oreign policy, the area where a president has the strongest and most unchecked hand to implement an agenda, hasn't yet come up in this Democratic presidential campaign in a substantive way. In Miami, Detroit, and Houston, the loaded questions, often lobbed toward the end of the congested debate nights, hardly offered enough time to unpack the candidates' policies. Tonight's affair in Columbus, Ohio, probably won't break the trend.
Because President Donald Trump has put so many international alliances and accords in jeopardy, it is incumbent on the Democratic field to explain to the American people the importance of restoring partnerships and rebuilding relationships with allies. Under Trump, the foundations have been rattled, including the very idea that foreign policy is conducted in consultation with country experts and diplomats on the ground. With American power so deeply undermined, there is a temptation to simply advocate for a return to what Democratic foreign policy was before 2016. But given the emergencies facing the country and the planet, there is opportunity for something bolder.
Read Full Article »