Ernst opposed the Iran deal negotiated by the Obama administration.

Of the Iraq War and weapons of mass destruction, she said, "We don't know that there were weapons on the ground when we went in.
However, I do have reason to believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
That was the intelligence that was operated on.
I have reason to believe there was weapons of mass destruction.
My husband served in Saudi Arabia as an Army Central Command sergeant major for a year and that's a hot-button topic in that area."
After criticism from Iowa Democrats and some commentators, Ernst then issued a statement that she had not meant to suggest that Iraq had WMD at the time of invasion, but rather that Iraq had used WMDs in the past, and that her point was that "we don't know exactly what happened to those weapons."

When asked whether she supports the limited airstrikes conducted in Iraq in August 2014, Ernst said, "What I can say is what I would have supported is leaving additional troops in Iraq longer and perhaps we wouldn't have this situation today."

In February 2016, Ernst criticized the Obama administration's ISIS strategy as ineffective.

In an interview with Time Magazine, Ernst said that she was sexually harassed in the military, saying, "I had comments, passes, things like that" which she was able to stop, and said she will support removing sexual assault cases from the chain of command.

On February 16, 2017, Ernst condemned Russia's behavior as "totally unacceptable" and said Trump should lead the US to "show strength against Vladimir Putin".
In July 2018, Ernst said that she would proceed with caution if the US collaborated with Russia to form "a way we can partner and put a lid on Iran" and that she did not believe "Russia would ever be a true friend or ally to the United States of America."
She cited North Korea as an example of a country where the US should cautiously work with leadership to develop "a resolution where the world becomes a safer place" if possible.
Following the 2018 Russia-United States summit later that month, Ernst stated her hope that Trump "delivered a strong message behind closed doors that Russia will continue to be punished for their illegal annexation of Ukraine in 2014, their abhorrent support for the murderous Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and their aggressive actions in U.S. domestic policy", adding that she was hopeful Trump had talked with Putin about the role of Russia in the Balkans amid Kosovo's continued threats by the hybrid warfare tactics of Russia in Serbia.

In April 2018, after the missile strikes against Syria by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, Ernst said that she was "uncomfortable going forward" in the event that Trump wanted to commit more American troops there, saying the US's "effort to fight against ISIS in the region" was the important thing.
In December, after Trump announced the withdrawal of American troops in Syria, Ernst was one of six senators to sign a letter expressing concern about the move and their belief "that such action at this time is a premature and costly mistake that not only threatens the safety and security of the United States, but also emboldens ISIS, Bashar al Assad, Iran, and Russia."

In June 2018, Ernst stated her disagreement with Trump's decision to suspend joint military exercises with South Korea and asked why they were suspended given their legality.
In July, Ernst advocated that the United States continue military exercises in South Korea in the event that talks between the US and North Korea did not continue.

In March 2018, Ernst voted to table a resolution spearheaded by Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, and Mike Lee that would have required Trump to withdraw American troops either in or influencing Yemen within the next 30 days unless they were combating Al-Qaeda.
In November 2018, following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Ernst stated that Saudi Arabia was "great strategic partner" but that Congress should consider a legislative response due to the commitment of the United States to human rights a
Ernst opposed the Iran deal negotiated by the Obama administration.
Of the Iraq War and weapons of mass destruction, she said, "We don't know that there were weapons on the ground when we went in. However, I do have reason to believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That was the intelligence that was operated on. I have reason to believe there was weapons of mass destruction. My husband served in Saudi Arabia as an Army Central Command sergeant major for a year and that's a hot-button topic in that area." After criticism from Iowa Democrats and some commentators, Ernst then issued a statement that she had not meant to suggest that Iraq had WMD at the time of invasion, but rather that Iraq had used WMDs in the past, and that her point was that "we don't know exactly what happened to those weapons."
When asked whether she supports the limited airstrikes conducted in Iraq in August 2014, Ernst said, "What I can say is what I would have supported is leaving additional troops in Iraq longer and perhaps we wouldn't have this situation today."
In February 2016, Ernst criticized the Obama administration's ISIS strategy as ineffective.
In an interview with Time Magazine, Ernst said that she was sexually harassed in the military, saying, "I had comments, passes, things like that" which she was able to stop, and said she will support removing sexual assault cases from the chain of command.
On February 16, 2017, Ernst condemned Russia's behavior as "totally unacceptable" and said Trump should lead the US to "show strength against Vladimir Putin". In July 2018, Ernst said that she would proceed with caution if the US collaborated with Russia to form "a way we can partner and put a lid on Iran" and that she did not believe "Russia would ever be a true friend or ally to the United States of America." She cited North Korea as an example of a country where the US should cautiously work with leadership to develop "a resolution where the world becomes a safer place" if possible. Following the 2018 Russia-United States summit later that month, Ernst stated her hope that Trump "delivered a strong message behind closed doors that Russia will continue to be punished for their illegal annexation of Ukraine in 2014, their abhorrent support for the murderous Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and their aggressive actions in U.S. domestic policy", adding that she was hopeful Trump had talked with Putin about the role of Russia in the Balkans amid Kosovo's continued threats by the hybrid warfare tactics of Russia in Serbia.
In April 2018, after the missile strikes against Syria by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, Ernst said that she was "uncomfortable going forward" in the event that Trump wanted to commit more American troops there, saying the US's "effort to fight against ISIS in the region" was the important thing. In December, after Trump announced the withdrawal of American troops in Syria, Ernst was one of six senators to sign a letter expressing concern about the move and their belief "that such action at this time is a premature and costly mistake that not only threatens the safety and security of the United States, but also emboldens ISIS, Bashar al Assad, Iran, and Russia."
In June 2018, Ernst stated her disagreement with Trump's decision to suspend joint military exercises with South Korea and asked why they were suspended given their legality. In July, Ernst advocated that the United States continue military exercises in South Korea in the event that talks between the US and North Korea did not continue.
In March 2018, Ernst voted to table a resolution spearheaded by Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, and Mike Lee that would have required Trump to withdraw American troops either in or influencing Yemen within the next 30 days unless they were combating Al-Qaeda. In November 2018, following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Ernst stated that Saudi Arabia was "great strategic partner" but that Congress should consider a legislative response due to the commitment of the United States to human rights a
Joni Ernst