Foreign Policy
As Americans, we must return to our proud tradition of engaged, sustained, and competent global leadership.
Born to American parents working in Lima, Peru, Jim Himes spent the first 10 years of his childhood in Latin America. As an American abroad, Jim was raised with an acute awareness of the unique position of the United States in the world - a model of democratic self-government and a global beacon of hope and opportunity.
Today, a series of disastrous foreign policy decisions have eroded that standing in the world and bogged down our military in the wrong war. To get us back on the right track, Jim wants to start bringing our troops home now, put renewed diplomatic pressure on Iran, and invest in winning the war on terror in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition, he will work to restore our global alliances, and he will stand up for Israel, our strongest ally in a critical region.
Ending the War in Iraq
Jim believes that invading Iraq was a grave strategic error and has cost our nation dearly. This war has put an unimaginable burden on our brave troops and their families, but it has also severely damaged our military readiness, eroded our reputation and credibility around the globe, made our country less safe from terrorism, and cost taxpayers in our district alone an astounding $3 billion.
Five years after we invaded Iraq, we now have one card left to play: the timing and terms of the redeployment of our troops. Iraqi leaders have shown for years that they will not make the tough decisions, compromises and agreements necessary for stability as long as they can fall back on our protection. Jim believes that we can no longer afford to enable their indecisiveness.
We should begin bringing our troops home tomorrow, institute a clear timeline for their full redeployment, and complete our withdrawal as fast as logistics, safety, and tactical considerations permit. Once we begin to withdraw troops, we should convene a conference of reconciliation including the Iraqi Sunni, Shia and Kurds as well as Iraq’s neighbors to develop an agreement for peace supported by all the nations of the region.
We’ve been bogged down in the streets and cities of Iraq for five long, painful years, and now the Republicans are asking us to prepare for 100 more. Jim knows that is something we cannot afford.
Defending Israel
Jim recognizes that Israel is our most reliable ally in the Middle East, as well as the sole democracy in the region. Israel’s history, politics, and thriving economy create a special relationship between the U.S. and its people. In Congress, Jim will work to ensure that protecting Israel’s peace and security remains a critical U.S. policy objective.
Jim believes that true security for Israel will be achieved through American leadership and engagement, aimed at a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The entire world has a vital stake in achieving a two-state solution, where Israel is fully recognized by all of its neighbors and the Israeli people live free of the threat of military or terrorist attack.
Standing Up to Iran
Jim believes that we must make clear the choice Iran faces: isolation and condemnation if it continues to develop new missile technologies, enrich uranium and sponsor terrorism; or a welcome into the community of civilized nations if it radically changes course. We must leverage all of our economic, political and diplomatic resources to put pressure on Iran, and we should take no options off the table to thwart its nuclear pursuit.
Jim recognizes the grave threat we face from Iran, but he will take his oversight responsibilities as a Member of Congress seriously as well. By contrast, Chris Shays voted against requiring President Bush to abide by the Constitution and obtain Congressional authorization before taking us into a reckless war with Iran.
Winning the War on Terror
Jim believes that our government’s first obligation is to identify, evaluate and eliminate threats from terrorists, rogue states, and others who would do us harm. Unfortunately, our leaders have jeopardized our national security by taking their eyes off the ball in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 are actively regrouping.
In 2002, Chris Shays declared our campaign in Afghanistan a "tremendous success" and moved on to promoting the war in Iraq. But six years later, military experts confirm that we never finished the job in Afghanistan - and in recent months we have suffered more casualties in Afghanistan than we have in Iraq. In Congress, Jim won’t just talk tough about defending our nation; he will devote our resources to realistically assessing and combating the actual threats we face.
Diplomacy and Global Leadership
Jim believes that after eight years of reckless disregard for our standing in the world, we must return to our proud tradition of engaged, sustained, and competent global leadership.
By nature, the greatest challenges we face - from climate change and genocide to terrorism and nuclear proliferation - require global solutions. Tragically, at this critical juncture, George Bush and Chris Shays have left us with precious little political capital with which to rally the world’s support to these vital causes. The work of rebuilding our soft power and restoring our alliances must begin immediately, and Jim is running for Congress to help lead this charge.
