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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.Born in 1954, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr is an environmental lawyer who started his public career in 1985 as an attorney for the environmental nonprofit RiverKeeper. He co-founded the WaterKeeper Alliance and served as its President for 21 years. Kennedy is the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. After initially seeking the Democratic party nomination, he announced candidacy as an independent on October 9, 2023.
Campaign Website: kennedy24.com |
photo source: Campaign Website
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Military Assistance to Ukraine
Kennedy's position on increasing military aid to Ukraine is unclear. He has called for U.S. support to Ukraine but also for a diplomatic solution and less U.S. global engagement militarily.
Peace topic, Campaign Website
As President, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will start the process of unwinding empire. We will bring the troops home. We will stop racking up unpayable debt to fight one war after another. The military will return to its proper role of defending our country. We will end the proxy wars, bombing campaigns, covert operations, coups, paramilitaries, and everything else that has become so normal most people don’t know it’s happening. But it is happening, a constant drain on our strength. It’s time to come home and restore this country.
In Ukraine, the most important priority is to end the suffering of the Ukrainian people, victims of a brutal Russian invasion, and also victims of American geopolitical machinations going back at least to 2014. We must first get clear: Is our mission to help the brave Ukrainians defend their sovereignty? Or is it to use Ukraine as a pawn to weaken Russia? Kennedy will choose the first. He will find a diplomatic solution that brings peace to Ukraine and brings our resources back where they belong. We will offer to withdraw our troops and nuclear-capable missiles from Russia's borders. Russia will withdraw its troops from Ukraine and guarantee its freedom and independence. UN peacekeepers will guarantee peace to the Russian-speaking eastern regions. We will put an end to this war. We will put an end to the suffering of the Ukranian people. That will be the start of a broader program of demilitarization of all countries.
Border topic, Campaign Website
End military adventurism that destabilizes other nations and generates millions of refugees. That’s what happened in Syria and Iraq, which sent millions of migrants into Europe. The current flood of arms into Ukraine sends ripples of instability across the continent. Some of the weapons have already ended up in Africa and central Asia, two major sources of immigration.
Arms to Israel
Kennedy appears to be in favor of military aid to Israel. He has called for unequivocal support for Israel.
Press release on Campaign website, October 7, 2023
“This ignominious, unprovoked, and barbaric attack on Israel must be met with world condemnation and unequivocal support for the Jewish state’s right to self-defense. We must provide Israel with whatever it needs to defend itself — now. As President, I’ll make sure that our policy is unambiguous so that the enemies of Israel will think long and hard before attempting aggression of any kind.
I applaud the strong statements of support from the Biden White House for Israel in her hour of need. However, the scale of these attacks means it is likely that Israel will need to wage a sustained military campaign to protect its citizens. Statements of support are fine, but we must follow through with unwavering, resolute, and practical action. America must stand by our ally throughout this operation and beyond as it exercises its sovereign right to self-defense.”
Arms to Saudi Arabia
Our research has not indicated a position on this specific topic. Kennedy has expressed concern about U.S. actions increasing tension in the Middle East
If Saudi Arabia agreed to normalize relations with Israel but requested a guarantee from the United States to defend the Kingdom militarily in exchange, would you seek to ratify a treaty making that commitment?
"We think the premise of this question to be unlikely. Saudi Arabia is armed to the teeth and has no need of such a guarantee. As it has good relations with most other nations, its [only] plausible national security threat is Iran. However, much of the Sunni-Shiite conflict in the past arose from U.S. geopolitical maneuvering that elevated tensions throughout the region.”
Arms to Taiwan
Our research has not indicated a position on this specific topic. Kennedy has called for decreasing tension with (and concern about) China.
“We believe that China has no desire for military confrontation. We will therefore ratchet down the tensions and cease the provocations in the South China Sea and elsewhere. We will adopt a posture that does not see China as an ‘adversary,’ and begin to negotiate arms control treaties in good faith so that both countries can reduce military spending to better the lives of their citizens.”
Military intervention across Mexican border
Kennedy's is opposed to using U.S. force in Mexico. He has been vocal about using technology to tighten border security.
Response to Responsible Statecraft, first published November 14, 2023
If elected, would you request an authorization from Congress to use military force against drug cartels in Mexico?
“Absolutely not. The Mexicans have the power to overcome the drug cartels themselves. We can aid them by sharing intelligence, by shutting down the illegal weapons trade, by cracking down on money laundering activities of US banks, and by prosecuting the cartels' collaborators in this country.”
Border topic, Campaign Website
Tighten border security to regain control over the border. We will use technology that was installed at the border then dismantled by the Biden administration, such as cameras, lights, and motion detectors, coupled with physical barriers in key areas (there is no need to build a wall across the entire 2,000-mile border). We have the technology to prevent people from getting through undetected. We can control the border. We have the technology. We can deploy the personnel. All we need is the will.
Arms Trade Treaty
Our research has not indicated a position on this topic.