What’s the Left’s Vision for Foreign Policy After Trump?

The Democratic Party faces a significant foreign policy reckoning, particularly regarding its approach to Israel and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, argues that the party must move beyond the Biden administration’s failed policies, which he characterizes as complicit in atrocities and reliant on disinformation. A new, left-wing foreign policy should prioritize human rights, uphold existing arms-export laws, and shift away from maintaining U.S. global military hegemony. Central to this transformation is the need for Congress to reclaim its constitutional war powers and for the party to adopt a values-based framework that centers the needs of working families. Ultimately, this shift requires a departure from elite-driven foreign policy toward a more accountable, transparent, and solidaristic internationalism that addresses the root causes of global instability.