Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy:

Link: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/9/santorum-paul-detail-israel-iran-policies/

Summary: Recently, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum gave their stances on policy with Israel and Iran with its nuclear program. Santorum said that the U.S. needs to continue support to Israel because they are our biggest ally in the region. He also said that we need to work harder in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He said, if necessary, we would use tactical air strikes to take out nuclear facilities. Paul said that the U.S. needs to stay a “good friend” to Israel but that funneling aid there would hurt the country in the long run. He also said that premature action in Iran before they have actually obtained a nuclear weapon would be very bad, mentioning the recent war in Iraq.

Application: This is a stark example of the platforms of the Republican Party. While at different degrees, both Republican candidates seem to very much support military action. Generally, Republicans believe in a strong military and in using force, if necessary, to assert authority. For Democrats, they know America needs a strong military, but tend to keep it for defense and peace-keeping only. Both of these candidates want to use the military if Iran is found with nuclear weapons to keep America and the world safe and also to flex the power America has in its military.

Opinion: I agree with points of both candidates. For Santorum, I think that it is good to stay close allies with Israel and keep them as an important ally in the Middle East. I also agree with Paul; I think that, especially when we are in such bad debt ourselves, America doesn’t need to be funneling billions of dollars and aid into another country that can get along by itself. As for Iran, I agree with Santorum. I don’t like the idea of another, possibly belligerent, country getting a hold of a nuclear weapon and I think it is our duty to stop them before they do obtain a nuclear weapon.