And while the Republican presidential nominee argued against nation-building in a foreign policy speech Monday, he advocated for something even more grandiose: seizing Iraq’s oil wealth in the aftermath of the USA invasion in 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein.
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His speech, billed for days as a major and detailed address on Trump’s plans to combat “radical Islamic terrorism”, opened with an exhaustive account of the various deadly attacks that have occurred in recent years: the 2009 shooting at the Fort Hood military base; the 2013 Boston marathon bombings; the 2015 attack on military centers in Chattanooga, Tennessee; the 2015 San Bernardino shooting; and July’s massacre inside a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
So this was Trump’s chance to get the media talking about something other than his amateurish fight to win the White House and perhaps come across as an even-keeled future leader, rather than an insult comic.
Emphasis mine. Trump went on to speak against nation-building, in favor of crushing one’s enemies and seizing their assets, and in favor of prioritizing the fight against Islamist terror. Libya was stable. Syria was under control. Then he said that Muslim politicians and athletes headed to the United States for sports competitions would also be exempt, though he did not specify what level of officials or athletes. Iraq was moving away from violence.
After relating to the large number of terror attacks implemented by people of Middle Eastern and Muslim origin, Republican Candidate Donald Trump argued that the best way to screen out ISIS from reaching America is to arrange a questionnaire for immigrants in order to find out what they think about freedom of religion, gender equality and LGBT rights.
“The rise of ISIS is the direct result of policy decisions made by President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton”, Trump said.
Trump’s nod to abandoning “nation building” and criticizing the Iraq War could nearly be seen as an olive branch to the anti-war left and Libertarians, whose largest objections to a Hillary Clinton presidency is their belief that she would continue a “war hawk” approach to foreign policy that would continue to keep American troops overseas and in danger, as well as pour money into destabilizing and often unwinnable military endeavors.
“The era of nation-building will be ended”, he said.
During an MSNBC town hall event in Wisconsin, Trump said he was getting calls from friends of his – “They’re very rich Muslims” – who he said told him that the proposed ban was “a great thing”. Trump also listed North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as an ally, perhaps doing some damage control regarding the criticism he received when he said North Atlantic Treaty Organisation states will have to pay more for their defense if they want the US’s help.
While Trump appeared to claim credit for prodding North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to focus more on the threat of terrorism, the 28-nation alliance has been grappling with the issue for more than a decade.
The United States can find common ground with Russian Federation in the effort, Trump said, citing the country’s intervention in Syria.
Trump did not give any examples of questions that would be asked, but said he wants to “only admit into this country those who share our values and respect our people”.
“Military, cyber and financial warfare will all be essential in dismantling Islamic terrorism but we must use ideological warfare as well”, Trump stressed.
Trump says he would have used money from the sale of Iraqi oil to pay for the care of wounded soldiers and the families of those Americans killed in the war.
Mr. Biden said that on a trip to Kosovo and Serbia this week, he would be compelled to “reassure” allies that the United States would honor its commitment to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, given Mr. Trump’s comments saying he would reassess the arrangement if elected.
“Our country has enough problems”.
Trump spelled out the enormous distinction between his policy toward radical Islam and what Obama and Clinton have offered.
Additional speeches with more details are expected in coming weeks, they said. He also noted Daesh’s recruitment of refugees to commit attacks.
“We will have to temporarily suspend immigration from some of the most unsafe and volatile regions of the world that have a history of exporting terrorism”.
Here are more factchecks of the speech at the AP and POLITICO.
6 Common sense national security, political correctness, and a softer Trump?
A new Gallup survey released yesterday showed 48 percent of Americans say they approve of Obama’s handling of foreign affairs.
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A national commission would also be created to pressure progressive American Muslims to root out extremists in their communities and teach the public about the signs of extremism, Trump said.
