The 2004 presidential campaign and election took place against the backdrop of several significant international events, including:
War in Iraq: The United States led a coalition of countries in a war against Iraq that began in 2003 and continued throughout the 2004 presidential campaign. The war was a major issue in the campaign, with President George W. Bush, who was seeking reelection, defending his decision to go to war, while Democratic nominee John Kerry criticized the administration's handling of the war effort.
Global terrorism: The threat of global terrorism was a major concern in the 2004 campaign, especially following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The Bush administration emphasized its efforts to combat terrorism, while Kerry accused the administration of neglecting other key foreign policy priorities in favor of the "war on terror."
European Union expansion: In May 2004, several new countries joined the European Union, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia. This expansion was seen as a significant step toward the integration of Europe and had implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Israel-Palestine conflict: The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians continued throughout the 2004 campaign, with both candidates offering their views on how to resolve the conflict. President Bush emphasized his support for Israel, while John Kerry called for a more even-handed approach to the issue.
Tsunami in Southeast Asia: In December 2004, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck several countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. The disaster dominated international headlines and prompted a significant humanitarian response from the United States and other countries.