Republican Majority Could Bear Heavily on Foreign Policy

The new balance of power in the U.S. Congress could have a significant impact on international issues now that the House of Representatives has a Republican majority and Senate Democrats have lost several seats.

President Barack Obama has said he would like to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan by the middle of next year, if conditions on the ground allow. Analysts say more Republicans in Congress could lead to greater support for the Afghan war in the short term. It could also create conflict if Democrats press for the beginning of a withdrawal next year.

The Republican agenda also includes a pledge to remain tough on terrorism and press for a more comprehensive missile defense system. Republican gains in the House and Senate could also lend weight to critics’ charges that the president has not been tough enough on Iran and its potential development of a nuclear weapon.

The Republican gains also may allow conservatives to press Mr. Obama to be more assertive on disagreements with Russia and China. They could complicate efforts to ratify a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia. The previous START treaty expired in December. Critics say ratification of a new treaty would weaken U.S. defenses, a notion Mr. Obama and Senate Democrats reject.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton downplayed the prospects of Tuesday’s election triggering a foreign policy shift. Speaking on a visit to Papua New Guinea Wednesday, she said domestic politics stop at the nation’s borders when officials make foreign policy considerations.

Clinton said the Obama administration can build coalitions and find allies in the new Republican-controlled House on issues that are in America’s interests. She noted her experience in forming such coalitions as someone who served in the Senate for several years.

Clinton also promised to “work very hard” to get to know the new members of Congress and its new leadership and to “work with them.”

Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.