Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to continue President Joe Biden’s foreign policy if she succeeds him, particularly focusing on arming Ukraine and bolstering U.S. alliances to counter Russia and China. However, when it comes to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the war in Gaza, Harris seems more willing to publicly criticize him and express empathy for the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. While Harris has strong ties to Israel with her husband being Jewish, she is also likely to bring a more balanced rhetorical posture on the issue of Palestinian statehood and rights than Biden.
Analysis of Harris’ foreign policy stance suggests that while there may be a change in tone regarding Israel, there may not be a significant shift in policy. Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, believes that Harris will maintain a moderate approach, being sympathetic to Palestinian rights while advocating for America’s traditional support of Israel. Even in the face of attacks on Israel, Harris has emphasized the U.S.’ “ironclad” support for Israel’s security, indicating a continuation of the country’s strong relationship with Israel.
In addition to her stance on Israel, Harris’ views on Cuba are closer to those of President Barack Obama than of Biden. She has expressed the belief that the U.S. should end the “failed trade embargo” on Cuba and take a smarter approach to empower Cuban civil society and the Cuban American community. Harris has also worked to improve her knowledge of foreign policy, meeting with over 150 foreign leaders as vice president and pledging U.S. military and economic support for allies to counter global threats.
As a potential commander in chief, Harris would signal continuity with America’s traditional post-World War II approach to the world. She has vowed to support Ukraine in its war against Russia’s invading forces and has criticized former President Trump’s isolationism and reluctance to help Ukraine. Harris’ national security adviser, Philip Gordon, is a veteran foreign policy adviser whose views align with moderate, left-of-center foreign policy experts. Gordon has criticized Trump’s impulsive foreign policy decisions and raised concerns about the risk of unintended war with Iran.
On the campaign trail, Harris is likely to make foreign policy arguments similar to Biden’s, criticizing Trump’s handling of international relations and highlighting the importance of U.S. alliances. Harris’ election as president would reassure America’s traditional allies in NATO and the Indo-Pacific region, as her policies are believed to be in line with those of past Democratic administrations. Ultimately, if Harris succeeds President Biden, it is expected that her foreign policy approach will be a continuation of his, focusing on supporting allies, countering threats from Russia and China, and maintaining America’s role as a global superpower.
