POST ELECTION RESULTS: IMPACT AND SIGNIFICANCE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY

President Barack Obama talks with President Vladimir Putin as they join other leaders en route to the APEC Family Photo at the International Convention Center in Beijing, China, Nov. 11, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

By Harry C. Blaney III

No one should doubt that the result of the 2014 Midterm elections will have a major impact on America’s international role. It will make more difficult for President Barack Obama to conduct America’s business abroad, but it will not stop him from carrying out a vigorous foreign affairs and national security agenda. The constitution gives the president wide powers in this field. This includes his authority to make policy and take action by executive order on foreign affairs and domestic issues; and he has much room to promote U.S. goals globally.

ELECTION PREVIEW: THE SAD STORY OF OUR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ELECTION DEBATE

Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), one of various Democratic incumbents at risk of losing their re-election campaigns (Photo: AP)

By Harry C. Blaney III

“And so just understand — the folks on the other side, they’re counting on you being cynical. They’re figuring you won’t think you can make a difference. They figure you won’t organize. They figure you won’t vote. You will just go along with the status quo…. Don’t buy it. Don’t be cynical. Be hopeful…. Cynicism didn’t put anybody on the moon. Cynicism has never ended a war. It has never cured a disease. It did not build a business. It did not feed a young mind. Cynicism is a choice. And hope is a better choice. ” – President Obama while campaigning for Mary Burke in Wisconsin (October 28, 2014)

We are now just one day from the midterm elections and we are providing a quick review of what we have seen in the debate, or really a lack of substantial debate, on foreign policy and national security this election season. It will be no surprise to those interested in how America engages abroad that there are at least three very early sad insights we can draw from this election season’s lack of strong debate about key international issues, and worse, a flight to emptiness and lies.