By John Ubaldi, “Ubaldi Reports”

Continuing John Ubaldi’s look at the 2020 Democratic candidates, we examine American billionaire, hedge fund manager, liberal activist Tom Steyer.

The U.S. decision to remove American military personnel from Syria has the national security establishment vocally speaking out about this ill-advised decision, many of both parties have criticized President Trump, but how would the next president deal with the complex dynamics of the Middle East?

As we enter the 2020 presidential election, little attention has been paid to national security, but what has not been covered is how would each of the Democratic candidates seeking the presidency deal with global challenges?

What is there vision for U.S. foreign policy?

Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer

With the presidential election campaign moving forward, we have begun a series of articles assessing the credentials and polices of the Democratic candidates. This week we will examine the national security vision of American billionaire, hedge fund manager, and liberal activist Tom Steyer.

Much like President Trump who became the first billionaire and first president elected without either political or military experience to occupy the White House, Steyer aims to follow in his path.  Unlike Trump, Steyer made his fortune has a hedge fund manager and ventured into philanthropy over the years supporting many various progressive causes across the country.

Steyer like Trump has held no elected office nor does he have any foreign policy experience outside of business.

Steyer Vague on his National Security Vision

Much of the Democratic candidates running for president have focused squarely on domestic policy, and rarely have articulated a national security vision except as it relates to climate change.  Steyer like the rest of the Democratic field have presented a vague level of policy proposals relating to national security.

When one begins to analyze Steyer’s presidential campaign website it shows a thin level of details of what his national security vision would be, on his website he states that on becoming Commander in Chief, he would understand that his first job is to keep America safe.  He will embrace that challenge by ensuring that those who serve our country continue to be the best-trained and best-equipped fighting force in the world. That means being ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century, including a rapidly changing climate.  By rebuilding strong partnerships and coalitions like NATO, Tom will bring a steady hand and cool temper back to the White House. He respects the full responsibility of America’s global leadership, the gravity of holding the nuclear codes, and the solemn honor of commanding America’s armed forces.

Opponents Question his Foreign Policy Vision

Opponents would challenge him on what does he mean that the armed forces of the United States would be the best-trained and best-equipped fighting force in the world, what direction or change to current doctrine by the Defense Department would he later alter or change.

Since the end of the Second World War, various administrations have articulated various changes to the Department of Defense with the most glaring example following the Truman administration downsizing U.S. conventional capabilities in favor of nuclear deterrence.  This re-calibration left the U.S. ill-prepared for the conventional war in Korea it found itself engaged in.

How Would Steyer Work with NATO?  

How would Steyer build strong partnership with our allies especially NATO, when member nations aren’t fulfilling their defense obligations, or modernizing their military capabilities, the German military as an example is rated as non-deployable as an organization.  How would Steyer address this glaring deficiency?

How would Steyer work with our European allies, especially Germany which under Chancellor Angela Merkel has moved her country closer economically with Russia, but at the same time wants U.S. protection from an aggressive Russia. How would Steyer deal with this complex arrangement?

Many of the Democratic challengers to President Trump firmly believe that the administration has diminished the U.S. in the eyes of our allies and embolden our adversaries and Steyer is no different.  Steyer believes that Trump’s tweets and tantrums, have broken promises to our allies and escalated a security crisis. If elected Steyer would rebuild our global alliances into a coalition that will work together to solve the serious, urgent challenges that we all face, starting with climate change.

Questions Remain on how to Deal with Russia, China and Iran

How would a Steyer administration deal with an expansionist China, an aggressive Russia, a belligerent Iran and convince our allies on threat each poses? Would Steyer recommit the U.S. to the Iran nuclear agreement, and if so would this mean he would lift all sanctions on Iran as the agreement calls for.  How would Steyer prevent Iran from utilizing this new revenue from destabilizing the Middle East region as they had in the past after the agreement was signed in 2015?

Steyer Believes Climate Change is a National Security Threat  

One of the first items Steyer has committed to instituting if elected would to recommit the United States to the Paris Climate Agreement and hold others accountable for environmental crimes.  How would Steyer hold China accountable when they are also a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, and the globes worst polluter, what actions would he take to ensure there compliance?

One of the most challenging aspects that confront the U.S. economy is international trade, how would Steyer prevent China from stealing American business intellectual properties, forced technological transfer, currency manipulation and other nefarious actions, how would have be different then President Trump?

How would a Steyer administration prevent our allies from placing tariffs on U.S. products while simultaneously dumping their exports into the United States?

If Steyer becomes president he would immediately be faced with many foreign policy challenges from the Middle East, to Russia, to confronting an expansionist China and hopefully before the next presidential debate on November 20th we will get more clarification on what his national security vision will be.