From: allin
Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate, discussed his perspectives on US foreign policy, military spending, and the nation’s identity during a podcast appearance [01:08:08]. His views often challenge the conventional stances within his party and the broader political establishment [01:07:37].
Defining American Exceptionalism
Ramaswamy believes in American exceptionalism, defining it as the exceptionalism of the ideals that set the country into motion [01:09:07]. He argues that the U.S. is most exceptional when it sets an example for other nations, acting as “The Shining City on a Hill,” rather than imposing its ideology and values on other countries [00:30:37]. He views the current approach of “foisting our values on anyone” as a misinterpretation of American exceptionalism [00:32:41].
Critique of Current Foreign Policy
Ramaswamy criticizes what he sees as a militarized edge in recent US foreign policy, citing interventions in the Middle East like Afghanistan and Iraq, and current involvement in Ukraine [00:31:00]. He believes Ukraine is on track to become “the next Vietnam or the next Iraq” [00:31:42]. He suggests that the focus on foreign conflicts is a “deflection away from the harder step of taking a long hard look in the mirror and asking ourselves about the health of our own Nation today” [00:40:48].
He attributes the fixation on Ukraine to it becoming a “new religion” or a substitute for purpose and meaning, similar to “climatism or wokism” [00:31:59]. He notes a phenomenon where more trans flags and Ukraine flags were visible than American flags in Washington D.C. [00:32:18].
Ukraine and Russia: A Proactive Deal
Instead of continued military aid to Ukraine, Ramaswamy proposes a “Korean War-style Armistice” deal to end the conflict [00:34:36]. Key elements of his proposed deal include:
- Freezing the current lines of control, granting Russia most of the Donbas region [00:34:40].
- Assurance that NATO will not admit Ukraine [00:34:51].
- In return, Russia must exit its military partnership with China, dissolving the “No Limits partnership” [00:34:57].
- Putin would be required to remove nuclear weapons from Kaliningrad and any Russian military presence from the U.S. Western Hemisphere (Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua) [00:35:28].
- Reopening economic relations with Russia to prevent Putin from becoming “Xi Jinping’s little brother” [00:35:42].
His UkraineRussia conflict and US foreign policy strategy is viewed through the prism of China being the “top long-run threat” to the U.S. [00:36:00]. He believes bifurcating the Russia-China relationship is the most effective step to deter China from invading Taiwan [00:36:22].
Taiwan and Semiconductor Independence
Ramaswamy states he would defend Taiwan, at least “until the U.S. has achieved semiconductor Independence” [00:37:18]. He argues that the U.S. depends on Taiwanese chips for its modern way of life, unlike Ukraine [00:37:24]. This pragmatic, “cutthroat” approach to foreign policy prioritizes American interests over an equal defense of all democracies [00:38:00].
Military Spending and Purpose
Ramaswamy is skeptical of the National Security Establishment and believes the U.S. military has “lost its sense of purpose” [01:30:18]. He defines the military’s purpose as securing Americans on American soil, winning wars when necessary, and, more importantly, deterring them [01:31:05]. He sees complaints about “wokeness in the military” as symptoms of this deeper loss of purpose within the institution [01:31:17].
He emphasizes that the discussion around defense spending and technological advancements should not be about “higher or lower” budgets, but about “what are we doing” [01:31:37]. He believes deputizing the military to fight wars that serve as “deflection tactics often for our own ailments at home” is a mistake [01:31:50].
Division within the Republican Party
David Sacks highlighted a “fundamental divide” within the Republican Party regarding UkraineRussia conflict and US foreign policy [01:35:05]. While the party’s base increasingly opposes U.S. involvement in Ukraine, viewing it as a lower priority than domestic issues like homelessness, drug addiction, and crime, figures like Mitch McConnell, Mike Pence, and Lindsey Graham prioritize Ukraine aid [01:33:05]. Ramaswamy suggests this is because many in the party’s establishment have adopted the Biden administration’s position, rooted in a “muscle memory” of deterring the USSR, without recognizing that the USSR no longer exists [01:35:54].
Conclusion
Ramaswamy’s US foreign policy and its international impact philosophy centers on prioritizing domestic strength and national identity over external conflicts [01:31:17]. He advocates for a pragmatic, America-First approach, where foreign policy decisions are driven by clear U.S. interests and designed to address internal societal voids rather than distract from them [00:40:48].