John Edwards 2004 On The Issues

Strengthening America's Role In The World Through Principled Leadership

John Edwards believes we should always maintain our military, economic, and political strength, but that we should use it to promote our values: democracy, freedom, and human rights.

A member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Edwards believes we should lead in a way that brings others to us, not that drives them away, and that American families are safer in a world where America is looked up to and respected, not in a world where America is hated. Edwards’ foreign policy agenda is based on:

Protecting the safety and security of the American people.
Winning the war on terrorism.
Maintaining the world's best military.
Winning the peace.
Forging a global coalition against weapons of mass destruction.
Promoting America's highest values - democracy, freedom and human rights - around the world.
Rebuilding relationships with America's allies and friends.
Working to resolve conflicts.
Revitalizing institutions that make America stronger.

Edwards Foreign Policy Agenda

Protect Safety and Security
Edwards believes that the first responsibility of any government is the safety and security of its citizens. He has a comprehensive strategy for domestic security, with the proper resources to back it up.

Edwards supports a far stronger commitment to eliminate the threat of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, better strategies to win the war on terrorism, and improving America's global standing in the world.

Win the War on Terrorism
Edwards believes that America must do far better in the fight against terrorism, working with our allies to disrupt and shut down terrorist networks and prevent attacks.

This includes not only tracking down terrorists and bringing them to justice, but also working against those who give financial and material support to terrorists and provide them with safe havens.

Create a New Agency to Combat Terror
These efforts require new and creative leadership in diplomacy, law enforcement, intelligence, and military affairs.

As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Edwards has been at the center of the national discussion on how to best reform the intelligence community to meet the needs of the post-September 11th world, including his proposal to shift domestic intelligence responsibilities away from the FBI and into a new Homeland Intelligence Agency.

Maintain the World's Best Military
Edwards believes that we need to maintain a strong commitment to national defense and continue to make sure that America's military men and women and their families are treated with the respect they've earned.

Edwards is committed to maintaining a military with the most advanced training, the most sophisticated technology and adequate resources to accomplish their mission.

Edwards believes that national defense will also be strengthened by the policies we pursue in the world - policies that seek to solve problems before force is necessary and bring allies to our side.

The men and women of America's military are the finest in the world, but we have to do better to help them surmount the special hardships of service.

Win the Peace
Winning wars is not enough; America must also win the peace. Leading the effort to help rebuild societies based on democracy and freedom is a solid investment in America's security; it is also a test of America's leadership. In the Senate, Edwards has proposed a bipartisan plan to improve America's efforts to achieve stability, democracy, and growth in war-torn societies.

Reconstruct Iraq
In Iraq, Edwards supported the war to remove Saddam Hussein from power, and he has been an outspoken proponent of a strong US commitment to help the Iraqi people rebuild their lives and develop rule of law and democracy.

Edwards believes that the United States cannot rebuild Iraq alone, and must bring other countries and institutions into this important effort.

Secure Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, Edwards believes we must expand the size and scope of an international peacekeeping force beyond Kabul.

Edwards was one of the first Senators to visit Afghanistan after the Taliban was forcibly removed from power, meeting with US troops and visiting other nations and leaders in the region.

Stop the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Edwards believes that the U.S. must do far more to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction. America should strengthen its commitment to the Biological Weapons Convention and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, increase support for the dismantling and safeguarding of weapons-grade materials in Russia and the former Soviet states, and work with allies to solve urgent proliferation threats like North Korea.

Promote America's Highest Values
Edwards believes America must launch a far-reaching new effort to support democratic, just and lawful societies. This requires much more support for democratic assistance and requires a new approach to foreign aid.

Support Democracy
Edwards believes that we need to get serious about political reform and human rights in places like Cuba, North Korea, and throughout the Middle East.

We should help give the people of these countries the same opportunities we all seek: to live with dignity and liberty; to live with hope and without fear; to live with opportunity and freedom.

Help Those in Need
Edwards believes that the United States should be a world leader in helping countries overcome hardships like hunger, poverty, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS and other public health concerns. This is especially true on a continent like Africa that has so much potential for growth and democracy.

Rebuild Relationships
To meet all of these goals, America needs strong allies. While the U.S. must maintain its economic and military power, Edwards believes that American leadership is about more than our ability to dominate others. It is about convincing others that our power serves their interests as well as our own.

Work to Resolve Conflicts
Edwards believes that the U.S. must be an active leader to help resolve conflicts, from reducing tensions between India and Pakistan to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Edwards is a strong supporter of Israel, and believes that the U.S. has a vital role in promoting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Make America Stronger
Edwards believes that we have to revitalize institutions like NATO and the United Nations. American leadership will be indispensable to helping these institutions transform. Such reforms are not just good for these institutions - by helping bring others behind our efforts to tackle today's challenges, such reforms are good for America.

Define America's Role
In the tradition of Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, Edwards believes that we must seize this opportunity to define how America uses its power - whether it's defending against threats, promoting prosperity and freedom, or giving help to those who need it. We must strengthen international institutions and alliances to help America meet these challenges.

Source: John Edwards for President 2004 Web Site