Foreign affairs
Carson believes that "American efforts to capture and kill al Qaeda terrorists have greatly diminished" because of the Iraq War. During the War in Afghanistan, Carson often stated his belief that al Qaeda and the Taliban posed the most imminent threat to the United States. Accordingly, he pushed for a reduction of troops in Iraq to cover the needs of the War in Afghanistan.
On July 24, 2008, Carson voted to pass the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5501) which provided aid to developing countries fighting high rates of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. He successfully amended the bill to create "a transatlantic, technological medium of exchange that allows African scientists and American medical professionals to collaborate on the best methods for treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS on the African continent."
Carson is opposed to Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory — which are considered illegal under international human rights law and Article 49 of the Geneva Convention — calling them "illegitimate and a major barrier to peace". In July 2019, Carson voted against a House resolution condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. In August 2021, he wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to call for an investigation into American charities supporting Israeli settlements.
In September 2021, Carson was one of nine House members to vote against funding Israel's Iron Dome missile defense program.
In 2021, he stated in an interview with Haaretz, "I will always speak out in defense of the Jewish community but will also unapologetically speak out for my Palestinian brothers."
In 2022, Carson introduced the Justice For Shireen Act, in response to the killing of American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh by the IDF. That same year, he criticized the Israeli criminalization of human rights organizations, stating on Twitter, "I am upset by the latest attacks by the Israeli army on Palestinian human rights groups. Silencing human rights defenders is an attempt to avoid accountability. I reiterate calls from myself and my colleagues that the Biden administration immediately condemn this repression."
On July 18, 2023, he, along with eight other Progressive Democrats (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, and Rashida Tlaib), voted against a congressional non-binding resolution proposed by August Pfluger which states that “the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state", that Congress rejects "all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia" and that “the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel."
On October 25, 2023, Carson and eight other progressive Democrats (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Al Green, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar, Delia Ramirez, and Rashida Tlaib), along with Republican Thomas Massie, voted against congressional bi-partisan non-binding resolution H. Res. 771 supporting Israel in the wake of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The resolution stated that the House of Representatives: "stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists" and "reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security"; the resolution passed by an overwhelming 412-10-6 margin.
Carson introduced a bill in March 2025 to restore funding to UNRWA that had been previously cut.
In 2023, Carson was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.
