On foreign policy at the DNC

Plus, the thinkers shaping Kamala Harris’s worldview. AUGUST 27, 2024  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](  |  [SUBSCRIBE](     Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 9, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech on the last night of the Democratic National Convention was unusually focused on foreign-policy issues. Attempting to make the case for her national security bona fides, Harris said, “I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.” She also talked about besting China in “the competition for the 21st century,” the need for peace in the Middle East, and the importance of standing up to “tyrants” such as Vladimir Putin. But how will these lofty moments of political rhetoric translate into policy? Foreign Policy’s editor in chief Ravi Agrawal spoke on Friday to State Department alum Anne-Marie Slaughter and Matt Duss, a former advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders, about their [takeaways from the speech](. On the Israel-Hamas war and what position Harris was telegraphing, the guests expressed dissenting views. Duss said he was disappointed with the lack of “specific or forward-leaning” remarks from Harris on the issue, while Slaughter saw the vice president’s remarks as setting a tone of unity: “People are not going to want to divide the party in a way that would prevent her from continuing the desire for a cease-fire and a permanent settlement.” For more on how Harris might be thinking about the Middle East and elsewhere, we asked FP columnist Michael Hirsh for a close reading of [two recent books from Harris advisors]( Rebecca Lissner and Philip Gordon. Together, Hirsh found, their writings “have sketched the outlines of a new worldview in which Washington frankly acknowledges its past excesses and dramatically lowers its ambitions.” In another piece on Harris’s emerging foreign policy, Hirsh [argues]( that the vice president “represents the next generation of national security experts steeped in newer, high-tech threats that the Cold War generation represented by Biden is less familiar with.” In her speech on Thursday, Harris did mention the importance of leading the world in the fields of space and artificial intelligence; while not widely known, Harris’s [experience on AI is substantial](, writes Bhaskar Chakravorti of Tufts University’s Fletcher School. Finally, don’t miss our feature on the 11 men—and yes, they are all men, per our sources—[shaping former President Donald Trump’s potential second-term agenda]( on foreign policy. From Elbridge Colby, “the loudest and perhaps most cogent voice in Washington advocating a complete shift away from Europe, NATO, and Russia” to Robert Lighthizer, the progenitor of Trump’s famous trade tariffs, this guide serves to add some texture to what is a common parlor game in Washington these days. After all, nobody can actually claim to know exactly what Trump will do.—Amelia Lester, deputy editor   New and Noteworthy - Critical Minerals: China has moved to restrict exports of antimony, a vital metal in the defense industry. Though Washington officials recognize [what’s at stake for national security and technology](, both of which rely on critical minerals, “nothing will happen overnight—and until then, Washington will likely remain vulnerable to Beijing’s threats in certain mineral supply chains,” FP’s Christina Lu writes. - Britain’s New Leader: “It is less than two months after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won his decisive election victory on July 4, but the subsequent manner and style of governance in the United Kingdom [could not be more different]( from previous administrations,” John Kampfner writes. - Congressional Gridlock: Foreign Policy interviewed lawmakers, Senate staffers, and senior national security officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations to understand how [congressional gridlock leads to backlog](—and the risks that subsequently arise.   Coming Soon: The Fall 2024 magazine [Join FP to get full digital access once it’s live.](   [FP Live]( [Could Civil War Erupt in America?]( Aug. 28 | 2:30 p.m. EDT From Northern Ireland to Syria, Barbara F. Walter has studied the genesis of civil wars around the world. The conditions that foment conflict are predictable, she says—and there are signs that those conditions are growing increasingly visible in the United States. Walter will join FP Live to lay out lessons for the United States in a crucial election year. [Register now]( or [join the FP network]( to submit your pressing questions. [A Future for Palestinian Statehood?]( On DemandU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that Israel and Hamas are reaching what may be the “last opportunity” to come to a cease-fire. But even a plan that includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops and considerable humanitarian aid may merely be a return to the status quo. Salam Fayyad, the former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, joined FP Live to discuss the future of long-term peace goals. To watch the [conversation]( on-demand, [subscribe to FP](. [What We’re Learning About Harris’s Foreign Policy]( On DemandOn Aug. 22 at the Democratic National Convention, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage to officially accept her party’s nomination. Anne-Marie Slaughter, the CEO of New America, and Matt Duss, a former foreign-policy advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders, joined FP Live for a postgame analysis and to discuss the future of the United States’ foreign policy. To watch the [conversation]( on-demand, [subscribe to FP](.   Exercise Your Mind Which world leader visited Ukraine on Friday amid Kyiv’s ongoing war with Russia? A. Vietnamese President To Lam B. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu C. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi D. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva You can find the answer to this question and learn more at the end of this email.   FROM FP EVENTS [Webinar: How to Create a Successful Podcast]( Join Foreign Policy’s award-winning podcast leadership team as they share expert strategies to navigate the crowded podcast landscape. Over the past five years, they’ve created more than 20 shows on diverse geopolitical issues, reached millions of listeners, and won more than a dozen awards. Tune into the free and virtual webinar on Sept. 12. [REGISTER NOW](   [A note from Robbie Gramer, co-writer of FP’s Situation Report newsletter]( “[Robbie]( here, starting with some bittersweet news: After nearly eight years, I am leaving Foreign Policy at the end of the month to take on a new challenge with a new job. Thank you to all the loyal readers and natsec nerds who have helped make this job so incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Foreign Policy and [SitRep]( will always have a special place in my heart. (I don’t care how hokey that sounds—it’s true.) Rest assured, SitRep will be in good hands. Going forward, Jack [Detsch] will be joined every week by our colleague [Amy Mackinnon](, who has guest-starred frequently in SitRep with her ace reporting and analysis. Stay tuned for a fuller introduction to Amy next week.” There’s never been a better time to stay informed on national security, defense, and cybersecurity news. Get in-depth insights to your inbox and [sign up]( to hear from Jack and Amy in the next edition of Situation Report.   Keep up with the U.S. Elections [The symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties are seen on display in Washington, DC on August 25, 2008. ]( [On Foreign Policy, U.S. Parties Don’t Have the Power]( Why it’s a mistake to pay much attention to the official presidential platforms. By Stephen M. Walt [Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton and his running mate Al Gore in Carthage, Tennessee, on July 12, 1992.]( [When Democrats Wrested the News Cycle from Republicans—and How They Can Do It Again]( Lessons from Bill Clinton’s war room for a changed media landscape. By Julian E. Zelizer [(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a BRICS family photo at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Aug. 23, 2023. ]( [The Young and the Westless]( New centers of power are emerging as a new generation in the global south looks beyond Washington and former European colonizers. By Samir Puri [Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reacts after accepting the vice presidential nomination during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 21. ]( [The Democrats’ Pro-Worker Agenda Can Go Global]( Picking Tim Walz as her running mate signals that Kamala Harris is all-in on the post-neoliberal shift. By Matthew Duss [On Foreign Policy, U.S. Parties Don’t Have the Power]( Why it’s a mistake to pay much attention to the official presidential platforms. By Stephen M. Walt [When Democrats Wrested the News Cycle from Republicans—and How They Can Do It Again](Lessons from Bill Clinton’s war room for a changed media landscape. By Julian E. Zelizer [The Young and the Westless](New centers of power are emerging as a new generation in the global south looks beyond Washington and former European colonizers. By Samir Puri [The Democrats’ Pro-Worker Agenda Can Go Global](Picking Tim Walz as her running mate signals that Kamala Harris is all-in on the post-neoliberal shift. By Matthew Duss   [From Around FP]( - Ones and Tooze Live Show: Secure a ticket to watch Foreign Policy’s weekly economics podcast, [Ones and Tooze](, live. Reserve a spot for the Washington show on [Sept. 17]( or the New York City show on [Sept. 25](, and explore recent episodes on [Apple](, [Spotify](, or whenever you enjoy your podcasts. - FP @UNGA79: Join us for key discussions and programming around the 79th United Nationals General Assembly. Geopolitical experts and leaders will discuss how to resolve global challenges—including food and security crises, advanced technological threats, health emergencies, and green energy needs—at one of the most consequential gatherings of the year. [Save your seat](, whether in-person or virtual, at these forums today. - New Season, Out Now: On the new season of [The Catch](, listen to how fishing communities around the world are facing major global and environmental shifts—and how they are working to adapt. Listen to the first episode on [Apple](, [Spotify](, or the platform of your choice. Produced in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation.   Are you interested in learning more about FP Analytics’ cutting-edge research services, hosting an FP Virtual Dialogue event, or building a podcast with FP Studios? [Explore partnership opportunities](. Answer: C. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trip could signal a subtle shift in India’s foreign-policy approach, FP columnist Sumit Ganguly [writes](. [At your fingertips]( Bring our trusted insights and expert reporting with you, wherever you go. Unlock high-quality analyses and reports to read at your convenience when you join FP today. [BECOME A SUBSCRIBER](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's This Week newsletter. 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