Mitt Romney Foreign Policy Offers Details for Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe (ContributorNetwork)

ANALYSIS | Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney recently announced his foreign policy team, which is made of several former high-ranking officials from the administration of George W. Bush.

Romney is looking to bolster his foreign policy credentials ahead of GOP primary elections that begin in January 2012. Here's a look at Romney's foreign policy initiatives regarding different parts of the world vital to America's national security.

Iraq

In Romney's plan entitled "An American Century," he outlines that, as president, he would maintain that Iraq become a strong partner of the United States. He would use any means necessary to that end. Although he offers no specifics, everything will be utilized from the diplomatic corps to economic ties as well as the military.

MSNBC reported in June 2007 that Romney disagreed with the Bush Administration's assertion that American troops stay in Iraq for decades. The presidential candidate doesn't want another Korean War and believes the United States should help Iraq stand on its own when the country is ready. This assertion has not changed over the past four years.

Afghanistan

Romney believes there should be no timetable to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. He was critical of Obama's stance that he put a surge of troops into the country, yet he also told Afghan allies that they will be withdrawing at a certain time. Romney states he will listen to military commanders to have a realistic assessment of troop levels needed to achieve victory.

At a debate on June 14, Romney hinted he would bring the troops home from Afghanistan if possible.

"It's time for us to bring our troops home as soon as we possibly can - as soon as our generals think it's okay. One lesson we've learned in Afghanistan is that Americans cannot fight another nation's war of independence," Romney said, according to Politico.

Middle East

Romney has a broad scope of ideals regarding the Arab Spring in the Middle East, a large focus of his foreign policy paper. He believes the Obama Administration has wrongly asserted peace between Israel and Palestine is the major conflict in the region. Romney has promised to secure Israel and to lend assistance to fledgling governments with recently deposed dictators.

Romney's policy toward Middle Eastern nations is a balanced approach. In Feb. 2007, Romney spoke to ABC News and said America shouldn't send troops into Iran even though they are reportedly sending jihadists to Iraq. Yet he also backed down from some Democrats such as then-Sen. Hillary Clinton who thought they should engage in diplomacy with Iran's staunch regime.

China

The plan Romney has for China is simple. He acknowledges the world's economy needs China but also knows that their political influence cannot grow. Romney fears China will attempt to intimidate its neighbors and as president he states there will be steps taken to prevent that from happening.

CNN reports the presidential front runner believes China has an eye on interests in the South China Sea, meaning Taiwan. The island nation has always been a thorn in the side of mainland China. Taiwan and China have always had strained relations since the Communist revolution of the 1950s. Deposed Chinese leaders fled to Taiwan and set up their own government.

Europe

Romney was very critical of the Obama Administration's supposed inspiration from the European brand of socialism. At the debate in Florida, he had some blunt words about Europe's governments.

"Europe isn't working in Europe. It's not going to work here. I believe in America. I believe in the opportunity and the freedom that is American opportunity and freedom. I believe in free enterprise and capitalism," Romney said, according to the Telegraph.

However, he also believes European nations are key allies. He proposes a missile defense system for the continent that must be completed so Europe can defend itself from a possible missile attack from Iran should they acquire nuclear weapons. This is the same missile defense system that drove a wedge between U.S.-Russian relations during the presidency of George W. Bush. President Obama backed down from the missile defense system once he took office.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111012/us_ac/10170691_mitt_romney_foreign_policy_offers_details_for_iraq_afghanistan_europe

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