Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008):
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OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.
- World order in flux but US still dominates. (Jan 2016)
- US should learn lessons from Iraq and Vietnam. (Jan 2016)
- Don't let our fears blind us to opportunity. (Jan 2015)
- Make sure both allies and enemies know where we stand. (Oct 2012)
- Every fact-checker concurs: I didn't apologize to Iran. (Oct 2012)
- Prepare for global pandemics with global partners. (Sep 2012)
- Avoid trap of military overstretch; that destroys countries. (Jun 2012)
- America is the one indispensable nation in world affairs. (Jan 2012)
- Obama's international stances compared to Ron Paul's. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd: Claims "poverty causes terrorism" but they're educated. (Nov 2010)
- No balance of power among nations will hold. (May 2010)
- OpEd: Life story gives him broad appeal beyond USA. (Mar 2010)
- OpEd: American Apology Tour: disliking USA understandable. (Mar 2010)
- I do not accept 2nd place for the USA. (Jan 2010)
- The UN has succeeded in avoiding a Third World War. (Dec 2009)
- Global Poverty Act: spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid. (Aug 2008)
- In Cold War, we won hearts & minds; now do same to world. (Jul 2008)
- Dangers of intertwined world can’t be contained in borders. (Jul 2008)
- OpEd: Policy views based on experience in Kenya & Indonesia. (Jul 2008)
- Important to undo the damage of the last seven years. (Feb 2008)
- Never negotiate out of fear, and never fear to negotiate. (Jan 2008)
- President must abide by international human rights treaties. (Dec 2007)
- Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality. (Dec 2007)
- No Obama Doctrine; just democracy, security, liberty. (Oct 2007)
- $50B annually to strengthen weak states at risk of collapse. (Aug 2007)
- No “strategic ambiguity” on foreign policy issues. (Aug 2007)
- My critics engineered our biggest foreign policy disaster. (Aug 2007)
- Meet with enemy leaders; it’s a disgrace that we have not. (Jul 2007)
- We cannot afford isolationism. (Mar 2007)
- Never has US had so much power & so little influence to lead. (Jul 2004)
- US policy should promote democracy and human rights. (Jul 2004)
Africa
- Double access to electricity in Africa. (Jan 2014)
- Dressed in Africa in traditional garb, not "Muslim attire". (Aug 2008)
- Majored in international affairs based on living abroad. (Jul 2008)
- Moral obligation to intervene in Darfur to avoid spillover. (Jul 2008)
- Wrote 2006 law stabilizing Congo with $52M. (Oct 2007)
- Increased aid to Republic of Congo. (Aug 2007)
- Visited largest slum in Africa, to publicize its plight. (Aug 2007)
- No-fly zone in Darfur; but pay attention more in Africa. (Jun 2007)
- U.S. funds for humanitarian aid to Darfur. (Mar 2007)
- Protested South African apartheid while at college. (Feb 2007)
- Focus on corruption to improve African development. (Oct 2006)
- Visited Africa in 2006; encouraged HIV testing & research. (Oct 2006)
Americas
- The Cold War is over; lift 50-year embargo on Cuba. (Jan 2016)
- Cuba: When something doesn't work for 50 years, change it. (Jan 2015)
- Focus on BRICs: Brazil, Russia, India, China, & South Africa. (Jun 2012)
- Haiti earthquake: Americans unite in times of trouble. (Feb 2010)
- Cuba should reduce surcharge on remittances from US. (Apr 2009)
- OpEd: Maintaining Guantanamo base violates international law. (Jan 2009)
- Maintain Cuban embargo, but allow Americans to send money. (May 2008)
- Meet with Cuban leaders only with agenda of US interests. (Feb 2008)
- Cuba: Loosen restrictions now; normalization later. (Feb 2008)
- Willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il & Hugo Chavez. (Nov 2007)
- Invest in our relationship with Mexico. (Sep 2007)
Asia
- 2009: Chose Japan PM as first visitor to emphasize alliance. (Jun 2014)
- Support stable transition to democracy in Burma & elsewhere. (Feb 2013)
- Pivot to East Asia; America is a Pacific power. (Oct 2012)
- We pushed China hard to raise currency exchange by 11%. (Oct 2012)
- OpEd: North Korean behavior under Bush same as under Obama. (Aug 2011)
- 2007: Pledged to meet with leaders of Iran & North Korea. (Aug 2009)
- 2007: Raids into Pakistan to kill high-value terrorists. (Aug 2009)
- We must be tough with Pakistan & stop coddling Musharraf. (Sep 2008)
- Must be tough on Iran, but talk to them too. (Sep 2008)
- Learned privilege of being American by living in Indonesia. (Jul 2008)
- China is a competitor but not an enemy. (Dec 2007)
- U.S. needs to ameliorate trade relations with China. (Mar 2007)
Europe
- Russia is in tatters because of our steady resolve. (Jan 2015)
- Deal with Russia: no new missile defense in Eastern Europe. (Dec 2011)
- We’ve been reactive for 8 years; be proactive with Russia. (Oct 2008)
- Recent Russian actions in Georgia are unacceptable. (Sep 2008)
- In Berlin: proud citizen of US; fellow citizen of the world. (Jul 2008)
- Cooperation among nations is not a choice; it’s the only way. (Jul 2008)
- Chairs European subcommittee; could hold Afghanistan hearing. (Jul 2008)
- Engage Russia regarding nuclear proliferation. (Jul 2008)
- Strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats. (Aug 2007)
Mideast
- Negotiations with Iran don't rely on trust. (Jan 2014)
- Libyans marching FOR America means we've been successful. (Oct 2012)
- I stand by "time for Mubarak to go" in Egyptian Revolution. (Oct 2012)
- Partner with Arab Spring countries to work toward democracy. (Sep 2012)
- Engage with Iran; but combat Al Qaeda in Pakistan. (Jun 2012)
- $1.8B per year for mega-embassy in Iraq; same in Afghanistan. (Jun 2010)
- Hamas election void until they renounce violence. (Jun 2010)
- Iran is more isolated and will face growing consequences. (Jan 2010)
- Fundamental commitment to strong US-Israel relationship. (Jan 2009)
- Kissinger agrees with me on meeting with enemy leaders. (Sep 2008)
- FactCheck: Kissinger opposes presidential meetings with Iran. (Sep 2008)
- My record on Israel is same as McCain’s. (Jul 2008)
- Appropriate for Israel to take out Syrian nuclear reactor. (Jul 2008)
- Jerusalem should be capital of Israel, pending final status. (Jul 2008)
- Jerusalem as joint Palestinian-Israeli capital is ok. (Jul 2008)
- Palestinian people suffer-but from not recognizing Israel. (Apr 2007)
- FactCheck: Palestinian suffering from stalled peace effort. (Apr 2007)
- Supports Israel’s self-defense; but distrusted by Israelis. (Oct 2006)
Resolutions
- At college, protested for divestment from South Africa. (Aug 2007)
- Voted YES on cooperating with India as a nuclear power. (Oct 2008)
- Sponsored aid bill to avert humanitarian crisis in Congo. (Dec 2005)
- Implement Darfur Peace Agreement with UN peacekeeping force. (Feb 2008)
- Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations. (May 2007)
- Let Ukraine & Georgia enter NATO. (Jan 2008)
- Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet. (Apr 2008)
- Sanction Mugabe until Zimbabwe transitions to democracy. (Apr 2008)
- Afghan law tolerating marital rape is abhorrent. (Apr 2009)
- Pressure friendly Arab states to end Israeli boycott. (Oct 2007)
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Written by
Daniel Biss on Foreign Policy
Jeanne Ives on Foreign Policy
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