Staff Reports
The GOP presidential primary debate on Wednesday night was filled with shouting and interruptions, making it difficult to hear the candidates’ positions on foreign policy and national security. One topic that sparked a philosophical divide within the party was the Russia-Ukraine war. Congressional Republicans are currently debating the future of U.S. funding for Ukraine, with some candidates arguing that the focus should be on equipping Kyiv to defeat Russia, while others believe the U.S. should use its leverage to end the war.
One candidate who took a strong stance on both the Russia-Ukraine war and the U.S. relationship with China was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. She advocated for a tough economic stance on China and proposed sending special operations forces into Mexico to target drug cartels. However, she was not alone in her opinions. Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner in the polls, declined to participate in the debate, but many of his rivals shared his view that the conflict in Ukraine is more important to Europe than to the U.S.
Candidates like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy argued that the best course of action for the U.S. is to help end the fighting in Ukraine as soon as possible. They emphasized the need for Europe to take more responsibility in the region. On the other hand, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott believed that funding the Ukrainian side is necessary to degrade the Russian military and keep American troops at home.
GOP hopefuls clash over U.S. troops to Mexico, China rivalry, ending the Ukraine warhttps://t.co/59AmlpXeTF pic.twitter.com/9sDBgChD3g
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 29, 2023
While the debate focused on the Russia-Ukraine war, the discussion eventually turned to China, which many candidates viewed as a growing threat. Former Vice President Mike Pence warned that any American wavering on Ukraine could have disastrous consequences and embolden China to take Taiwan. Other candidates, like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, argued that the Chinese-Russian alliance poses a significant threat and needs to be fought against. Burgum even went so far as to declare that the U.S. is in a “Cold War” with China, despite the Biden administration’s reluctance to admit it.
Overall, the GOP debate highlighted the party’s divisions on foreign policy and national security, particularly when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war and the U.S.-China relationship. The candidates presented a range of positions, from advocating for a tough American stance on China to calling for an end to the war in Ukraine. As the primary season progresses, these issues are likely to continue shaping the discourse within the Republican Party.
