal with several foreign policy challenges. The main ones being the al-Qaida threat, Iran, China, Russia, the Balkans and Eurasia. Some other issues might also impact Summit County residents via higher gas prices, types of products purchases, illegal immigration, and potential combat local military personnel. These issues include:
• Central America’s Economic Woes
The poor state of Mexico and Central America’s economies is a key reason why illegal immigration is problematic for the U.S. There are more financial opportunities in America than in those areas; it’s the main catalyst for Washington’s illegal immigration woes. The next administration must provide incentives for Latin American nation and Mexico to reform their monetary systems.
• China-Japan relations
Both countries are historical and regional adversaries. Tokyo and Beijing have long-standing strategic issues directly impacting the United States. The prime sources of friction are Taiwan and the East China Sea. The region has an abundance of undeveloped oil and natural gas resources. A diplomatic or military escalation over either issue could drag the United States into a regional quagmire. This is especially true since Washington has strong foreign policy ties with Tokyo and Beijing. An Obama or McCain administration must mediate any strategic dispute between China and Japan.
And finally,
• Africa
The Continent is a source of complex regional wars, poverty, climatic change issues, and some of the world’s most hideous diseases, such as Ebola. Africa’s troubles can no longer be avoided. The Continent’s dilemmas can now acutely impact the global community. A key to addressing these problems is ensuring the proper distribution of U.S. foreign aid to recipients — not some dictator’s pockets, as has inadvertently occurred. The next president must address the issue.
An Obama or McCain administration must attend to these and the other issues my columns have examined. He should resolve America’s economic, social, and ethical woes first.
My endorsement for the White House.
I support Barack Obama for President.
McCain and Obama both possess the style, characteristics, and capability necessary to restore America’s credibility and international image. The country will benefit regardless of who is elected. There is only one candidate who can achieve the aforementioned challenges — without jeopardizing its national security interests.
The country needs a foreign policy that is based first, on strong diplomatic and economic incentives; and second, pursues punitive measures when accountability is necessary. The next the president must avoid the mistakes of President Clinton and the second Bush Administration. He must also employ their success. The Clinton Administration’s principle error was failing to hold countries accountable for broken promises. The Chinese and North Korean leaderships promised to stem their arms proliferation and nuclear weapons activities; neither country’s matched their words with actions. The Clinton Administration overlooked these issues — and damaged U.S. credibility. The second Bush Administration’s mistake was a staunch unilateral approach towards the Iraq war. It damaged America’s ability to influence international affairs. Both administrations successes occurred when Clinton and Bush worked with the international community to achieve their foreign policy objectives. The Clinton Administration worked with NATO to expel the Serbs from Bosnia. It brought a long-lasting peace to the Balkans via the Dayton Accords. The second Bush Administration worked with the European Union to establish an Independent Kosovo nation in the same region. It also employed multilateral diplomacy with China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia to stem North Korea’s nuclear program.
I’m a Barry Goldwater Republican. This means I support the GOP’s foreign policy positions; it also means that I will vote for the best candidate regardless of party. I interviewed the late senator and 1964 presidential candidate. I had the honor while pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Fort Lewis College. Goldwater provided a powerful personal, professional, and political example. I believe an Obama Administration can adopt the successful lessons of the Clinton and second Bush administrations, while avoiding their mistakes. The next couple of years will be among the most challenging in American history. Barak Obama is the best candidate to address the hardships that lie ahead in my opinion.
Matthew Kennedy is a Breckenridge resident who recently received a master's degree from the Diplomatic Academy of London. He has lived in Asia, Europe, and Russia. Comments or questions can be directed to intl.affairs@yahoo.com. This will be Kennedy’s last column for the Daily.
• Central America’s Economic Woes
The poor state of Mexico and Central America’s economies is a key reason why illegal immigration is problematic for the U.S. There are more financial opportunities in America than in those areas; it’s the main catalyst for Washington’s illegal immigration woes. The next administration must provide incentives for Latin American nation and Mexico to reform their monetary systems.
• China-Japan relations
Both countries are historical and regional adversaries. Tokyo and Beijing have long-standing strategic issues directly impacting the United States. The prime sources of friction are Taiwan and the East China Sea. The region has an abundance of undeveloped oil and natural gas resources. A diplomatic or military escalation over either issue could drag the United States into a regional quagmire. This is especially true since Washington has strong foreign policy ties with Tokyo and Beijing. An Obama or McCain administration must mediate any strategic dispute between China and Japan.
And finally,
• Africa
The Continent is a source of complex regional wars, poverty, climatic change issues, and some of the world’s most hideous diseases, such as Ebola. Africa’s troubles can no longer be avoided. The Continent’s dilemmas can now acutely impact the global community. A key to addressing these problems is ensuring the proper distribution of U.S. foreign aid to recipients — not some dictator’s pockets, as has inadvertently occurred. The next president must address the issue.
An Obama or McCain administration must attend to these and the other issues my columns have examined. He should resolve America’s economic, social, and ethical woes first.
My endorsement for the White House.
I support Barack Obama for President.
McCain and Obama both possess the style, characteristics, and capability necessary to restore America’s credibility and international image. The country will benefit regardless of who is elected. There is only one candidate who can achieve the aforementioned challenges — without jeopardizing its national security interests.
The country needs a foreign policy that is based first, on strong diplomatic and economic incentives; and second, pursues punitive measures when accountability is necessary. The next the president must avoid the mistakes of President Clinton and the second Bush Administration. He must also employ their success. The Clinton Administration’s principle error was failing to hold countries accountable for broken promises. The Chinese and North Korean leaderships promised to stem their arms proliferation and nuclear weapons activities; neither country’s matched their words with actions. The Clinton Administration overlooked these issues — and damaged U.S. credibility. The second Bush Administration’s mistake was a staunch unilateral approach towards the Iraq war. It damaged America’s ability to influence international affairs. Both administrations successes occurred when Clinton and Bush worked with the international community to achieve their foreign policy objectives. The Clinton Administration worked with NATO to expel the Serbs from Bosnia. It brought a long-lasting peace to the Balkans via the Dayton Accords. The second Bush Administration worked with the European Union to establish an Independent Kosovo nation in the same region. It also employed multilateral diplomacy with China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia to stem North Korea’s nuclear program.
I’m a Barry Goldwater Republican. This means I support the GOP’s foreign policy positions; it also means that I will vote for the best candidate regardless of party. I interviewed the late senator and 1964 presidential candidate. I had the honor while pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Fort Lewis College. Goldwater provided a powerful personal, professional, and political example. I believe an Obama Administration can adopt the successful lessons of the Clinton and second Bush administrations, while avoiding their mistakes. The next couple of years will be among the most challenging in American history. Barak Obama is the best candidate to address the hardships that lie ahead in my opinion.
Matthew Kennedy is a Breckenridge resident who recently received a master's degree from the Diplomatic Academy of London. He has lived in Asia, Europe, and Russia. Comments or questions can be directed to intl.affairs@yahoo.com. This will be Kennedy’s last column for the Daily.
