In a recent media tour, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has detailed her proposed response to the lethal drone attack in Jordan, contrasting her foreign policy experience with that of former President Donald Trump.
Following the attack that claimed the lives of three American soldiers, Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, has advocated for a strategic approach towards Iran in a series of six media interviews. She proposed targeting the leadership of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), disrupting the resources of Iran-backed militias in the region, and imposing new sanctions to cut off financial support to Iran.
Emphasizing her foreign policy expertise, Haley argued for a calculated approach to Iran, aiming to prevent further American casualties. She contrasted this with a more random approach that could potentially escalate tensions.
“Find one or two of them that are making the decisions. It will chill all of them when you do that,” Haley said on Fox News, suggesting such strikes would catch Iran off guard.
She further reinforced her stance on Tuesday, stating she would target IRGC leadership regardless of their location, a move that could potentially draw the US deeper into the Middle East conflict.
Former President Trump, on the other hand, has not provided specific details on how he would respond to the drone strike, which also injured at least 30 US service members. In a statement, Trump claimed the attack would not have occurred under his administration, citing his maximum pressure campaign on Iran. He later blamed President Biden for the deaths of the three service members.
Despite the differing approaches, foreign policy was listed as the most important issue by less than 15% of voters in the GOP primary in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to CNN entrance and exit polls. The economy and immigration were the top two issues.
Haley has consistently highlighted her foreign policy expertise throughout her campaign and is now using the recent events to further distinguish her approach from President Biden’s.
“My husband’s serving overseas. Military families want to know their loved ones are protected. Biden didn’t protect them, and there have been 160 strikes. There shouldn’t have been one,” Haley said on Monday.
President Biden has stated that he has decided how the US will respond to the drone attack, but has not yet revealed the planned actions. Whether Haley’s response would differ significantly from Biden’s remains to be seen.
Despite the GOP undergoing a foreign policy identity crisis, Haley, seen as a traditional GOP hawk, has asserted that her response to the drone attack would aim to prevent wars.
“The goal is always to prevent war,” she has repeatedly said in recent days.
When questioned about the feasibility of targeting IRGC leadership while also aiming to prevent further war, Haley argued that both objectives were achievable.
She also expressed her belief that Americans are not eager for broader conflict because the reasons for American action overseas have not been clearly communicated. This is a point she has consistently made throughout her campaign, particularly in relation to US support for Ukraine.
“You know why they don’t have the appetite? No one has told them why they should care. Biden hasn’t said it; Congress hasn’t said it. You have to overcommunicate with the American people. This is not about starting war; this is about preventing war,” Haley said on CBS on Tuesday.
This story will be updated as more developments occur.