🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE 🚨

• Tomorrow marks the first of the 2024 Presidential Debates between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.  
• You can stream it on CNN.com!

Why it Matters:

• It’s election season in the United States.  Your voice matters and you should be informed.

• Foreign policy has historically been a low priority for American voters.

• Americans often prioritize domestic issues such as the economy, healthcare, and education.

• This debate could be different. With everything happening internationally right now, foreign policy might get some of the spotlight.

My Goal:

• Inform young students about the key foreign policy issues to watch for in the upcoming debate.

• Empower the next generation of voters to engage with and understand the global implications of the discussed policies.

The Breakdown:

1) The War in Ukraine and U.S. Involvement 

• It’s been more than 2 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
• ​​The situation remains volatile, with no clear resolution in sight. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have faced substantial losses, and the conflict has led to widespread devastation.
• Ukraine demonstrated strong resilience and strategic successes, particularly in its counteroffensive operations at the beginning of the war. However, such success has slowed and Russia shows no sign of quitting. Ukraine faces a prolonged war that will require long-term support from allies.
• The U.S. has been a major supporter of Ukraine. Congress has passed five bills appropriating around $175 billion to support military and humanitarian aid, including advanced weaponry, financial support, and diplomatic backing.

The Bottom Line: There is growing debate in the U.S. about whether continued involvement and aid to Ukraine is in the national interest. Some argue that the support has not significantly altered the course of the conflict, while others believe it has prevented further Russian advances.

2. The Middle East and Regional Power Dynamics

• The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to be a focal point of Middle Eastern tensions. The October 7th Hamas attacks, which killed around 1,139 people, have escalated tensions, drawing increased international attention
• Key players include Israel, Palestine (specifically Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank), the United States, and regional actors like Iran, Turkey Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
• The conflict affects regional power dynamics, with countries like Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia playing significant roles. Iran’s support for Palestinian groups contrasts with Israel’s growing ties with Gulf states under the Abraham Accords. Turkey positions itself as a defender of Palestinian rights, seeking influence in the Muslim world.

The Bottom Line: The U.S. has a long history of involvement in the Middle East, marked by ongoing conflicts and tensions, particularly with the War on Terrorism. The recent chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has further complicated the situation. Now, with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, questions arise about the extent of U.S. involvement and the nature of its support for its long-time ally, Israel.

3) U.S. – China Relations 

• U.S. – China relations are as complicated as ever with tensions on the rise amid the chip war, the conflict over Taiwan, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
  • Chip war: The U.S. is imposing export controls on advanced semiconductor technologies to China, aiming to limit China’s technological and military advancements.
  • Taiwan conflict: China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has ramped up military activities around the island. The U.S. supports Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities through arms sales and diplomatic support.
  • South China Sea: China claims large swaths of the South China Sea, building military installations on artificial islands. The U.S. conducts freedom of navigation operations to challenge these claims and support international maritime law.
• Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia are pivotal U.S. allies in the region, balancing their economic ties with China and security dependence on the U.S.

The Bottom Line: The U.S. and China have a complicated relationship, like frenemies in a high-stakes game. Recently, the tension has been rising, especially during the trade war, which showed just how much the U.S. relies on China. America is juggling multiple challenges: countering China’s rise, protecting its own economy, keeping peace in the region, and sticking to global rules—all without starting a new Cold War.

Key Questions to Come Away With:

1. Should the U.S. continue sending aid to Ukraine and its involvement in the war and is this in the nation’s best interest?
2. Given the U.S.’s long history of involvement in the Middle East, marked by ongoing conflicts and the recent chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, how should the U.S. approach its involvement and support for its long-time ally, Israel, amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict?
3. How should the U.S. navigate its complex relationship with China in the future to balance economic interests, regional stability, and international norms without sparking further conflict

I hope this article gave you some insight into some of the key foreign policy issues to look out for in the 2024 Presidential debate! Remember to watch it tomorrow, June 27, at 9 p.m. ET or 6 p.m. PT!