Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on China, Iran, Israel and other key foreign issues

Take a look at where each of the GOP candidates stands on foreign policy and national security issues.

4. Rick Santorum

Molly Reiley/Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates Forum in Washington December 7, 2011.

China

Says the US has a moral obligation to defeat China’s “godless socialism” and would start with a tougher military stance toward China in the South China Sea.

Middle East

Would implement “the toughest sanctions to date” on Iran by cutting off the oil-producing country’s oil supply. Advocates greater US support for Iran’s pro-
 democracy forces, claiming the Arab Spring could have started in (non-Arab) Iran if Obama had sided with Iranian protesters in 2009.

Terrorism

Supports the concept of the “long war” against global terrorism, insisting that like the cold war it is winnable. Says the rise of “militant socialists” in South America is the sleeper threat he would address. Supports ethnic and religious profiling at airport security.

Defense spending

Would not cut “one penny” of the defense budget, but would direct more military spending to the US-Mexican border.

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