Issue Position: Foreign Policy

Issue Position

The number one priority for the federal government is to provide for a strong national defense. We must not lose sight of that fact. We must also accept that protecting our families here sometimes means we must become involved in areas far away. Two of the heaviest areas of American military involvement right now are Iraq and Afghanistan.

As we begin to remove our forces from Iraq, we must not do so in a manner that does not create a large power vacuum in that country. Such a vacuum would make it easier for Iran to exert much more influence. It could also make it much easier for Iranian-backed extremists to enter the country and conduct attacks.

As we focus on Iran, we must also do everything necessary to prevent that government from building a nuclear weapon. Our greatest ally in the region is Israel. Allowing Iran to develop a nuclear weapon would empower a government that is constantly searching for ways to undermine and/or destroy the nation of Israel.

In Afghanistan, the time for monumental decisions is fast approaching. I look forward to Defense Secretary Gates' report this December. If he says that our mission of denying the terrorists a base of operation there and protecting Americans is being fulfilled, then I say we stay and finish the job. If he says that we are essentially serving as the de facto Afghan government and our goals are unattainable or impractical, then we should make great changes or bring our forces home.

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