2012 Presidential Candidates on Foreign Affairs

As the rise of anti-Americanism across the globe shows no signs of abating, especially among the Islamic world. America's foreign policy, diplomacy and general international relations continues to suffer from the numerous aggressive stance it has taken in recent years, most notably on its unilateral war on terror and its rejection of the Kyoto Protocol.

There has been a growing consensus that the underlying problem with the United States foreign policy lies primarily with it's short-term outlook, resulting in a lack of cohesive long-term strategy. Until this is addressed and resolved, the short-term outlook remains very much the same. A radical, yet consultative and bipartisan approach is required here, and it will be interesting to hear the thoughts of the candidates on the matter as the race starts to gather pace.

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2012 Presidential Candidates on Twitter

Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Former Chair of the Libertarian Party of Texas

Roger Gary

Gary Position on Foreign Affairs

Gary feels that national defense is the answer rather than increased international offense. “American government aid has brought us violent dictators such as Saddam Hussein and oppressive theocratic governments such as the Taliban. Roger Gary believes that by using American forces in Libya we run a much greater risk of terrorism. Additionally, he understands that the cost of American lives intervening in a fight that is not ours is too great of a risk to take.” Campaign Website

On May 3, 2011, Gary stated in a press release that he was “satisfied” with the death of Osama bin Laden days before. He then stated that, however, the actions of an individual do not justify his killing. “We will never have peace, we will never have Liberty, until the notion that evil methods are ever justified has been repudiated by individuals, groups, and governments alike.”

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Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Former Speaker of the House

Newt Gingrich

Gingrich Position on Foreign Affairs

• Gingrich believes that we should lead the way to a Third Wave Information Age and expand the use of statecraft.

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Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
3-Tour Combat Vet, Philosopher and Law Student

RJ Harris

Harris Position on Foreign Affairs

Peace through strength in International Waters and at home; free trade, honest friendship and the cessation of entangling alliances abroad. Empower privateers to serve abroad through Letters of Marque and in accordance with the Law of Nations.

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Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Former Governor of New Mexico

Gary Johnson

Johnson Position on Foreign Affairs

Johnson, while maintaining the need to constantly improve our national defense, rejects the idea of our troops continued presence in Europe, Iraq, Afghanistan and now Libya. The undefined and shifting objective of our international military presence, coupled with the enormous expenditure that our creaking economy is saddled with, is a stark reminder of the need to reevaluate our foreign and domestic security policy in the face of our outrageous budget deficit.

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Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Political Consultant & Gay Rights Activist

Fred Karger

Karger Position on Foreign Affairs

Karger feels that Obama’s ‘tentative and cautious’ nature is hindering the development of our foreign policy. However, while he is critical of Obama’s handling of Afghanistan and Egypt, he is in agreement with Obama’s management of the Libya situation.

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Declared 2012 Democratic Presidential Candidate
Current President of the United States

Barack Obama

Obama Position on Foreign Affairs

• Obama speaks about providing a visionary leadership and the need to renew the US global leadership position through proper foreign policy, a renewed military along with a need to confront the proliferation of the nuclear arsenal. The question of nuclear proliferation is "the most urgent threat to the security of America and the world."

• "This century's threats are at least as dangerous as and in some ways more complex than those we have confronted in the past. They come from weapons that can kill on a mass scale and from global terrorists who respond to alienation or perceived injustice with murderous nihilism. They come from rogue states allied to terrorists and from rising powers that could challenge both America and the international foundation of liberal democracy. They come from weak states that cannot control their territory or provide for their people. And they come from a warming planet that will spur new diseases, spawn more devastating natural disasters, and catalyze deadly conflicts."

• "After Iraq, we may be tempted to turn inward. That would be a mistake. The American moment is not over, but it must be seized anew. We must bring the war to a responsible end and then renew our leadership -- military, diplomatic, moral -- to confront new threats and capitalize on new opportunities. America cannot meet this century's challenges alone; the world cannot meet them without America."

• Barack Obama's most important foreign policy is with respect to the question of Iraq. Obama envisages a regional conference involving Iran and Syria as part of the strategy to find an ultimate solution to the Iraq question.

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Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
New York attorney and founder of the Paralegal Institute

Carl Person

Person Position on Foreign Affairs

Carl Person supports bringing the troops home, and says that he is anti-war. He claims that removing troops from foreign soil will pay down debt and reduce taxes by allowing soldiers to work at home.

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Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Former Governor of Massachusetts

Mitt Romney

Romney Position on Foreign Affairs

• The foreign policy outlined by Mitt Romney charts down two main issues in the forefront which will strengthen the United States position as an economic and military super power. One pertains to 'defeating the Jihadists' and the other relates to 'competing with Asia'.

• Romney feels that since the Asian economies are rapidly expanding, the United States need to shed its protectionist approach in the matters of its economy. It will need to open up its market even further. This can be done through reducing the tariffs, bringing down the corporate taxes and by employing a competitive advantage in the market.

• To make the United States a more competitive economy, Romney wants looser laws of immigration so that the economy can take advantage of highly skilled workers. The policy is specific to the highly skilled workers and is clear from its insistence to keep the low-skilled workers who migrate illegally from the South.

• Romney believes that a three pronged approach would take care of the Jihadists. The first aspect would be the employment of military options and pressure. The second approach would be diplomacy which would involve the regional and international players. The third approach would exhort the Muslims to reject extremism. In those nations where the Al Qaeda is developing its roots, such as Bali and Pakistan, the United States should send its forces in order to work in synergy with the local population to contain the terrorists.

• Romney believes that Iran offers a serious challenge to America and that the US has to assure that Iran does not develop a nuclear arsenal. Romney believes economic sanctions and similar strategies would work. The military option may also be left open.

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Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Former US Senator from Pennsylvania

Rick Santorum

Santorum Position on Foreign Affairs

Santorum contends that President Obama’s apology for decisions made under former President Bush weakens the country’s position in the world. He also criticized the administrations ‘ill-defined’ foreign policy, citing as an example, the three different approaches taken in responding to protestors in Iran, Egypt and Libya.

Santorum also questions the administration’s grasp on the minutiae of the fundamentalist sharia movement, likening it to ideological threats from our past such as Marxism. He argues further that American intervention in any foreign conflict should be solely limited to matters which have a direct impact to the country.

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Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate

Matt Snyder

Snyder Position on Foreign Affairs

"America has been a wonderful source of aid to other nations. However, our economic situation is such that we simply cannot afford to continue supplying financial aid to non-allies. Libyans saw no benefit from our aid. Pakistan has received around $20 Billion in the last decade and their loyalty still rested with Bin Laden. We just can’t afford to be this stupid anymore."