1.) What will be the administration's policy towards Saudi Arabia?
The Administration recognizes the value of our past bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia. However, we are unwilling to undertake further agreements or allow additional armament procurement without clear, decisive action from the Kingdom on human rights and democratic reform. Satisfying these preconditions is crucial to future cooperation.
2.) What do you think is the biggest challenge that the coronavirus poses to Atlasia's foreign policy?
I think the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant threat to multilateral negotiations and international cooperation. Many nations lack the capacity to quickly vaccinate their own citizens against the virus. There's definitely a risk for unequal distribution of COVID-19 inoculations as they become available. This could damage our ability to negotiate relationships abroad if we do not act to reduce the disparity. I hope that the Congress will act to make spare doses of existing vaccines available for foreign aid shipments abroad as soon as possible.
3.) Where does climate change sit within the foreign policy agenda, what new policies will the administration be introducing and how will you try and make sure it's included in more of our foreign policy?
Climate change presents an existential threat to human life on this planet and as such, it is a top priority for this Administration's foreign policy. We greatly appreciate past international agreements negotiated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but more work is needed. We believe that the most effective way to address climate change is through multilateral, reciprocal negotiations. In our diplomatic agreements, we will aim to help developing countries achieve economic and social progress without increasing carbon emissions. We can use our technological advantage to help developing nations implement renewable energy quickly and effectively. Using multilateral and bilateral agreements, we will work to export solar and wind technologies to developing nations. This will help these countries supplant fossil fuel as their primary energy source.
Carbon emissions can also be reduced through changes to global supply chains. We will work with our allies and the international community to innovate new strategies that will reduce carbon emissions in the most intensive industries; for example, widespread implementation of low carbon techniques in the production of concrete could shrink global carbon emissions substantially. By reducing C02 emissions at this point in the supply chain, we can effectively reduce overall emissions.
Additionally, it may be more economically feasible to implement these technologies with the support of the international community. I believe we should work to create a global climate change bank, one that will allow developing nations to receive grants or ultra-low interest loans for green energy production. Every coal or gas powered facility that is replaced by renewables will bring the global community closer to net zero carbon emissions.
Finally, a new climate summit will be necessary to implement substantial and binding reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. A new international compact will increase the drop in global carbon emissions. This administration is willing to negotiate technology sharing as a part of a new climate summit and will aim to make carbon reducing technology fully available to the global community.
4.) What efforts will the administration be taking to protect and support women's rights and LGBT rights across the world?
Women's rights are human rights; Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual rights are human rights; Trans rights are human rights. This Administration will make these principles a top priority in all bilateral and multilateral agreements. In a global sense, we can promote these rights through international agreements and additional UN resolutions.
However, we recognize that these agreements do not go far enough; therefore, women's and LGBT rights will be a critical component of any agreement negotiated with our allies and our partners in the global community. Certain agreements, such as armament procurement, defense agreements, entry into NATO, and foreign aid shipments, will include important provisions on the advancement of women's rights and LGBT rights. Further aid will be directly tied to progress on these cornerstone rights. By forging political consensus, we can work to influence public perception around the world.
5.) More generally how active do you hope to be as Secretary of State and do you have any plans to change or improve how the office works?
I will take an active role in the conduct of this Administration's foreign policy. I think we can act quickly to address a wide array of foreign policy issues facing our Republic. In terms of how the office itself works, I plan to embrace more open and frequent communication with the people of Atlasia. Foreign policy can often appear to be quite complicated; I hope to be as direct as possible in press releases and discussions with the Congress and the President.