DOWNLOAD VIDEO

Essential question

How might the outcome of the U.S. presidential election affect other countries?

---

As Election Day draws near, the eyes the world are on the United States and the contentious race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Many nations have a vested interest in the outcome of the U.S. election. The next president will have a major role in international affairs, influencing the global economy and determining the degree to which the U.S. becomes involved in international conflicts such as the civil war in Syria. Trump has said the U.S. should focus on domestic problems and should stay out of clashes between other countries. “He will most likely be an isolationist president, which is never good news for the rest of the world,” said Greek foreign analyst Thanos Dokos. Clinton’s term as Secretary of State gave her four years of experience working with international leaders. She is more likely to intervene in conflicts in regions like the Middle East and satisfy the perception of the U.S. as the world’s policeman, according to Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former NATO Secretary General and a former Danish Prime Minister. “We know from experience that, if the United States retreats, or is perceived to retreat, it will leave behind a vacuum, and that vacuum will be filled by the bad guys,” Rasmussen said.