If Kamala Harris ascends to the presidency in the coming months, her foremost challenge as commander-in-chief will likely be managing escalating threats from several adversaries abroad. These nations have not only expressed their hostility towards the West but are also collaborating against U.S. interests.
In her Democratic National Convention acceptance speech, Harris tackled a highly contentious issue: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She affirmed her unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense and pledged to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while working to end the war and secure the release of hostages. Harris also emphasized the need for the Palestinian people to achieve dignity, security, and self-determination.
Harris’s Speech on Russia and Ukraine Avoids Key Administration Failures and Future Responses
While Harris condemned Iran and its affiliates as key players behind attacks on both Israel and the U.S., she did not address Iran’s imminent nuclear ambitions, a critical concern that President Biden has vowed to counteract. Intelligence reports suggest that Iran is nearing the capability to become a nuclear power before Biden’s term concludes.
Harris also touched on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, where the U.S. has provided defensive aid but refrained from direct military involvement, including a no-fly zone. She claimed credit for mobilizing international support against Russia’s aggression. However, her speech omitted the administration’s failure to prevent or adequately respond to Russia’s initial invasion, continuing a pattern from the Obama-Biden era.
Looking ahead, the greatest challenge could be China, under Xi Jinping, who is observing U.S. responses to global conflicts as he plans his own moves against Taiwan. Harris’s vague comments about China, focusing on space and AI leadership, did not address Taiwan directly. Xi might interpret U.S. hesitancy on Ukraine as a signal that a Harris administration might tolerate a Chinese incursion into Taiwan.
On North Korea, Harris criticized her opponent for his leniency towards autocrats like Kim Jong-un. This criticism highlights the stark choice facing voters: a potentially weak Harris administration or a Trump administration perceived as isolationist and authoritarian.
As Nikki Haley suggested during her campaign, the need for a strong, credible conservative leader remains urgent to address these national security challenges effectively.
