This section deals with overall foreign policy positions. General principles and major concerns are outlined and, to a large extent, this is dictated by the issues on which each candidate has chosen to focus or about which they have spoken out. Readers might find additional information in the “War on Terror” & Iraq, National Security, and Trade & Globalization sections.
Words: McCain advocates overthrowing “rogue governments” and “assertive multilateralism”. He believes in engaging with China, urging political reform, but no diplomatic or trade relations with Cuba. He feels it is naïve to exclude nuclear weapons as a tool of diplomacy (more…)
Words: Obama feels NATO needs to be strengthened, that China is a competitor not an enemy, and that US policy should promote democracy and human rights. He also advocates African development and support for Israel. “We shouldn’t have strategic ambiguity (more…)
Words: Romney believes in moving the Muslim world toward “modernity” and encouraging democracy through diplomacy rather than military action. “We must bring together not just America, but all the nations of the civilized world. We help draw these folks toward modernity (more…)
Words: Biden is concerned about reducing our debt to China. He feels that North Korea and Iran are major threats to the US and that Pakistan is potentially the most dangerous country in the world. He also supports intervention in Darfur. (more…)
Words: Clinton feels our economy is undercut by our debt to China. She supports a NATO-enforced no-fly zone in Darfur, but no ground troops. She also believes that human rights should be central to our foreign policy and that enemy leaders should be addressed through diplomacy (more…)
Words: Edwards believes the US should lead an international effort on economic development and that our aid should support open countries. He advocates a no-fly zone in Darfur, strengthening sanctions on Iran, and UN intervention in Iran. (more…)
Words: Giuliani feels that peace can be achieved by sharing the “gifts of freedom” with the Middle East - though he sees democracy as more of a “long-term goal”. He believes that Iran is dangerous and advocates unilateral military action against them. (more…)
Words: Huckabee feels we should support Israel as a strategic ally, but treat Palestinians “respectfully”. He tends to be non-interventionist. “It’s the job of the US to protect our citizens, to make us free and us safe, and to create an enviable kind of government (more…)
Words: Kucinich rejects war as an instrument of foreign policy. He advocates removing China’s Most Favored Nation status using foreign aid for peace initiatives. He opposes global corporatism and feels we should lead the world in sustainable energy production. (more…)
Words: Paul tends to be isolationist and non-interventionist in terms of foreign policy. He feels our values should never be spread by force. “The president ran on a program of a humble foreign policy, no nation-building, and no policing of the world. (more…)
Words: Richardson considers China a strategic competitor and feels the US has strategic interests in Russia. He advocates UN troops in Darfur and a UN-enforced no-fly zone and a re-evaluation of our embargo for post-Castro Cuba. “Foreign policy should not be just about power. (more…)
Words: Thompson mistrusts the UN’s effectiveness and feels that technology is the key to spreading freedom. “We’re not doing nearly enough to get communications in there and let those people communicate with one another. (more…)
