Tulsi Gabbard shifts to pro-Putin stance amid political changes

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic House member from Hawaii, has shifted her political stance significantly, endorsing Donald Trump for the presidency and becoming one of his campaign surrogates. This change is alarming as it aligns with a growing isolationist movement within the Republican Party. Gabbard's political journey began in 2013 when she opposed U.S. intervention in Syria, advocating against military action despite the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Her stance contributed to a lack of Western response to the humanitarian crisis, allowing Assad to continue his violent campaign, which resulted in over 300,000 civilian deaths and millions of refugees. Gabbard's support for Assad's narrative that his opponents were primarily terrorists further complicated the situation, as it inadvertently aided the rise of ISIS. The consequences of her inaction in Syria extended beyond its borders, contributing to the European migrant crisis and the destabilization of NATO alliances. This environment of chaos and violence provided an opportunity for Putin to expand his influence, culminating in the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine. In recent years, Gabbard has been criticized for cozying up to authoritarian regimes and spreading Russian propaganda. Her defense of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, along with her promotion of conspiracy theories regarding U.S. biological weapons in Ukraine, has shocked many, including conservative commentators. Ultimately, Gabbard's political evolution reflects a broader trend of retreat from democratic values and human rights, raising concerns about the implications for U.S. foreign policy and global stability.