December 01, 2022
Leading From the House on Foreign Affairs
On the week of a leadership change in the House Democratic Caucus, much has been written about Speaker Nancy Pelosi's and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's legislative prowess and decades-long impact on U.S. politics. Experts and fellow leaders have extolled their ability to understand members' needs; count votes; persuade and cajole members; and cultivate the party's core infrastructure.
Democrats' new leaders will be well positioned to build on this legacy and continue the Democratic tradition of muscular internationalism.
While these kudos are amply due, far less attention has been paid recently to Pelosi's and, particularly, to Hoyer's international achievements and what they mean for democracy activists around the world. Pelosi and Hoyer are, at their core, premier Democratic internationalists who believe in the power of Congress to wage battle against dictators and to act in support of global democracy.
The two traveled the world to meet with dissidents, transatlantic allies, and like-minded democratic leaders who could help push back against autocracy wherever it was emerging or entrenched. They wielded Congress's moral bully pulpit—persuading and, where necessary, castigating adversaries; comforting concerned allies and activists; and giving hope that the United States remains a democratic beacon, especially during the tumultuous Trump years. Democrats' new leaders will be well positioned to build on this legacy and continue the Democratic tradition of muscular internationalism.
Read the full story and more from Newsweek.
More from CNAS
-
Hit It with Your Best Shot
Reports
Executive Summary America needs an economic pressure doctrine. The country is using economic pressure in more novel ways and at greater scale than any other time in the postwa...
By Emily Kilcrease
-
CNAS Insights | A Year After Liberation Day, Can Trump’s Trade Wars Be Salvaged?
Commentary
As the trade wars have played out over the last year, the Trump administration has fumbled its opportunity....
By Emily Kilcrease & Geoffrey Gertz
-
Why Is There No Trade Jail? With Ambassador María Pagán.
Podcast
María Pagán joins Emily and Geoff for a wide-ranging discussion on the past, present, and future of U.S. trade law and policy. They assess what’s working (and what’s not) at t...
By Emily Kilcrease & Geoffrey Gertz
-
Video
Middle East Security / Energy, Economics & Security
Oil Prices Continue to Underprice OutageAs the Iran war continues into its 4th week, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has heightened pressure on the US and major energy importers. Iran has threatened to...
By Rachel Ziemba
