SUMMARY

It is among the most consequential decisions presidents can make, when to go to war and how to support America’s partners in their wars. As part of our series looking at the candidates’ policies, Nick Schifrin explores Kamala Harris' and Donald Trump's positions on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the promises they’ve made on what they would do if elected president.

View the transcript here.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who are the individuals and groups featured in this story?
2. What are some differences in policy statements between the candidates around Palestine and Israel?
3. How would each candidate seek an end to the conflict in Gaza, according to their statements?
4. Why does Harris reject Trump's proposals for ending war in Ukraine?
5. How do Harris and Trump differ over maintaining NATO?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. This segment ends with correspondent Nick Schifrin stating that, "The entire world is watching this election, knowing what's at stake." Why do you think U.S. elections are so consequential for the rest of the world?
2. How do you think U.S. citizens can best have their voices heard on matters of foreign policy?

Media literacy:

A. Who is Nick Schifrin? How could you find out more about him?

B. Why do you think this segment focused so heavily on the war in Gaza and Ukraine?

C. Activity: There are too many foreign policy issues to put into one video story, which is often the challenge of broadcast segments. What other foreign policy concerns would you have liked addressed in the piece, if you were the producer? (i.e. bombings in Lebanon which have killed thousands of civilians, the Harris campaign's refusal to have a Muslim speaker at the Democratic National Convention, Trump's comments about reinstating the travel ban for Muslims from his first administration and criticism from the public of the war in Ukraine.)

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do:

A. Watch these Election 2024 TikTok videos produced by News Hour interns over the summer on key issues, including foreign affairs, health care and the climate crisis.

B. Choose one of the following topics below to learn more about policy differences between the candidates. Then record the following:

1. Why did you choose the topic you chose?
2. What is one significant difference between the candidates on the topic you chose?
3. Regarding the topic you chose, what do you think the country will look like under each candidate after four years of a presidency?

Then gather as a class and discuss — what topics and policies stood out to the most students in class?

Where Harris and Trump stand on climate change policies

Where Harris and Trump stand on abortion access and reproductive rights

Comparing Trump’s and Harris’ positions on immigration and border security

Comparing Trump’s and Harris’ differing ideas on how to boost the economy

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