1. What role does your administration believe the United States should play in regards to international conflict?
My administration and I believe the United States should have a substantial role with being involved with foreign affairs but still maintain that boundary when dealing with nations outside of the country. Our main goal in foreign affairs is to keep Americans safe, but at the same time, combat the threats we are facing as a nation. We believe we need to maintain a minimal involvement in foreign affairs in order to keep the peace between our nation and others.Though it is still important to focus on affairs inside our country, we still need to be aware of what is going on around us and what could effect our nation. We want to ultimately be prepared at any time for threats that come in against our country.
2.What methods have been used by the Obama administration to combat ISIS?
To combat ISIS, the Obama administration has been working with the Iraqi government to expand our efforts and to protect our own people as well. Specifically alongside the current Secretary of State John Kerry, Assistant Secretary Anne Patterson is the head of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, which means that she directly deals with foreign policy and diplomatic relations with countries like Iraq and Syria at this time. There is also the Special President Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, John Allen. With the rapid growth of violence coming from this specific group, his job is to maintain peace and international security. In UN Security Council Resolution 2170 it is stated that “ terrorism can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of all States…” which is why one of his first priorities is to encourage everyone to band together to end this foreign offender.President Obama has come up with a four point plan in regards to these current threats. It consists of air strikes, sending support through foreign ground forces, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance.
3.Do you agree or disagree with the methods used by the Obama administration to combat ISIS?
We agree with certain aspects of Obama’s plan with some we do not. We agree with President Obama’s use of airstrikes to combat ISIS. These same efforts have been proven effective in the past against groups like Al Qaeda in Iraq, Yemen and Somalia. Though at this time we do not agree with his plan to send in thousands of more troops to dangerous areas like Iraq. However, if the threat continues to grow we will consider sending troops to combat ISIS. We also agree with his efforts to use counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance. By working with allies, it only makes us stronger and can prevent other foreign fighters from joining ISIS. This will help us contain ISIS’s borders and ultimately weaken them. Providing assistance to Muslims, Christians and any other religious beliefs that ISIS is targeting will save lives as well as keep their influence to a minimum once again.
4.How will your administration eliminate the growing threat of ISIS?
To eliminate the growing threat of ISIS we plan to shut down all of their accounts on social media. If we were to shut down their accounts they would unable to send out their messages that aid in influence others to join their cause. As well as putting a stop to their posts on social media, we are going to continue air strikes that are already in place. These airstrikes are known to be effective and can quickly lessen and eliminate this growing threat.If it is necessary, and once we are more familiar with the territory we can send in ground troops. Though I stress that we will only send in ground troops if it is absolutely necessary. Also we hope to infiltrate and cut off their oil supply which is a key component to their economy. They acquire about 2 million dollars every day which is helping them supply weapons of mass destruction with they use against innocent civilians and to threaten the United States and is helping them expand their borders further. Continuing with the Obama Administration we hope to keep diplomatic and peaceful relations with allies that could help us defeat this radicalist group. While they have directly threatened the United States they have also threatened many other nations. If we all work together we can eliminate the growing threat of ISIS.
5.President Obama has pledged to remove all troops from Afghanistan by December 2016 do you agree or disagree with this plan?
My administration and I agree with this plan for the most part. Troops have been in Afghanistan for way too long and it is time for the War in Afghanistan to come to the end it so desperately needs. But truthfully, we do not know for sure if all troops with definitely be out by December of 2016. Obama’s pledge seems plausible but not certain. I want to be honest when speaking with you all because that is what you deserve as American citizens. Therefore, I can not guarantee that they will be out by this time but we will do everything in our power to make sure it happens as soon as possible. And when we say soon as possible this does not mean that we will take another ten years to bring them out. This just means it may not be exactly the time Obama has pledged. It may be in January of 2017, or February. Or in the near months following. We care most about the safety of our troops so we want to take the time to remove them safely and efficiently. If it is safe to have the troops out by December 2016, then of course we are going to get them out of there. But a rushed withdraw can have many repercussions that could harm our troops and our nation. We have seen in our past what happens after a rushed withdraw. When we took our troops out of Iraq it left them susceptible to being taken over and that is exactly what happened. ISIS influence has taken over their nation and we do not want the same fate to happen to Afghanistan.
6.What does your administration plan to do in regards to the war in Afghanistan?
In regards to the war in Afghanistan my administration and I plan to slowly remove troops over time so that we do try to keep Obama’s word of having the troops removed by December 2016. And then if not by December 2016, we would remove them as soon as possible.We will begin to remove the troops out of Afghanistan in groups at a time when it is safe to do so. Doing this in groups bring gradual and effective change, instead of just completely leaving Afghanistan which could leave them open to being taken over by other aggressors. Once again there are definitely many issues that could come with this plan, but there are also many positives. Obviously the best reason for this plan is that it means all the troops currently stationed in Afghanistan would be back home again. But there can be some negatives when completing this plan like there could be a chance of casualties occurring and Afghanistan becoming weaken without our troops being there. Like said previously we do not want a repeat of what happened in Iraq. But it also means the end of a 14 year war.
7.How do you plan to ensure that Americans are safe both at home and overseas?
We want to take immediate action to any threats given to Americans at home or overseas. ISIS has made many threats to specific military personnel and important government officials and we want to keep all troops safe in this country or wherever they may be stationed. If everyone in our country works together as a nation the possibilities are endless on how we can defend against foreign offenders. President Obama once said, “…Everybody can do something. Every American. Every business. Every profession. Every school. Every community. Every state. All of us, as one American team. That's how we will truly honor our veterans. That's how we will truly say thank you. That's how we will uphold the sacred trust with all who've served in our name.” In order to honor and keep these troops safe as well as every American we want to increase the efforts of Homeland Security in aspects such as investing in strong and effective response and recovery capabilities and defeating terrorism worldwide. Released in May 2010, The National Security Strategy brings a unique and practical approach for advancing various efforts including most importantly the security of American lives, a growing economy and maintaining international order that can face 21st century challenges. We want to continue with this plan which is the most clear way to ensure the safety of our citizens.
8.Why are your plans for American foreign policy better than the plans of your opponents?
Our plans for American foreign policy are better than the plans of our opponents because we’re putting the safety of our troops and citizens first like I said previously. Our administration wants to be realistic with what we do because precious lives are at stake. Do we really want to risk the lives of men and women that have already done so much for our country?
9.Why should Americans trust you to protect them?
Americans should trust me to protect them because i’m putting their safety first. Our citizens will have an impact on every decision made regarding international combat. Our citizens are the most important factor in making our nation strong.
10.How do you plan to improve America’s image around the world?
The United States was once known as a powerhouse of the world and we would like to bring that image back. This is already a great nation but we want to increase the standard of living through protecting those at home and those defending our country overseas at this time. Once the problems overseas are solved we want to turn all of our focus back to our nation to improve it as a whole.