Haley says enemies can be stopped without ‘blank checks’ or ‘American soldiers on the battlefield’

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley claimed the U.S. can stop Russia, China, and Iran, which she dubbed an “evil alliance,” without putting “American soldiers on the battlefield” or writing “blank checks.” But the 2024 Republican presidential candidate offered few specifics as to how that would be accomplished.

In an op-ed for the New York Post, Haley said the U.S. can “of course” stop Iran’s “proxy war” against Israel, Russia’s aim to conquer Eastern Europe, and China’s plan to “control the Pacific.”

BIDEN SHIFTS FOCUS AWAY FROM DOMESTIC AFFAIRS AS ISRAEL WAR INTENSIFIES

“And we can do it without going to war,” she wrote.

The former South Carolina governor criticized President Joe Biden for not being quick enough to assist Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. According to Haley, “We could give Ukraine the weapons to beat Russia tomorrow,” if America has “the will.”

However, she kept it much more vague when it came to stopping Iran and China, as she said the U.S. can. Haley offered that the country should stand with Israel in order to stop Iran, without expanding on what that entails, other than public support. As for China, she claimed the U.S. could keep allies Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Australia safe from the country but didn’t provide suggestions to ensure that.

She does add that the country must “rebuild the kind of strength” that the stated enemies wouldn’t be able to match. She continued, claiming, “We can overcome any threat through the power of our free economy and the pride of our people.” While she doesn’t explicitly say sanctions on Iran should be reimposed, she hits Biden for easing them on the country.

Haley’s campaign did not provide a comment to the Washington Examiner.

“We can do it without putting American soldiers on the battlefield,” she reiterated. “We can do it without writing blank checks.”

Her emphasis on avoiding war and unfettered aid for these allies in need of help comes as Republicans grow increasingly skeptical of assistance to Ukraine. Haley, specifically, continues to face accusations of being eager to go to war. Critics have pointed to her “hawkish” foreign policy positions, including involvement in global conflicts. Haley has stated her belief that certain actions from countries such as Iran warrant a response, while opposing pundits believe the U.S. has no role.

While Republican support for additional aid to Ukraine has declined, new polls gauging attitudes regarding Israel’s war against Iran-backed Hamas revealed overwhelming support for Israel in general and for assistance to the country.

Haley has made her policy proposals toward China the center point of her 2024 campaign thus far, an issue that appears to resonate with voters as she climbs in primary polls. When it comes to China, 81% said the country should do more to prepare for China’s military threat, and nearly half also said the U.S. needs to aid Taiwan by providing military equipment to ward off an attack from China, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.

As she ramps up her push for a tough policy toward Russia, Iran, and China, her fellow 2024 candidate, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and his campaign and super PAC operations are at the same time escalating their attacks on her. In a new video Wednesday, Never Back Down targeted Haley, accusing her of reversing her opinion when it comes to accepting refugees.

The super PAC features an old clip from Haley’s U.N. ambassador confirmation hearing, when she said, “As Governor of South Carolina, we always welcomed the refugee program. We always welcomed the refugee program.” The clip was cut alongside an appearance on Fox News Tuesday, when she said, “There is no reason for any refugees to come to America, and you know my record’s very clear on that.”

However, the clip from 2017, in its full context, is from an answer Haley gave explaining her rationale for asking the State Department not to settle Syrian refugees in South Carolina because they could not be properly vetted.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

In the extended clip, Haley describes souring on the refugee program in South Carolina when former FBI Director James Comey told her he did not have the information to properly vet the individuals who would be resettled. “That’s when I said we can’t take refugees from Syria until I know that I can protect the people of South Carolina,” she recalled at the time.

The issue of taking Palestinian refugees from Gaza has come up on the campaign trail as the war with Israel escalates and civilian casualties increase. DeSantis decisively stated his opposition to refugees this week, and his campaign pressured opponents into revealing their own stances.