Campaign Status:
Kansas Senator Sam Brownback has declared his candidacy.
War on Terrorism:
On his Senate website, Brownback focuses on the singular ability of the United States, as the sole superpower, to face a terrorist threat that he sees as new and growing. In his view, this threat is located primarily in the Middle East, Central Asia and the South Caucusus.
Iran is high on the list of culprits creating havoc in the Middle East, in Brownback's view. According to Brownback, Iran was likely to have had nuclear weapons by 2005 (which it did not have; and still does not have).
Also of interest: Iran and Terrorism
War in Iraq
Following visits with Iraqi officials in Baghdad in January 2007, Brownback concluded that neither a troop surge nor, more broadly, a military solution would properly resolved the Iraq war. He urged, instead, a political solution:
Instead of surging troops, we must press the Iraqi government to reach a political solution. We cannot achieve a political solution while a military solution is imposed. The best way to reach a democratic Iraq is to empower the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own nation building.
Brownback pledges on his his official website that he will "find a solution that protects the future of Iraq, and the pride and dignity of its citizens."
Homeland Security
Brownback is a strong advocate of increased border security as an element of national security. He authored the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, which:
- Increased the number of immigration officials;
- Authorized appropriates for INS and border patrol training, facilities and security-related technology;
- Instituted a government agency information sharing plan on aliens;
- Established technology standards and interoperatibility requirements on data system technologies for use at borders;
- Suggested that U.S. entry of nationals from state sponsors of terrorism be prohibited;
- Established strict monitoring of foreign students and other exchange visitors.
