US magazine Foreign Policy backs Clinton in landmark move

Foreign Policy, a leading US international affairs magazine, on Sunday endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time, backing Hillary Clinton and slamming Donald Trump as "the worst major-party candidate for the job in US history."

As "we deeply value our relationship with all of our readers, regardless of political orientation... FP's editors are now breaking with tradition to endorse Hillary Clinton for the next president of the United States," they said in an editorial.

"The litany of reasons Trump poses such a threat is so long that it is, in fact, shocking that he is a major party's candidate for the presidency.

US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump participate in a town hall debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 9, 2016 ©Rick Wilking (Pool/AFP)

"The recent furor over his vile behavior with women illustrates the extraordinary nature of his unsuitability, as does his repudiation by so many members of his own party -- who have so many reasons to reflexively support their nominee."

Foreign Police said Trump was unqualified to lead the international community as US president.

The Republican business tycoon "has repeatedly demonstrated his ignorance of the most basic facts of international affairs, let alone the nuances so crucial to the responsibilities of diplomacy inherent in the US president’s daily responsibilities."

The Foreign Policy editors said that Trump had promoted the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- "a tyrant and menace" --and had also welcomed Russian meddling in the current US election.

They blasted Trump for speaking "so cavalierly" about the use of nuclear weapons. "It has become clear he understands little if anything about America's nuclear policies -- not to mention the moral, legal, and human consequences of such actions."

"Indeed, we are not the first to say it, but Trump is the worst major-party candidate this republic has ever produced."

In contrast they called Democrat Clinton a "quality candidate" prepared to lead.