SOTU Analysis: Affirming a strong U.S. foreign policy
In this series of blog posts, Senator Coons’ legislative staff shares their analysis of the President’s State of the Union address with Delawareans.
In his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out clear foreign policy goals to promote security, stability, and democracy. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Coons shares these goals and is working to protect America’s interests abroad and defend against global security threats.
Chris shares the President’s view that a strong foreign policy rooted in American values must aim to promote democracy and freedom, protect human rights, defend U.S. interests abroad, and increase U.S. investment and trade globally.
Regarding security, President Obama noted that “different al Qaeda affiliates and extremist groups have emerged – from the Arabian Peninsula to Africa. The threat these groups pose is evolving. But to meet this threat, we don’t need to send tens of thousands of our sons and daughters abroad, or occupy other nations. Instead, we will need to help countries like Yemen, Libya, and Somalia provide for their own security, and help allies who take the fight to terrorists, as we have in Mali. And, where necessary, through a range of capabilities, we will continue to take direct action against those terrorists who pose the gravest threat to Americans.”
As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations African Affairs Subcommittee, Chris has worked to highlight these evolving security threats, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Regarding Mali in particular, he has called for a strong and comprehensive U.S. policy to address the al Qaeda takeover of Northern Mali, which has become the largest territory controlled by extremists in the world. He has also welcomed the strong multilateral, international response to the situation in Mali at the United Nations while offering continued U.S. support for ongoing French-led military operations aimed to deprive al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb of a safe haven in Northern Mali.
Regarding democracy, the President said that “in defense of freedom, we’ll remain the anchor of strong alliances from the Americas to Africa; from Europe to Asia. In the Middle East, we will stand with citizens as they demand their universal rights, and support stable transitions to democracy. We know the process will be messy, and we cannot presume to dictate the course of change in countries like Egypt, but we can -- and will -- insist on respect for the fundamental rights of all people. We’ll keep the pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered its own people, and support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every Syrian. And we will stand steadfast with Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace.”
Chris is one of the strongest voices in the Senate advocating for democratic reform and good governance, especially in Africa. He has chaired hearings on this critical subject with specific attention to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has also voiced his pressing concern about ongoing violence and violations of human rights in Syria, where he has urged the U.S. to take a stronger role in providing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, refugees, and responsible leaders of the Syrian opposition. He also recently gave a speech on the Senate floor demonstrating his strong support for the Syrian people, urging the Obama administration to consider military options aimed at degrading Assad’s air force.
Regarding Israel, Chris has been a steadfast supporter of the ironclad relationship between the United States and Israel and has urged international leaders to support a mutually agreed-upon and negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as opposed to unilateral Palestinian action at the United Nations.