ALPENA - While U.S. Sen. Gary Peters' visit to Alpena this week focused on the Great Lakes, he also took time to share his concerns with foreign policy after a recent bi-partisan trip to Eastern Europe.
Peters said it is evident Russia's increased military presence throughout that region has the countries concerned. He used as an example Russia's increased submarine activity around Iceland - one of the countries he visited. Peters cited the U.S. Navy's reopening of the Cold War air base in Keflavik, Iceland, which closed in 2006, as how the United States is shoring up its commitments.
Peters also reiterated how the illegal annexation of Crimea would not be recognized by the U.S. He was pleased with the resolve and fighting spirit of the Ukrainian National Guard in defending its national sovereignty against the Russians.
Currently the U.S. provides non-lethal aid to Ukraine to aid in its defense against Russian advances. Peters said the U.S. should consider introducing weapon systems such as the anti-tank Javelin to allow the Ukrainians to better defend themselves if another Russian assault commences.
"The fact that you have Russians in Georgia, in Crimea, or actively fighting in eastern Ukraine should be a big wake up call for everybody," Peters said. "This is real, this is not hypothetical. We have to be strong against the Russians."
Several Eastern European nations also were said to be very concerned about recent presidential campaign rhetoric towards NATO, Russia, and U.S. allies in the region. Peters said the bipartisan and bicameral delegation spoke to how the U.S. Congress will stand with the Ukrainian people regardless of the presidential election outcome.
Peters also addressed the Iranian Nuclear Deal, saying it has in the short term been positive for the U.S. He cited the fact that Iran had to remove all its enriched uranium from the country and fill a reactor with cement as positive actions aimed to prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.
"I do think that we have to be very vigilant because I do not trust the Iranians and I am concerned about where they may be," Peters said.
Recently Peters led 14 of his colleagues in sending a letter to the Obama administration urging them to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency to encourage even greater transparency when reporting on Iran's nuclear program.
Interestingly, everywhere he went in Europe people asked about the upcoming presidential election. Peters said that Americans - and even the different foreign nationals he spoke with - are looking for someone with the right qualifications for the job.
"They are looking for someone who has the temperament, the experience, the knowledge, and the understanding of what is very complex international relations," Peters said.
He said the ultimate decision will come down to some very basic questions.
"You are going to have to figure out who is on your side, who will stand up for regular everyday families, and who will protect them and make sure they and their families have opportunities," he said.