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Candidates debate America's stature in the world

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    Where does U.S. influence stand?

  • Duration 6:53
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Happening now measuring America's stature in the world the president and governor Romney trading jabs in their final debate -- whether or not America is really better off.

On the world stage four years after mr.

Obama was elected.

We need to have strong allies.

-- association and and connection with our allies is essential.

To America -- whether the great nation that has allies 42 allies and friends around the world.

And finally we have to stand -- our principles.

And if we're strong in each of those things American influence will -- but unfortunately.

In -- -- in the world is America's influence greater today that was four years ago.

America remains the one indispensable nation.

And the world needs a strong America and in this -- now than when I came and office.

Because we into the -- Iraq we were able to refocus our attention.

On not only the terrorist threat but also beginning a transition process in Afghanistan.

It also allowed us to refocus.

On alliances relationships that have been neglected.

For a decade.

And.

More influence less influence stronger less strong let's talk about it now is seeing a dorm Andy she's CNN senior fellow and head of the US program -- Chatham house and lending.

Acting outside -- vice president of foreign and defense policy studies.

At the American Enterprise Institute it's nice ten -- with that -- your thoughts on this are we stronger less strong more influential less influential what do you think.

Bruce is the more she's kind of -- is telling it and telling -- some of the story -- both of them.

But both of them -- a true.

On the one hand you know American is the indispensable ally America continues to be considered -- round the world.

Suddenly without -- -- -- a strong allies with Europe.

As as necessary and necessary -- and almost any issue any challenge that we face.

On the on the hand.

It's also choose that compared to four years ago you -- -- poll ratings about the United States for years ago and today.

Use.

When Obama came in and nobody in Europe was so hopeful about what Obama was going to do about what kind of -- he would see.

Hopeful off -- four years or eight years of President Bush.

-- who hadn't gone over well in Europe and so.

-- came from a very very had a high level of hope.

And the reality is is that America continues this year -- -- -- there's interest that it always aligned with those of -- allies.

Terribly closely and then for that hope is diminished -- -- four years actually both of them.

We're telling an accurate story as interesting -- -- how do you see it.

Well yeah I I actually think that Romney did a pretty good job in laying it out all over you picking the number of allies that we have around the world perhaps wasn't the most effective way to go about it.

But if you look at the if you look at the pew surveys around the Middle East.

An area in which President Obama explicitly promised to restore America's reputation in the region we are even less popular in the Arab world.

Then we were under George W.

Bush that's a pretty tough feat for -- Barack Obama to have accomplished.

But I think there are other measures as well -- our allies don't trust us to have their backs it's not just the Israelis it's also our allies in Asia who are being.

Who are being frankly scared in the South China Sea by the Chinese military it's our allies in Eastern Europe who see -- not standing up to the Russians.

All around the world there are countries that have looked to the United States and what they've gotten from the White House is sorry we're really busy not now.

Dana -- is perception matter.

When it comes to foreign policy.

That you -- be saying OK well they don't perceive as positively well it who cares it's about it's about -- and what we want to achieve as a nation tell us why.

We need to do both why perceptions importing but also laying out what what we want to achieve.

And and whether or not we've actually done that with either candidate.

-- two -- that -- -- -- as the perception ups are Danielle the there are two sides of this problem the first is -- countries that I work with us perceive us as reliable and the answer to that is.

No they don't perceive us as reliable anymore.

The other side is how -- -- -- perceive us.

Do they think that we will be there to stand against them if they test our metal if they threaten our allies and I think their perception is no.

We're not going to be there.

All the president likes emphasizes.

We're getting out we're turning our backs and -- the -- Iraq getting out of Afghanistan on schedule.

He emphasizes turning America's back on the world that's a problem for us everywhere in Kenya is it.

Well I think I think isn't as our.

I would say you know sitting here in mountainous and and then when you lost to them that I I think Matt's.

And a lot of countries I spent some quite some time in Asia this year a lot of countries in Asia actually.

Concerned.

With -- more associate -- more aggressive America.

They feel squeezed between America and China.

China is that principle.

Trading Honda but America is -- principal security -- And what they want to do is balance between these two pounds in some sense.

And don't and not be squeezed by -- Wants what a lot of people was saying in DC over the last year or two is that China's being America's best diplomat.

And in some respects that's true the aggressiveness of China the -- committee -- Hasn't has meant that many of these Asian allies -- actually moved towards the United States.

If you look -- poll ratings.

In in Europe.

You know those that it's it's it's quite stunning -- lead there's some of the numbers.

Of of Europeans and whether they support Romney -- they support Obama and he -- and is very very strongly they would go for Obama.

But this is -- in you wants this question about the sections vs reality a lot of this is perception.

The difference and we -- this in the debate yesterday both.

Both Romney and Obama would issue and not dissimilar out policy but the perception is a Obama -- In his quieted talk while I take everything that Daniel has has said on -- and I think -- make sure there are some who are concerned with a unless -- -- unless.

-- seemed to be strong America.

Others who also say they -- -- position that that did that taking the middle let it.

And makes us more comfortable so that there's there's.

And in between lines -- I actually think we hide that from Romney and Obama last night.

And to be interesting to see -- that perception is that all changed about -- As in new authority and take a look at some of those polls as well posted -- -- -- house nice to have your perspectives today I -- the third have you both back on the program thank you.

Thank thank you we've been talking about.

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