U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Post

Transcript

Welcome to Liz's 360A lightning round of what's happening around the world on Capitol Hill and how it impacts Main Street USA with a quick sneak peek into next week. So let's get started Now before we dive into our own swirling politics, let's zoom out to the world events because believe it or not, there is news outside our 2024 race. So first up, a global ends. Now. Earlier this month, we saw the strength of Western allies joined together here in Washington. BC during the 75th NATO summit, it was pretty amazing to see this show of transnational political unity and force, from support for Ukraine to opposition to Putin, Iran, North Korea and even concerns about China. Now I think NATO Secretary General Yens Stoltenberg said it best. China has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine. Allies have stated clearly that China cannot enable the largest conflict in Europe. In recent history, meanwhile, recent elections in the UK and France, part of what we've been calling the Year the World Votes, tells a complex but important story for us. France saw a surge in support for far right and far left parties that left incumbent President Mccrone weakened but still hanging on. And in the UK, the Labor Party handidly defeated the incumbent Conservative Party for the first time in 14 years. Now voters certainly seem to be frustrated. Perhaps. Putting more against candidates than voting for candidates. Certainly we've seen that sentiment before. Now. One question that I'm watching is whether this new UK government will improve on the country's support to developing countries, which has dropped in the past few years. Now Remember, the bridge used to be the gold standards before pulling back from their high watermark of investing .7% of GDP in overseas development assistance prior to 2020. As of now, the Labor Party manifesto. Is silent on this issue, so we'll be watching for the political science from our friends across the pond. Now Speaking of politics topic #2 the US elections and foreign policy. Now, every four years we say that this is a unusual year, but this year it really is complicated for the US GC. We are laser focused on what the parties and candidates are saying about foreign policy. So let me start with a tale of two platforms, the Republican platform. Is done and it's 16 pages long. The Democrats isn't out yet, but the draft is 80 pages. Now you can decide which length you like best, but I'm focused on the language around America's role in the world. For the Republicans, I like what I saw on foreign policy and US global organization. Well, I didn't like the line criticizing quote, blind faith in the siren call of globalism. But the substance was strong with an emphasis on quote, peace through strength and quote, strengthening alliances. And economic, military and diplomatic capabilities. Now the Democratic platform hasn't been formally endorsed, but I did get a sneak peek and it calls for, quote, strengthening American leadership worldwide and stating, quote, we must rally the world to address the challenges that impact all of us. They mentioned global health, human rights, food security and inclusive economic growth since 1984. Now you know how old I am. I've been attending nearly every Democratic and Republican conventions to advance America's role in the world. This year, US GLC, as we've done for our. Many years teamed up with our democracy promotion friends across the aisle at the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute to amplify leading voices on US global leadership. In Milwaukee, we had this epic event bringing together over a dozen of some of the most senior Republican National security and foreign policy leaders before a packed crowd. We had Robert O'Brien, Rick Grinnell and many more. There was widespread agreement that the best way to keep America safe and advance our economic prosperity. Is by remaining engaged on the global stage, not retreating from it. Here's one of our speakers, former State Department spokesperson during the Trump administration, Morgan Ortegas. It's a nasty world with nasty dictators. And if we actually all care about this rules based order that we've been talking about for selling, if we actually care about the West leading, then we need to get serious, not just in rhetoric, but in policy. Our report on the Democratic convention next month, which takes me to topic #3 the Capitol Hill Sprint. Now, we've only got a week left for Congress to finish up its work before heading back home for August recess. Well, they're clearly put their attention towards their campaigning. There's plenty on their plate in this final week. And Congress continues to plow through the spending bills. And this week, Senate Appropriations are working on the state foreign operations bill, which funds the State Department and Americans Development agencies. Now, when they finish, I expect the Senate version to be stronger than the House passed version when it comes to overall spending. There's one other bill I want to point out. Thanks to the bipartisan effort of Chairman Mike McCall and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced a reauthorization for the all important Development Finance Corporation, an agency that is critical to ensure that the US has the tools to outcompete China. That's good news. So now my sneak peek. So this Friday we finally get a little bit of a break from the non-stop politicking with the opening of the Summer Olympics in Paris and we can all come together. Not just here for either red or for blue, but actually cheer for the red, white and blue. As our athletes take center stage, it's worth taking note of the unifying power sports diplomacy, not to mention the power of America's alliances. The world gathers in the heart of Europe. Earlier this summer, we host an NBA superstar and State Department sports ambassador, Stephen Howard at our Global Impact Forum. And he captured it perfectly. He said, quote, sports breaks down barriers and allows our athletes to expose the world. To American people and American values. So game on. Go Team USA, enjoy the Olympics, and stay tuned for the next Liz's 360.