Presidential candidates are rarely judged on their knowledge of foreign policy. They’re often governors or from states where engagement in world affairs is limited to the trade promotion of state products or produce. They’re both salespeople and promoters of their states’ workers, goods and environment, pitching their local and regional corporate interests in global markets.

Given these candidates’ limited global exposure and experience, we instead rely on future presidents to be of strong character — leaders whose judgment we trust, with nimble minds and the ability to learn quickly and think critically. If the past is prologue, then we can expect future elected leaders - whether Democrats, Republicans or Independents - to lack real experience with national security, strategic foreign affairs, and global diplomacy. READ MORE