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## Kamala Harris' political views |
## Foreign policy |
### Presidential war powers |
In September 2019, _[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")_ issued a questionnaire including the question, "Under what circumstances other than a literally imminent threat to the United States, if any, does the Constitution permit a president to order an attack on another country without prior Congressional authorization? What about bombing Iranian or North Korean nuclear facilities?" Harris answered: "The President's top priority is to keep America secure, and I won't hesitate to do what it takes to protect our country in the face of an imminent threat in the future. But after almost two decades of war, it is long past time for Congress to rewrite the [Authorization for Use of Military Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force_of_2001 "Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001") that governs our current military conflicts. The situations in Iran or North Korea would require careful consideration of all of the surrounding facts and circumstances."[\[163\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-163) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Asia |
#### China |
Harris meets with Prime Minister [Lee Hsien Loong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Hsien_Loong "Lee Hsien Loong") in [Istana, Singapore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istana,_Singapore "Istana, Singapore"), August 2021. |
Harris sharply criticized President Trump's [trade war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93United_States_trade_war "China–United States trade war") with China, calling the administration's arbitrary use of tariffs "counterproductive to its goal of ensuring a level playing field for American companies."[\[164\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-164) |
Harris has also condemned the Chinese government's "[abysmal human rights record](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_China "Human rights in China")", emphasizing the mass detention of [Uyghur Muslims](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyghurs "Uyghurs") in the [Xinjiang internment camps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinjiang_internment_camps "Xinjiang internment camps") and [mass surveillance in China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_surveillance_in_China "Mass surveillance in China") for political and religious repression. She added that while cooperation with the Chinese may be necessary on global issues like [climate change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change "Climate change"), the U.S. must reclaim its moral authority to stand up forcefully for human rights in China.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-CFR2019-165) Harris has expressed her support for the [protesters in Hong Kong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_Hong_Kong_protests "2019–20 Hong Kong protests"), co-sponsoring the [Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Human_Rights_and_Democracy_Act "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act") in October 2019,[\[166\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-166) condemning the Hong Kong government's "excessive use of force" and "failure to respect the rights and autonomy of Hong Kong's people", and criticizing the Trump administration for turning "a blind eye."[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-CFR2019-165) |
In September 2023, as Harris attended the annual East Asia Summit in [Jakarta, Indonesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta,_Indonesia "Jakarta, Indonesia"),[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-167) she rebuked China for its "bullying" attempts to control access to the South China Sea.[\[168\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-168) After the trip, Harris told CBS host [Margaret Brennan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Brennan "Margaret Brennan") that the U.S. relationship with China is about both de-risking and understanding, adding, "It's not about pulling out, but it is about ensuring that we are protecting American interests, and that we are a leader in terms of the rules of the road, as opposed to following others' rules."[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-169) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Asia |
#### India |
Harris has taken stances on Indian legislation such as [the Citizenship Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_/(Amendment/)_Act,_2019 "Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019"), as well as legislation affecting [Kashmir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir "Kashmir"), which the Indian government considers sovereign matters. Within weeks after India ended Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019, Harris and other leaders of the Democratic Party met members of the Kashmiri diaspora represented by the [non-governmental organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-governmental_organization "Non-governmental organization") Justice For Kashmir (JFK). According to media reports, JFK aims to raise awareness of India's "political incursions" in Kashmir among leading U.S. politicians, bureaucrats, and intellectuals. These meetings were arranged by Asif Mahmood, a Pakistani doctor who was at the time running for [lieutenant governor of California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_governor_of_California "Lieutenant governor of California").[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-170) |
In December 2019, Harris criticized India's foreign minister, [Subrahmanyam Jaishankar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subrahmanyam_Jaishankar "Subrahmanyam Jaishankar"), for refusing to attend a meeting with Congressional delegates because the delegation included [Pramila Jayapal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pramila_Jayapal "Pramila Jayapal"), who had introduced a resolution urging India to lift restrictions on Kashmir. The [Narendra Modi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narendra_Modi "Narendra Modi") administration said the resolution was not a "fair characteristic of what the government of India is doing". |
During her presidential campaign, when Harris was asked about the lockdown in Kashmir, she said, "It is about reminding people that they are not alone, that we are all watching".[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-17082020cnnnews18-171)[\[172\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-08082019dawn-172) |
In June 2023, Harris and Secretary of State [Antony Blinken](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Blinken "Antony Blinken") hosted a luncheon with [Prime Minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_India "Prime Minister of India") Modi, at which she thanked him for his "role and leadership in helping India emerge as a global leader in the 21st century".[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-173) Modi in turn praised Harris for her achievements and called her an inspiration for women in both the U.S. and India.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-174) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Asia |
#### Myanmar |
In October 2017, Harris condemned the [genocide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%93present_Rohingya_genocide_in_Myanmar "2017–present Rohingya genocide in Myanmar") of the [Rohingya Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohingya_people "Rohingya people") minority in [Myanmar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar "Myanmar") and called for a stronger response to the crisis.[\[175\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-175) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Asia |
#### North Korea |
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vice_President_Harris_at_the_141st_Commencement_of_the_U.S._Coast_Guard_Academy_/(2/).jpg) |
Harris at U.S. Coast Guard Academy, May 2022 |
Serving on the [Select Committee on Intelligence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_Select_Committee_on_Intelligence "United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence"), Harris called [North Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea "North Korea") "one of the most serious security threats."[\[176\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-176) In February 2018, she was one of 18 Democratic senators to sign a letter to President Trump saying that he lacked the authority to launch a preemptive strike against North Korea without authorization from Congress. The letter read: |
> Without congressional authority, a preventative or preemptive U.S. military strike would lack either a constitutional basis or legal authority.[\[177\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-177) |
In February 2019, after former Acting FBI Director [Andrew McCabe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_McCabe "Andrew McCabe") said that Trump believed the claims of [President of Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Russia "President of Russia") [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin "Vladimir Putin") over U.S. intelligence agencies' reports on the subject of [North Korea's missile capabilities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction "North Korea and weapons of mass destruction"), she told reporters, "The idea that the president of the U.S. would take the word of the head of Russia over the intel community is the height of irresponsibility and shameful."[\[178\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-178) Later that month, the [2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_North_Korea%E2%80%93United_States_Hanoi_Summit "2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit") scheduled for February 27 and 28 at the [Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofitel_Legend_Metropole_Hanoi "Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi") in [Hanoi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi "Hanoi"), [Vietnam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam "Vietnam"), was cut short without an agreement after the White House claimed North Korea purportedly requested an end to all sanctions, though North Korean Foreign Minister [Ri Yong-ho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ri_Yong-ho_/(diplomat/) "Ri Yong-ho (diplomat)") later said the regime was interested only in a partial lifting of sanctions.[\[179\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-179) |
In a May 2019 appearance on CNN, Harris condemned Trump's relationship with North Korean dictator [Kim Jong-un](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-un "Kim Jong-un"). After the failure of the Hanoi summit and after a North Korean ship was seized in defiance of international sanctions, Kim conducted missile tests in retaliation, and Harris said that embracing Kim and not confronting the regime's human rights violations was "not in the best interests of the nation".[\[180\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-180) |
In an August 2019 interview, Harris emphasized that any diplomatic solution with respect to North Korea must involve Japan and [the Republic of Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea "South Korea"). When asked whether, as president, she would sign an agreement with North Korea granting partial sanctions relief in exchange for some denuclearization, Harris replied that Trump had given "Kim one PR victory after the next, all without securing any real concessions" and that she would "consider targeted sanctions relief to improve the lives of the North Korean people if the regime were to take serious, verifiable steps to roll back its nuclear program."[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-CFR2019-165) |
During the November 2019 Democratic presidential debate, Harris was asked whether she would make concessions to Kim to continue the talks the Trump administration started. Harris responded that Trump had been "punked" and had compromised the United States' ability to slow North Korea's nuclear program. She added that since military exercises with [South Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea "South Korea") had ended, there were no more concessions to be made and that Trump had "traded a photo op for nothing".[\[181\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-181) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Central and South America |
#### El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras |
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vice_President_Harris_met_with_Xiomara_Castro_shortly_after_her_inauguration_/(2/).jpg) |
Harris attends the inauguration of Honduran President [Xiomara Castro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiomara_Castro "Xiomara Castro"), January 2022. |
In April and July 2019, Harris was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Trump encouraging him "to listen to members of your own Administration" and reverse a decision to cut off $370 million in foreign assistance to [El Salvador](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Salvador "El Salvador"), [Guatemala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala "Guatemala"), and [Honduras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honduras "Honduras"). The senators argued that foreign assistance to Central American countries created less migration to the U.S. by helping to improve conditions in those countries.[\[182\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-182) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Central and South America |
#### Brazil |
In 2019, as the [2019 Amazon rainforest wildfires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Amazon_rainforest_wildfires "2019 Amazon rainforest wildfires") began intensifying in Brazil, [Bolivia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolivia "Bolivia"), [Paraguay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay "Paraguay"), and [Peru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru "Peru") as a result of [slash-and-burn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash-and-burn "Slash-and-burn") deforestation and the effects of climate change, Harris called out Brazilian President [Jair Bolsonaro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jair_Bolsonaro "Jair Bolsonaro") for his failure to act.[\[183\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-183) She later joined her Senate colleagues in urging [U.S. Trade Representative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Trade_Representative "U.S. Trade Representative") [Robert Lighthizer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lighthizer "Robert Lighthizer") to postpone trade negotiations with Brazil until he took steps to combat the deforestation.[\[184\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-184) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Central and South America |
#### Venezuela |
In early 2019, the [Venezuelan presidential crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_presidential_crisis "Venezuelan presidential crisis") erupted between factions supporting incumbent [Nicolás Maduro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol%C3%A1s_Maduro "Nicolás Maduro") and challenger [Juan Guaidó](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Guaid%C3%B3 "Juan Guaidó"). The opposition-majority [National Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_/(Venezuela/) "National Assembly (Venezuela)") declared Maduro a "usurper" and announced its intention to proceed with Guaidó as the acting president under Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution, while the [Supreme Tribunal of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Tribunal_of_Justice_/(Venezuela/) "Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Venezuela)") declared the National Assembly "unconstitutional." Protests erupted and international condemnation of Maduro followed, with about [60 countries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responses_to_the_Venezuelan_presidential_crisis "Responses to the Venezuelan presidential crisis") recognizing Guaidó as acting president.[\[185\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-185)[\[186\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-186) Recognition of the Maduro government fell along traditional geopolitical lines, with the governments of China, [Cuba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba "Cuba"), [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran "Iran"), [North Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea "North Korea"), Russia, and [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") supporting him.[\[187\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-187) Guaidó promised to allow U.S. oil companies to increase their activity in Venezuela.[\[188\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-188) His U.S. supporters,[\[189\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-189) such as Senator [Marco Rubio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Rubio "Marco Rubio"), said that Guaidó would create jobs refining heavy crude for American workers.[\[190\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-190) |
In response, Harris condemned Maduro as a repressive and corrupt dictator, calling on the Venezuelan military not to exercise use of force against civilians.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-CFR2019-165) She committed to extending [temporary protected status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_protected_status "Temporary protected status") to Venezuelans living the U.S. to prevent their deportation.[\[191\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-191) She did not support military action by U.S. forces, criticizing [John Bolton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bolton "John Bolton")'s suggestion to adopt a more [hawkish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_hawk "War hawk") position, instead advocating additional aid to humanitarian organizations working in Venezuela.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-CFR2019-165) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Europe |
#### NATO |
Harris represents the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") at Munich Security Conference standing with [NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO "NATO") allies, February 2022. |
In July 2018, ahead of an [Exercise RIMPAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_RIMPAC "Exercise RIMPAC"), the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise between the military forces from the [Pacific Rim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Rim "Pacific Rim") and beyond, Harris expressed gratitude to the member nations of [NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO "NATO"). She said that Trump's "disgusting" criticism of Canada, Germany, and other NATO countries had "frayed" the alliance but that "longtime mutual trust surpasses whatever happens in the White House".[\[192\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-192) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
#### Russia |
In June 2017, Harris spoke out against Russia's [interference in the 2016 elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_interference_in_the_2016_United_States_elections "Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections"), calling out its exploitation of divisive issues and joining the intelligence community's unanimous assessment that the Russians assisted Trump's campaign.[\[193\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-193) In July 2017, she voted for the [Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countering_America%27s_Adversaries_Through_Sanctions_Act "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act"), which grouped together [sanctions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_sanctions "International sanctions") against [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran "Iran"), Russia and [North Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea "North Korea").[\[194\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-194) |
Harris has condemned the [Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annexation_of_Crimea_by_the_Russian_Federation "Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation"), calling it a "severe violation of the international norms that have guided the world since World War II." She also called the downing of [Malaysia Airlines Flight 17](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia_Airlines_Flight_17 "Malaysia Airlines Flight 17") an act of Russian aggression, attributing responsibility for the deaths of the 298 civilian passengers to a Russian [surface-to-air](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-to-air "Surface-to-air") missile.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-CFR2019-165) She expressed her support for the sovereignty of [Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine "Ukraine") and led her colleagues in holding the Trump administration accountable on the issue by filing a [Freedom of Information Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Information_Act_/(United_States/) "Freedom of Information Act (United States)") lawsuit, in hopes of releasing documents related to the [Trump–Ukraine scandal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump%E2%80%93Ukraine_scandal "Trump–Ukraine scandal") that eventually led to [Trump's first impeachment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_impeachment_of_Donald_Trump "First impeachment of Donald Trump").[\[195\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-195)[\[196\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-196)[\[197\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-197)[\[198\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-198) |
In December 2018, after Secretary of State [Mike Pompeo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pompeo "Mike Pompeo") announced the Trump administration would suspend its obligations in the [Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate-Range_Nuclear_Forces_Treaty "Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty") in 60 days if Russia continued to violate the treaty, Harris was one of 26 senators to sign a letter expressing concern about "abandoning generations of bipartisan U.S. leadership around the paired goals of reducing the global role and number of nuclear weapons and ensuring strategic stability with America's nuclear-armed adversaries" and calling on Trump to continue arms negotiations.[\[199\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-199) |
In April 2024, Harris wrote a column for _Time_ magazine's list of 100 most influential people describing her meeting with [Yulia Navalnaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yulia_Navalnaya "Yulia Navalnaya") at the Munich Security Conference in February, the day Yulia's husband [Alexei Navalny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Navalny "Alexei Navalny"), Russian opposition leader, died in a penal colony in Russia's Far North.[\[200\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-200) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Europe |
#### Ukraine |
In February 2023, Harris said that the U.S. had determined that Russia had committed "crimes against humanity" in its [invasion of Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine "Russian invasion of Ukraine") and that the perpetrators and those complicit in their crimes would be held accountable.[\[201\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-201) |
In February 2024, Harris and [President of Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Ukraine "President of Ukraine") [Volodymyr Zelenskyy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy "Volodymyr Zelenskyy") held a news conference at the Munich Security Conference. Harris said: "President Biden and I will continue to work to secure the resources and weapons you need to succeed. We will be with you for as long as it takes."[\[202\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-202)[\[203\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-203) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Middle East |
#### Afghanistan |
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:President_Joe_Biden_and_Vice_President_Kamala_Harris_are_briefed_by_their_national_security_team.jpg) |
US President [Joe Biden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden "Joe Biden") and Kamala Harris discussing the [fall of Kabul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Kabul_/(2021/) "Fall of Kabul (2021)") with the [National Security Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Security_Council "United States National Security Council"), August 2021 |
In December 2018, Harris traveled to [Kabul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabul "Kabul"), [Mazar-e Sharif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazar-e_Sharif "Mazar-e Sharif"), and [Kandahar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandahar "Kandahar") in Afghanistan with two of her Republican colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee, [Richard Burr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burr "Richard Burr") and [James Lankford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lankford "James Lankford"), to visit troops, diplomats, and other national security professionals. Harris said the [War in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_/(2001%E2%80%93present/) "War in Afghanistan (2001–present)") must end, albeit responsibly and in coordination with regional allies to protect gains made for Afghan women and others.[\[204\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-204) |
Harris was the last person in the room when Biden made the decision to [withdraw troops from Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932021_U.S._troop_withdrawal_from_Afghanistan "2020–2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan").[\[205\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-205) In the days after the U.S. completed the withdrawal, Harris made a rare appearance in the Senate chamber as the Senate passed a bill furthering repatriation funding to aid over 5,000 Americans who evacuated from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country.[\[206\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-206) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Middle East |
#### Israel |
In 2017, Harris gave a public address to [AIPAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Israel_Public_Affairs_Committee "American Israel Public Affairs Committee") attendees. She said: "I believe Israel should never be a partisan issue, and as long as I'm a United States senator, I will do everything in my power to ensure broad and bipartisan support for Israel's security and right to self-defense."[\[207\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-Intercept2018-207) She noted that "the first resolution I co-sponsored as a United States senator was to combat anti-Israel bias at the United Nations", referring to a Senate resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification.[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-JNS_News-208)[\[209\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-209)[\[210\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-210) Also in that speech, she expressed her support for a [two-state solution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-state_solution "Two-state solution") to the [Israeli–Palestinian conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Palestinian_conflict "Israeli–Palestinian conflict").[\[207\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-Intercept2018-207) |
In late 2017, Harris traveled to Israel, met with Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu "Benjamin Netanyahu"), and visited the [Western Wall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall "Western Wall"), [Yad Vashem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yad_Vashem "Yad Vashem"), and the [Supreme Court of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Israel "Supreme Court of Israel").[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-JNS_News-208) Executive Director of the [Jewish Democratic Council of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Democratic_Council_of_America "Jewish Democratic Council of America") Halie Soifer, who previously served as Harris's national security advisor, said:[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-JNS_News-208) |
> She has been a lifelong supporter of Israel. She has talked about the importance of ensuring that the US-Israel relationship remains strong, and not be politicized in the way that this administration has done to divide Democrats. I think she's very supportive of the US-Israel relationship. |
In 2018, in another speech to [AIPAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIPAC "AIPAC"), Harris reiterated her support for Israel, reminiscing about growing up in the Bay Area, collecting funds to plant trees in Israel for the [Jewish National Fund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_National_Fund "Jewish National Fund").[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-JNS_News-208) She later condemned antisemitism in the aftermath of [Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_synagogue_shooting "Pittsburgh synagogue shooting") shooting, in which 11 worshippers died. |
In 2019, Harris opposed the [Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycott,_Divestment_and_Sanctions "Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions") movement targeting Israel.[\[211\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-jta-211) She co-sponsored a Senate resolution expressing objection to the [UN Security Council Resolution 2334](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_2334 "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334"), which condemned [Israeli settlement building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_settlement "Israeli settlement") in the [West Bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bank "West Bank") as a violation of international law.[\[208\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-JNS_News-208)[\[212\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-212)[\[211\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-jta-211) |
Harris with Israeli President [Isaac Herzog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Herzog "Isaac Herzog") at the [60th Munich Security Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60th_Munich_Security_Conference "60th Munich Security Conference"), February 2024 |
In March 2024, in remarks at the [Edmund Pettus Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Pettus_Bridge "Edmund Pettus Bridge") in [Selma, Alabama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma,_Alabama "Selma, Alabama"), Harris called for a ceasefire in the [Israel–Hamas war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war "Israel–Hamas war") and urged Hamas to accept a deal to release hostages in return for violence ending for six weeks: "People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act. The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses."[\[213\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-213) |
In August 2024, national security advisor [Philip H. Gordon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_H._Gordon "Philip H. Gordon") said that Harris did not support an [arms embargo on Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycotts_of_Israel "Boycotts of Israel") or placing conditions for military aid to Israel.[\[214\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-214)[\[215\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-215) |
On August 10, 2024, when asked about the [Al-Tabaeen school attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Tabaeen_school_attack "Al-Tabaeen school attack") in [Gaza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip "Gaza Strip"), Harris said Israel had a right to "go after Hamas" but should "avoid civilian casualties", adding, "First and foremost—and the president and I have been working on this around the clock—we need to get the hostages out."[\[216\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-216) |
## Kamala Harris' political views |
### Middle East |
#### Iran |
Harris supported the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Comprehensive_Plan_of_Action "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action"), also known as the [Iran nuclear deal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_nuclear_deal "Iran nuclear deal").[\[211\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-jta-211) In 2018, after Trump announced the U.S. was withdrawing from the treaty, Harris released a statement saying the decision "jeopardizes our national security and isolates us from our closest allies" while calling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action "the best existing tool we have to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and avoid a disastrous military conflict in the Middle East."[\[217\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-217) In 2019, Harris said she would rejoin the agreement and expand it to cover ballistic missile testing.[\[218\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Kamala_Harris#cite_note-218) |