The United States today faces a number of complex challenges in many parts of the world, including Iraq, the Middle East and the emerging global role of China, to name a few. Senator Feinstein believes that how U.S. foreign policy responds to these challenges has a tremendous impact not only on our nation’s future, but on the future of the world.

It is Senator Feinstein’s aim to see the United States be a champion and a leader of democracy, justice, and human rights.  She believes the best way to do this is by example, by listening, and by understanding that America's great strength is not our military prowess but our sense of justice, freedom, and liberty.

Priorities:

• Afghanistan – Support a plan to begin the responsible redeployment of our troops out of Afghanistan this year and ramp up the training of Afghan Security Forces so that they can take the responsibility for security for their country.  Our goal remains to prevent the Taliban from returning to power and allowing al-Qaeda to re-establish a presence which would threaten American lives and our national security interests.  An essential part of this effort is to encourage Pakistan to eliminate safe havens along the Afghan-Pakistan Border and promote economic development.
   
• Middle East – Solving the Israeli-Palestinian crisis should be our top priority in the Middle East. This can only be accomplished, in my view, by a vigorous and high-profile diplomatic engagement on behalf of the Administration.
   
• U.S.-China Relations – There is no more important long-term bilateral relation for the United States than China. The entry of China into the World Trade Organization (WTO), which Senator Feinstein strongly supported, continues to expand opportunities for companies from California to export a wide variety of products to the growing Chinese market. She will continue to strongly advocate for improved Sino-American ties and better understanding between our two nations.
   
• Tibet Policy – Protecting the rich cultural, religious, linguistic, and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people is of my top priorities. Senator Feinstein has long sponsored legislation to encourage U.S. support for the Tibetan people, and to encourage dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government.
   
• Cluster Bombs – Cluster bombs release hundreds of smaller “bomblets” over a wide area.  They are no bigger than a D battery and often resemble a toy.  In some cases, up to 40 percent of these weapons fail to explode and become defacto landmines posing a significant threat to innocent civilians particularly children.  Senator Feinstein sponsored legislation to prohibit the use of these deadly weapons with high failure rates.
   
• Full funding of the International Affairs Budget – Today, more than ever, it is critical that we continue to fund our U.S. International Affairs Budget. U.S. foreign assistance programs offer relief to the millions of victims of poverty, starvation, and illiteracy found throughout the developing world. By giving these communities in need the tools to target these root causes of terrorism, we not only help promote basic humanitarian values, we also help establish greater stability and security abroad, and encourage greater economic prosperity here at home.

Accomplishments:

• Burma Sanctions – Helped to establish U.S. sanctions policy toward Burma, requiring the President to ban new investment by U.S. firms in and placing a ban on all imports from Burma until the ruling military junta takes meaningful actions towards the restoration of a democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
   
• Tibet Policy Act – For the first time, laid out U.S. policy toward Tibet and authorized $2.75 million for humanitarian assistance for the Tibetan people; also codified the position of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the State Department; protected Tibetan culture and heritage; and encouraged dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government.
   
• Cluster Bombs – Sponsored legislation signed into law to prohibit the sale and transfer of cluster bombs with high failure rates and to ensure that they are not used in civilian areas.