William V Theobald

IndyStar

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, who personifies the measured approach to U.S. foreign policy, on Tuesday offered his first comprehensive critique of President Donald Trump’s forays into world affairs.

It wasn’t pretty.

The Indiana Republican, during a lecture hosted by the Foreign Policy Association, called Trump’s foreign policy goals “simplistic, prosaic and reactive," according to prepared remarks.

They are characteristic of “a selfish, inward-looking nation that is being motivated by fear, not a great superpower with capacity to shape global affairs.”

Lugar, who represented Indiana in the Senate for 36 years, was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a leading proponent of an active role for the U.S. in foreign affairs.

Conversely, Trump’s campaign was based on his pledge to put “America first” in all aspects of his administration, including foreign affairs. He questioned the U.S. role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and had rocky early conversations with the leaders of longtime allies.

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Lugar said U.S. leadership has been key to global stability since World War II and said the rejection of that role by Trump and some of his aides would have dangerous results.

“It is my contention today that if a strong and comprehensive American leadership is withdrawn from the global stage, broader efforts at conflict prevention will fail,” he said. “The people of the United States and most countries of the world will become poorer and will have to endure more frequent conflict.”

He criticized Trump’s proposal to build a wall along the southern border and to make large cuts to the budget of the State Department.

Trump’s decision to attack Syria with cruise missiles was a complete reversal of his position against military involvement during the campaign, Lugar points out. He cautions against relying too much on military force to achieve foreign policy goals.

“We cannot bomb our way to security,” Lugar said.

Lugar said U.S. involvement in world affairs is a “heroic tradition.”

“But it has to be maintained, “ Lugar concluded. “Once it is gone, it is very difficult to retrieve. Other power structures will occupy the void, and many of them are not sympathetic to American values and interests.”

Some Hoosier lawmakers urge congressional review of further action against Syria