Foreign Policy

Scott Kleeb knows firsthand the role that American foreign policy plays in both world affairs and world opinion. For that reason, Scott is committed to using diplomacy that fosters international cooperation while advancing American values around the world. Whether it’s dealing with the war in Iraq, the Middle East peace negotiations, or nuclear threats from Iran, Scott believes we must lead the world from a position of strength supported by both military might and our proud principles of democracy and equality.

RESPONSIBLY END WAR IN IRAQ

The war in Iraq has cost America and Nebraska dearly. As of July 2008, more than 4,100 Americans had lost their lives and more than 30,000 had been wounded. Scott Kleeb believes that we must bring about a responsible end to the war - one that would bring our troops home while ensuring that Iraq and the rest of the region does not spiral into chaos. To do this, Scott firmly believes we must recommit to using a multilateral diplomatic approach.

Responsibly end war in Iraq. General Petraeus has said, “There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq.” Scott Kleeb agrees and is committed to reengaging the international community through the United Nations to find a political solution in Iraq.

Set meaningful political, diplomatic, and economic benchmarks.

Compel Iraq to lead. Scott Kleeb believes that the Iraqi government must be compelled to take charge of its own future. Scott believes we must not only implement the bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommendations, but also:

Draw down U.S. troops based on military experts’ determination and not political timetables.
No permanent military bases.
Compel Iraq to invest in its own future.

REFOCUS WAR ON TERROR

The Bush Administration's policy in Iraq - which employed a unilateral approach that ended up diverting limited resources away from pursuing al-Qaeda terrorists - has left our country more isolated and less secure. Scott Kleeb believes it is critical to our national security that we refocus the war on terror to combat the real threats we face. That focus begins on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

Focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Scott Kleeb believes the United States must shift its focus from Iraq to recommit to the war in Afghanistan and the pursuit of al-Qaeda terrorists hiding in places like Pakistan.

Bring Osama bin Laden to justice. Washington has taken its sights - and critical resources - off capturing Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 terror attacks that killed thousands of innocent Americans. Scott Kleeb believes that investing in our intelligence community and refocusing our efforts in areas such as Afghanistan, which are critical components to ensuring homeland security.

PURSUE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Scott Kleeb is a staunch supporter of Israel, a loyal ally of the United States and the only true democracy in the Middle East. Scott is committed to protecting Israel’s right to exist and flourish free from terrorism within secure and recognized boundaries, and believes the United States should play a prominent and constructive roll in the peace process.

Commit to lasting peace in the Middle East. Establishing a lasting peace in the Middle East is not only in the interests of Israelis and Palestinians; it’s also in the interest of the United States. Scott Kleeb believes that the U.S. must resume its leadership role in the peace talks. That’s why Scott is committed to:

Recommitting U.S. leadership to the peace process.
Leading, not dictating.
Recognizing Israel’s right to exist.

Protect Israel’s right to defend itself. Israel is the one true democracy in the Middle East and is our ally in the global fight against terrorism. Because of this, Scott Kleeb knows that Israel’s continued success and strength - as well as its right to defend itself from terrorist groups - are important U.S. interests.

Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorist groups, like Hamas and Hezbollah, and anti-Semitic nations, like Iran, that threaten its right to exist.
While Israel must chart the peace-negotiations course, the United States should not pursue negotiations with, or pressure Israel to negotiate with, nations that sponsor terrorist groups or allow terrorist groups to flourish within their borders.
Scott Kleeb is committed to working with Egypt, Jordan, and the broader international community to prevent the smuggling of weapons and funds to terrorist groups like Hamas.

ADDRESS THE IRANIAN THREAT

Iran has sought nuclear weapons, supports militias both inside Iraq and terrorist groups across the region, and President Ahmadinejad has directly threatened Israel and denied the Holocaust. Scott Kleeb believes that we must deal strongly with this regime, not only for regional security but for our own national security.

Don’t repeat past mistakes. Scott Kleeb believes that we must be prepared to deal directly with the Iranian threat, by force if necessary. However, Scott knows it is imperative that we not repeat the mistakes made by the Bush Administration in Iraq, such as pursuing war before exhausting all options and employing a unilateral strategy that alienated America from the world community.

Support sanctions. Scott Kleeb supports continuing economic sanctions against Iran - which sponsors terrorism and is unabashedly pursuing nuclear weapons - a strategy that the National Intelligence Estimate recently concluded has effectively limited Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Bring Iran into the global community. President Kennedy said, “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” Using this principle, Scott Kleeb believes there are ways to capitalize on the growing divide in Iran between the current regime and a more reform-minded - and increasingly agitated - civil society. Moreover, Iran’s significant economic woes coupled with its own desperate need for more and cheaper energy offer an opportunity to work with the regime from a position of strength. That’s why Scott believes we must demand that Iran give up its nuclear ambitions and support for terrorism in exchange for any consideration of membership in the World Trade Organization.

ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH TRADE

Scott Kleeb knows that a thriving global economy is both a road to economic prosperity and to spreading the promise of democracy. From its earliest days, international trade has served as an opportunity to trade more than just goods; it served as an opportunity to trade ideas, thoughts, values, and cultures. That’s why Scott believes our foreign trade policy must take a strong and focused approach in negotiating agreements that provide new opportunities for American workers and businesses and promote American values while forging deeper ties with our trading partners.

Expand economic ties. The United States’ leadership in the global economy and our commitment to global trade is not just about dollars and cents. It’s also about strengthening our position and using our economic strength as an opportunity to export our most cherished resources - our values.

Promote fair trade, not free trade. Expanding trade with other countries should not mean sacrificing American jobs, nor should it be a one-way street. Scott Kleeb supports trade agreements that require other countries to follow clear, transparent rules, and to provide real opportunities for U.S. farmers and firms to access foreign markets.

Effective enforcement of existing agreements. The United States cannot benefit from free trade if other countries don’t abide by the rules. Scott Kleeb believes that we must dedicate more resources to enforcing our existing trade agreements when other countries block U.S. goods and services, including bringing more cases to the World Trade Organization.

Strong labor and environmental protections. Our free trade agreements should truly level the playing field between U.S. and foreign firms, by ensuring that our trading partners have strong labor and environmental standards. The U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement, recently approved by Congress, contains the strongest labor and environmental standards of any U.S. trade agreement, including a commitment by Peru to combat illegal logging. Scott Kleeb believes this is a step in the right direction.

Expand trade adjustment assistance. Scott Kleeb recognizes that some industries and communities can be harmed by increased imports. That’s why he supports expanding trade adjustment assistance to retrain displaced workers, including those in the services sector. Comprehensive education and training are essential to putting Americans back to work, and maintaining U.S. competitiveness.

SUPPORT HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

Scott Kleeb strongly believes that U.S. foreign aid is an important diplomatic tool which can bolster America’s standing in the world. That’s why Scott supports:

Increased aid to combat HIV/AIDS. In a true display of bipartisan spirit, Congress came together this summer to pass a remarkable increase to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) fund to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and around the world. This visionary commitment to global health is more than just admirable - it’s morally right. Scott Kleeb will continue this bipartisan approach to global health.

Stop genocide in Darfur. After six years of senseless violence that led to the deaths of roughly 400,000 Sudanese and the displacement of more than 2.5 million Darfurians, it is long past time to end the genocide in Darfur. Scott Kleeb believes that ending the atrocities in Darfur is not just the Sudan’s, or Africa’s, problem, but the world’s problem. Scott Kleeb believes that the United States should ensure that a multinational peacekeeping force can enter, and affect change, in Darfur. Further, Scott believes that the Sudanese government must take responsibility for its role in the violence and offer a true cease-fire.

Ending slavery. Experts estimate that approximately 27 million people are enslaved in the world today. Right here in the United States, the CIA estimates that more than 15,000 people are trafficked into our country each year. Scott Kleeb believes we have an obligation to end human trafficking - and America should lead the way. That means rooting out those who sponsor forced labor operations both here and abroad.