JD Vance’s world: Where does Trump VP pick stand on Israel, Ukraine, China?
Al Jazeera
Vance backs full support for Israel in Gaza, but wants caution with Iran, focus on China, and less support for Ukraine.
Former US President Donald Trump wasn’t the only leader who received a rockstar welcome at the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Monday. Also soaking in the adulation was JD Vance, the 39-year-old Ohio senator picked by Trump – two days after an assassination bid on the ex-president – as his vice presidential nominee for the November election.
Vance once wondered whether Trump was “cynical a**hole” or “America’s Hitler”. Now, he is poised to serve as Trump’s wingman, and potentially, the next vice president of the United States.
A venture capitalist and a veteran, Vance vaulted to national prominence with his book-turned-movie Hillbilly Elegy. He is part of a stream of Republicans arguing for a hands-off approach to foreign policy. That policy prioritises US interests, is dubious about military intervention, and questions the US’s longstanding approach to global alliances.
But Vance’s “America First” approach has its limits, too. Here’s a look at the outspoken senator’s foreign policy perspectives on everything from Israel’s war on Gaza and the conflict in Ukraine, to rising tensions with China:
Vance’s foreign policy can be surmised as “America first with an Israel exception”. When Hamas carried out its attack on October 7 last year, Vance pinned blame on the Biden administration for enabling the Palestinian group.
