Palmetto State News

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on American diplomacy and global leadership, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the Biden administration’s foreign policy decisions. Senator Scott raised concerns over the withholding of critical munitions from Israel, granting sanctions waivers to Iran, and what he described as an overall posture of weakness toward America's adversaries.

“One of the challenges I see around the world right now is it seems like the world is on fire, in part because of our administration – the Biden administration,” stated Senator Scott. He pointed to various international issues including China’s stance towards Taiwan, Russia's western ambitions, and Iran’s actions against Israel. “You think about the fact that, in the Sahel, terrorism seems to be spreading faster than ever before. And to me it just seems very clear that, without question, the weakness of this administration emboldens our adversaries.”

Senator Scott expressed particular concern over delays in selling JDAM guidance kits to Israel. “If we’re concerned about saving innocent lives, it seems like to me we would provide the resources that make ‘dumb bombs’ smart [with] the precision technology that has been held up.” He added, “When you show weakness anywhere, it affects strength everywhere... From my perspective most of the world really respects strength, and that’s about all they respect.”

In his role as Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee—which oversees economic sanctions—Senator Scott has been vocal in opposing what he views as inadequate enforcement and relief measures regarding sanctions on Iran. He argues these policies have enabled funds for Iranian regime activities targeting U.S. servicemembers and allies.