Romney proposes new sanctions on Iran, new help for Syrian rebels
Here are some of the foreign policy areas Romney touched on during his speech:
LIBYA
Romney acknowledged that blame for the attacks on American embassies and the attack in Libya that killed the U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others "lies solely with those who carried them out -- no one else." But he criticized the administration for its immediately handling of the situation.
"The attack on our Consulate there on September 11th, 2012 was likely the work of forces affiliated with those that attacked our homeland on September 11th, 2001. This latest assault can't be blamed on a reprehensible video insulting Islam, despite the administration's attempts to convince us of that for so long. No, as the administration has finally conceded, these attacks were the deliberate work of terrorists who use violence to impose their dark ideology on others, especially women and girls; who are fighting to control much of the Middle East today; and who seek to wage perpetual war on the West."
Romney said that he will support "the Libyan people's efforts to forge a lasting government that represents all of them," while also pursuing those who attacked the consulate. This position is the same as Obama's.
SYRIA
On Syria, Romney called for the United States to help arm the Syrian opposition. "In Syria, I'll work with our partners to identify and organize those members of the opposition who share our values and then ensure they obtain the arms they need to defeat Assad's tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets," Romney said.
Romney has previously said the U.S. needs to "be ready to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that we do not have -- any kind of weapon of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists," but had not yet said so specifically that he would help the opposition fighters obtain weapons.
The Obama administration is providing non-lethal aid such as intelligence, and The New York Times reported that the CIA is helping allies make sure they are sending arms to fighters who are not terrorists.
IRAN
"I will not hesitate to impose new sanctions on Iran, and will tighten the sanctions we currently have. I'll restore the permanent presence of aircraft carrier task forces in both the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf --and I'll work with Israel to increase our military assistance and coordination," Romney said.
The Obama administration has imposed unilateral financial and energy sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, in addition to four sets of sanctions imposed by the United Nations since 2006. The sanctions are partially responsible for the Iranian currency dropping by almost 40 percent in value in the past week and are having "significant" effects on the Iranian people, according to United Nations chief Ban Ki Moon.
AFGHANISTAN
Romney, who just this week conceded that the Afghan surge, approved by Obama in 2009, was a success, called for "a real and successful transition to Afghan security forces by the end of 2014."
While Obama has already called for all American troops to be out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, Romney has criticized the president for setting a public deadline and disregarding calls by some commanders to allow some troops to stay beyond that deadline.
"I'll evaluate conditions on the ground and weigh the best advice of our military commanders," Romney said. "And I will affirm that my duty is not to my political prospects, but to the security of the nation."
ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS
Romney said the relationship between the United States and Israel has "suffered great strains" under the Obama administration and argued that the president "explicitly stated that his goal was to put 'daylight' between the United States and Israel." Romney was referring to a meeting with Jewish leaders early on in Mr. Obama's presidency when he is reported to have said "When there is no daylight, Israel just sits on the sidelines, and that erodes our credibility with the Arab states."
Romney said that he will "recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel."
In a video of remarks at a private fundraiser that was recently released by Mother Jones magazine, Romney says he is torn by two perspectives of the conflict. On one hand he describes a view that he's "had for some time, which is that the Palestinians have no interest whatsoever in establishing peace." Romney goes onto say that in this line of thinking you have to "sort of live with it, and we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve it."
But he also tells the donors that he had heard from a former secretary of state who believes there is a prospect for a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. "I always keep open the idea," he concluded in the taped remarks.
Romney argued at VMI that Obama has failed both Israel and the Palestinians, saying that "what should be a negotiation process has devolved into a series of heated disputes at the (United Nations). In this old conflict, as in every challenge we face in the Middle East, only a new president will bring the chance to begin anew."
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http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/10/opinion/rand-paul-romney-foreign-policy/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
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That's good, I'm going to use it instead of "ping" or "pong".
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 - Because even a poor man has a right to live.
DJ, people have a right to receive healthcare. They dont have a right to force someone else to pay for it.
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On that logic, you don't have a right to ask me to pay to have people in Afghanistan killed! You don't have a right to ask me to pay for Oil Companies subsidies! You don't have a right to ask me to pay for things I don't want!
But that logic doesn't WORK Mortar - because once you pay your taxes the money is no longer YOURS and MINE - it becomes the United States Government's money and they need to think of the common good - not just what some teapartier out there wants!
I came back to see how it was going and looks like CBS is acting up AGAIN!! GRRRR
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I thought they were gonna get this time and date thing fixed - but doesn't look like it! : /
DAMMIT CBS!!! : (
Your name pops up and all that anger just disappears! : )
Although service members have their health care needs covered by the military, the state of national health care is important to an Air Force technical sergeant at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.
"I grew up in a low-income family that never had health care," the airman said. "You waited until you were extremely sick, and then my mother would take us to an emergency room.
"I'm in favor of everyone having health care," he said, adding that the Obama administration's health care plan may not be "the best one out there, but it's better than nothing."
Adolph Hitler and Mengele and all the ugliest hearted people ever to exist look at you, Dancing-in-the-streets, and shake their heads in amazement at your ugliness!
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7-11 -
There is no need to insult Zann, regardless of the fact that you can't beat her point. Take some personal responsibility for your lack of debate skills.
Wow. Lindag, that IS the perfect solution!
As well, we have many more "swimmers" at that point...
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Ya know there is a chance that God intended for pregnancies to happen at that time of our lives - when we're YOUNG!! And that maybe...just maybe, our society is WRONG about demonizing young people for getting pregnant!
One of the reasons we are genetically engineered that way is to be better able to care for the children.