The Peril of Mixing Domestic and Foreign Policy: A Threat to U.S. National Security

From left, Reps. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and Michael McCaul, R-Texas, after a meeting at the White House about funding for Ukraine on Wednesday. Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Image

Call to Action for my U.S. subscribers: Please call your Congress representatives and tell them to pass the weapons and aid package to Ukraine and to stop endangering U.S. national security by using domestic weaknesses for political purposes…

In recent months, we have witnessed a concerning trend that should give every American pause for thought. The Republican party's blending of domestic policies with foreign policy decisions poses a significant risk to our national security and global stability. While it is essential to address both issues independently, intertwining them can have dire consequences that stretch far beyond our borders.

The delay by the Republican party in providing aid and weapons to Ukraine, since October, is an alarming issue that demands our immediate attention. Ukraine's dwindling arsenal and the impending security crisis are matters of grave concern. As we deliberate on providing the necessary support, Russia keenly observes the situation in Washington and has been increasing attacks against Ukrainian civilians while celebrating our internal divisions that are resulting in foreign policy failures.

Ukraine's ability to defend itself is not only vital for its sovereignty but also for the security of Europe and the United States. Failure to supply the essential weapons and assistance will have catastrophic consequences, leaving Ukraine vulnerable and endangering European stability. We must prioritize Ukraine's security and equip them to counter and defeat Russia’s aggressions.

Moreover, the abandonment of Ukraine by certain factions within the Republican party is causing increasing worries among our NATO allies. Such actions signal a weakening of our commitments to our allies, emboldening aggressors like Russia, Iran, and China. The strength of the international order hinges on robust alliances, and any erosion of trust with our partners can have enduring repercussions. Meanwhile, dictatorships around the world are seizing this opportunity to weaken the United States and its allies and disrupt global security and stability.

Equally distressing is the Republican stalling of the weapons and aid package is assisting in Russia’s genocide. Our foreign policy must consistently prioritize our values, including the protection of human rights and the prevention of atrocities. Failing to do so sends a detrimental message to the world and undermines our moral authority.

The intertwining of domestic issues with U.S. foreign policy decisions, such as the stalling of aid to Ukraine, also sends signals to other global players, notably China concerning Taiwan. This precarious situation extends to the Asia-Pacific region, raising concerns about the potential danger to Taiwan. Any wavering in our commitment to our allies can embolden aggressive actions against Taiwan, threatening regional stability and U.S. interests in the process. It's also crucial to recognize that recent developments in the Middle East are not mere coincidence. Russia's allies in the region perceive this as a prime opportunity to foster divisions within the United States and attack American interests in the region. Therefore, maintaining a clear and principled approach to both domestic and foreign policy is of utmost importance to safeguard our national security and international standing.

Moreover, the entanglement of foreign policy and border security is exposing our vulnerabilities Adversaries view this as an opportunity to sow chaos within the United States, destabilizing our domestic landscape and carrying out their intelligence operations, including those potentially along the U.S. border.

Meanwhile, Trump's pressure on Republicans to terminate all aid to Ukraine and reject bills for border security while simultaneously sounding misleading claims about “terrorists pouring into the United States” is a deeply concerning confluence of events. Trump recently said "There's a 100 percent chance that there will be a major terrorist attack in the United States. Or many attacks maybe." Such statements send a dangerous signal to our adversaries. The rhetoric around security threats and the withholding of crucial support will encourage hostile state actors to consider carrying out terrorist attacks within the United States and this should be monitored very carefully.

Dictators and authoritarian regimes worldwide eagerly watch for signs of division or vulnerability within the United States and use these opportunities to undermine our democracy, disrupt our elections, and weaken our global position. This poses not only a threat to our national security but also risks the widening of global instability. The world looks to the United States for leadership and stability, and we must not jeopardize our standing in the international community.

Congress must get its act together and stop intertwining domestic and foreign policies!