Kamala Harris’s foreign policy stance: A guessing game unfolds

Kamala Harris, as vice president, has engaged with numerous world leaders and participated in significant global events, showcasing her extensive experience in foreign policy. Notably, she briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on U.S. intelligence regarding a potential Russian invasion just days before it occurred in 2022. Her involvement in a recent prisoner swap with Russia further highlights her active role in international relations. However, the extent to which her foreign policy approach may differ from President Biden's remains uncertain. While Harris has expressed formal sympathy for Ukraine, some officials perceive her engagement as lacking depth. Speculation arises regarding her perspective on Israel, with suggestions that her immigrant background may influence her views differently than Biden's generation. Despite this, experts indicate that there is little substantive difference in their policies regarding Israel and Gaza, although Harris has shown a greater empathy for Palestinian civilians in her rhetoric. Sources close to Harris suggest she privately disagrees with Biden's framing of global politics as a binary struggle between democracy and autocracy, viewing it as overly simplistic. This perspective may reflect a broader critique of the Biden administration's focus on the global south primarily in the context of competition with Russia and China. Harris's past statements advocating for reduced defense spending contrast with her current commitment to maintaining a strong military presence. Ultimately, the unpredictability of foreign policy means that campaign rhetoric may not accurately predict future actions. Historical precedents show that incoming leaders often shift their stances significantly once in office, influenced by unforeseen global events and changing political landscapes.