Overview

• At a June 13 Center for American Progress event, Walz said the United States is not seen as a neutral actor and proposed China as the only country with moral authority to negotiate peace between Israel and Iran.
• His comments came after Israel’s air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities killed at least 20 senior military officials and six scientists, raising fears of Iranian retaliation and wider regional escalation.
• Prominent Republicans such as Sen. Tom Cotton and former intelligence director Richard Grenell have attacked Walz’s stance and the House Oversight Committee is investigating his connections to China‐linked organizations.
• Walz’s affinity for China dates back to his 1991 teaching career when he praised its communist system and includes multiple official visits during which he lauded government‐provided housing and social programs.
• The debate over assigning China a peacemaking role has intensified concerns about Beijing’s human rights abuses, especially against Uyghur Muslims and other minority groups.