Vice President Kamala Harris has been named one of the most influential women in international security, according to a ranking by security experts.
The Democratic presidential candidate placed first in the rankings for “Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure and Vulnerable Populations,” according to National Security News.
Harris ranked above her political ally, former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, who placed fourth on the list. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was also on the list as a female leader for “Forging diplomatic ties to strengthen collective defense,” alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Harris’ work as an assistant district attorney in Oakland, California, and as state attorney general, where she obtained large settlements against mortgage lenders, have been highlighted as examples of her infrastructure protection and vulnerable communities.
Additionally, support for Ukraine was a key element in determining the ranking: her stance on the country’s conflict with Russia was a deciding factor in Harris’ placement on the list.
National Security News said News week in a statement: “Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has been named the most influential woman working in national security today.
“His relentless diplomacy with allies around the world has preserved a united front in support of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
“Vice President Harris also demonstrated a clear understanding of the reality of America’s military deterrence and pledged to preserve the U.S. military’s status as the world’s deadliest force.”
News week contacted the White House by email for comment.
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As vice president, Harris was involved in several of President Joe Biden’s most important foreign policy and national security decisions. Biden previously said Harris was “the last person in the room” during the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan.
However, foreign policy has been a difficult issue for the Harris campaign to navigate this election due to the war in Gaza. Many Arab American voters, who live in large communities in key states like Michigan, are frustrated with the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict and support for Israel.
Former President Donald Trump repeatedly focused on his own foreign policy record during the election, saying no new wars were started while he was president. He also said Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he had been in the White House.
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