US Election: Kamala Harris’ War Efforts in Ukraine Recognized in List of Female Security Influencers

Kamala Harris has been recognized as the most influential woman in international security in a prestigious new set of rankings that will burnish her credentials on the world stage, just days before America goes to the polls.

The Democratic nominee for president is ranked first for her work “protecting critical infrastructure and vulnerable populations,” according to a panel of security experts assembled by National security news.

Harris stood above her former political ally Republican Representative Liz Cheneywhich placed fourth on the inaugural list.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was recognized for forging diplomatic bonds to strengthen collective defense, together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The applause will be welcomed by the Harris campaign, which has at times struggled to convince voters that she is the best candidate to represent the US on the world stage.

A recent poll of swing state voters from the Institute for Global Affairs found Trump was the most trusted candidate to take on China, with 58 percent believing he would “respond effectively if China attacks Taiwan,” compared to just 42 percent for the vice president.

When asked who would pursue a foreign policy “that benefits people like you,” 53 percent chose the former president over Harris (47 percent).

About 58 percent believed Trump was more likely to end the war than Harris (41 percent). Ukraine.

However, Harris’ strong support for Volodymyr Zelensky and his country’s fight against Vladimir Putin’s invasion won recognition from security experts.

Sean Rayment, editor of National Security News, told us Newsweek“Her ruthless diplomacy with allies around the world built a united front in support of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.

“Vice President Harris has also demonstrated that she clearly understands the reality of U.S. military deterrence, and has pledged to maintain the U.S. military’s status as the most ‘deadly’ force in the world.”

Harris’ work as a deputy district attorney in Oakland, California, and as the state’s attorney general, where she secured major settlements against mortgage lenders, were highlighted as examples of her protection of infrastructure and vulnerable communities.

Newsweek has contacted the White House via email for comment.

As vice president, Harris has been involved with several presidents Joe Biden‘s most important decisions in foreign policy and national security. Biden previously said Harris was “the last person in the room” during the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan.

Israel’s war with Hamas has made foreign policy a difficult issue for the Harris campaign in this election. A lot of Arab-American voters, who have large communities in swing states like Michigan are frustrated by the Biden administration’s continued support for Israel.

Former President Donald Trump has focused on his own foreign policy record during the election, arguing that no new wars have been started during his presidency. He also claimed that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he had been in the White House.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza have been the defining foreign policy issues of the election.

The Biden administration has also warned that Russian interference in the US election could lead to it an increase in misinformation in the run-up to election day.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Russian state media network RT had spent nearly $10 million to “finance and direct a Tennessee-based company to publish and distribute content deemed favorable to the Russian government.”

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