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Crises in Mideast putting foreign policy on front burner

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    How will situation impact 2012 race?

  • Duration 5:44
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Big ugly fruits of the Obama foreign policy unravel around the world on our TV screens.

Syria -- 20000 dead people Iran is closer -- nuclear weapon.

The Middle East peace process is in shambles and and we have our flags being burned all around the world.

Russia is thwarting us at every stage in the process.

This is a weak foreign policy with terrible results which makes us less safe.

The opinion of the vice presidential -- there Paul Ryan right now we talk a lot about the economy and jobs.

As well as -- number one issue for voters this election but recent events are pushing foreign policy to the front burner Republicans apparently seen opening.

With the president's handling of the attack on the US consulate in Libya governor Romney out with an op Ed in today's Wall Street Journal laying out what he calls his vision for the Middle East.

I reports indicate the Republican nominee will get the -- speech on foreign policy after.

The first presidential debate on Wednesday night Aaron Miller its former advisor did -- six secretaries of state.

And he's joining us now an -- I you've advised secretaries of state who are Republican or Democrat -- -- noted.

That we -- in -- in periods of tension and disconnect when it comes in the Middle East before.

What makes now difference.

-- is is a very good point in the Republican democratic thing is a good point of departure you know I voted for Republicans and Democrats I work for Democrats and Republicans the fact is.

The dividing line on these as you should not be between liberal and conservative left and right Democrat and Republican.

It ought to be between -- And Smart.

And America ought to be on the Smart side and what is this like that's that's the cool -- depends on the issue I mean the attack on Obama's foreign policy in certain respects is accurate.

In other respects it's not.

But the reality is what what are the basic principles and one of the basic interest that we need to be following -- number one keeping America safe.

The organizing principle the nation's foreign policies protecting the homeland.

You can't protect your homeland you don't need a foreign policy.

And I -- -- I think that the current president actually has become up.

To some degree a more effective version as carry on George W Bush's policies.

And Israel I think that some of the Romney charges are accurate.

-- the fact is that the president has gratuitously alienated.

The prime minister of Israel.

On an issue that frankly was not relevant which was settlements.

And I don't think unlike Bill Clinton and George W.

Bush that this president has the kind of emotional sensitivity.

That I think is required.

To create some measure of partnership.

With the Israelis even though Netanyahu is a is -- a difficult guy.

I'm Syria look let's be clear we're coming off the two longest wars in American history.

The last thing we need.

Is a -- other military adventure.

It -- thought through very clearly.

On -- -- no matter who's president we got big trouble coming.

The Israelis rightly need to figure out a way to prevent Iran from enriching uranium.

Question is whether or not you can do that short of war and right now neither Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney nor Benjamin Netanyahu had the answers to that.

He'll get it is brought us through some very important regions and Italy's and it's such a big topic -- liked it to drill down and return to one of the things that you you point out -- the difference between being Smart stupid when it comes to foreign policy so.

Let's talk about priorities especially now in this election season where it's easy to be distracted -- and what's the biggest threat -- national security you look at the Middle East.

What's the number one threat facing.

-- American security today.

Why would still continue to believe that protecting our people.

Clearly at home.

And abroad are avoiding another.

Attack with conventional was certainly unconventional weapons against the kind of United States is the single most.

Important priority.

There's no question.

-- beyond that is is maintaining access to well.

The region's oil reserves not necessarily for us but in large part where wean ourselves off terrible oil.

It's our allies who want.

That's a second realities -- unconventional threat when it comes to weapons are you talking specifically about Iran and nuclear weapons or chemical weapons of what what what it what specifically are you speaking out there.

Well again I think -- we're safer.

As a consequence of policies pursued under the last administration and this one at home but we're not entirely safe.

There are still transnational groups that would love to get their hands.

On.

Chemical weapons for sure biological weapons there's no question about that.

They basically -- I think we have to figure out.

How when when we're going to use American power.

And we have to get beyond slogans the fact is the Arab Spring or I would argue the Arab winner.

Is in large part out of our capacity to shape.

And to control.

How we need to do what we can to support them economically.

If there's a policy where we can support opposition groups fine.

But Iraq and Afghanistan show unmistakably.

The limits to our capacity.

To create nations abroad we we have a hard time.

Sixteen our own problems at home and in January those problems loom large we just have to be a lot smarter when we projector -- -- really look forward to talking to look for to have you back back question -- and -- to use American power sounds like a good one.

For the upcoming debate and we can get one of those in their seat we can't -- I thank you saw it appear to have you back.

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