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Defcon 3 10/24/2012

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    What impact does the Cuban Missile Crisis have on US foreign policy 50 years later?

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-- smaller now than any time since 1970.

The navy said they needed 313 ships to -- at the mission went out of the 285.

We're headed down to that the low two hundreds if we go through -- sequestration that's unacceptable to me.

I want to make sure that we have the ships that are required by our navy our air force is older and smaller than anytime since it was founded in 1947.

I think governor Romney may be hasn't spent enough time looking at how our military works you -- you mentioned the navy for example and we have fewer ships than we did in 1960.

Well governor we also have fewer horses and -- and -- Because the nature of our military's changed we have these things called aircraft carriers where planes land on the we have.

These ships -- go underwater nuclear submarines and so the question is not.

A game of battleship -- counting -- it's it's what our capabilities.

Could -- that was one of the more tense exchanges from Monday's third and final presidential debates.

Welcome to Defcon three -- KT my frog that this is a time each week here on foxnews.com.

Live where we dig deeper into the national security issues of -- -- We want you to join in the conversation too so you can find me on Twitter at KT McFarland for John join our live chat that's right here below on the video screen.

We love to get your questions and comments -- more -- Manningham and as we can.

To the show today we're going straight tour DC bureau to speak with Mitchell -- He's the president Washington college and and full disclosure.

Foreign policy advisor to governor Romney and we're gonna analyze how President Obama and governor Romney -- that foreign policy debate Monday night.

And again with full disclosure we want to tell you there were fair balanced your facts -- -- live.

We're talking today to governor Romney's foreign policy advisor next week we'll talk to want -- president Obama's foreign policy advisors.

So mr.

-- thank you very much for joining us here on Fox -- -- come alive Defcon three thank you.

Good afternoon -- I want to -- -- talk a little bit about what we saw on the foreign policy.

Debate and the exchanges where you know hah -- funny lies spread that they really.

Speak to a bigger issue of the foreign policy crises and and policies of each of these two candidates are trying to give -- the American people.

As you advise governor Romney what would you say are their main themes that we can expect in -- Romney administration's -- foreign policy payments.

Well I think you heard them during the debate on -- Monday night in poker -- on where.

But the governor I think came across.

As more the commander in chief than the president it's more measured.

Thought he was more confidence.

He was more optimistic about America's future and he also is more specific about some of those policies that -- -- the administration would adopt.

I think you heard the governor talk about a strong defense -- -- opposed to the defense cuts that secretary of defense Panetta.

President Obama -- secretary of defense this it would be devastating to our military.

I think those defense cuts would make America weaker would make the world less safe and I think president Romney would change that.

I think he also would put more emphasis on our allies and friends along the world.

Trying to make sure that they had confidence that they had trust that they could rely on the United States no matter what challenges that they face.

I think he also would promote free trade.

This administration inherited three free trade agreements from the Bush Administration.

Does not initiated any on its own at a time when the Chinese -- Marching out smartly in negotiating free trade agreements all over the world.

And I think that -- also have a Romney administration speak up much more forcefully.

For human rights.

Again that's really been.

A weakness and I think it's hurt America.

Around the world in these last few years during the Obama administration.

Where the president's been at best an uncertain trumpet.

For those voices that are yearning for the freedom in the dignity that we enjoy here in the United States.

And it took me a bit -- a bit about the energy policy governor Romney -- seven that was one of his main points was.

Not just to develop domestic energy resources but what that allows us to do with -- foreign policy.

Well that's right he wants to have all of North America be energy independent.

And I think that that's a realizable goal if we can mobilize.

All the resources that we have in the governor talked about our oil and natural gas and coal.

But he also talk about wind and solar as well as part of a portfolio.

That the United States should invest in for the future.

The payoff for foreign policy is that it makes us less reliance.

On Middle Eastern oil supplies.

Which would give us a little bit more room for -- ability.

In terms of promoting those interest in those values that are consistent with our national security.

What -- you know one other great advantages of this show in this Internet technology is that we get comments from viewers who then let me ask you the questions.

And we got one -- -- from JD who says that.

-- governor Romney and President Obama the -- policy questions -- they've they've dropped the ball they spent the hope for good bit of that can debate talking about.

Economic policy and education policy.

And they really did -- short shrift to a lot of the foreign policy issues.

The way you look at the world today what do you see is the biggest not the direction you want to take personal data didn't I don't -- gone dead.

OK the line's gone -- -- we are going to come back and a few minutes hopefully.

Take a quick break and are gonna come back once we've found.

Governor -- his firm policy advisor national race.

Hi welcome back to -- country that every now and then leader of technical difficulties and so those were technical difficulties.

We are now solved our technical difficulties and we're back with -- race.

President of Washington college and Romney campaign advisor.

They -- -- your recent -- I'm obviously watched the foreign policy debate.

And -- people commented after the fact that governor Romney didn't take a couple of -- that he could have.

At President Obama over Libya wait if you -- -- -- little more detail about the Libya policy how with the governor.

If president how we handle that situation differently.

Well I I think like many Americans so we're still waiting for the straight story on Libya it's now been five weeks or so wind and the administration still.

Can't quite get his facts right.

What is indisputable.

Is that clearly there was a terrorist attack on our consulate there it's indisputable that part of that attack.

Individuals.

Requested additional security that was denied.

And would certainly indisputable is that there's a rising tide.

Extremism across north and Africa and the Middle East.

That broader issue is the one I think it.

Should concern.

The administration's concern all Americans going forward because of the Obama administration either has -- recognized the forces at work in the region.

And certainly has not developed a policy to address it.

And what you've heard from the governor on Monday night was a comprehensive policy.

That would include a counterterrorism actions to be sure.

But would be much broader in scope.

And try and address some of the underlying reasons.

For the misery in the region and for the susceptibility.

Of the youth in the region to two -- -- themselves to Islamic extremism.

He's going to and I think -- the administration would have a much broader approach to this whole issue can.

Do a little bit worried how can she really got my Republican candidates for anything saying we should have more foreign assistance.

To countries it's usually not more of our military angle.

So describe a little more detail the kind of for assistance and economic development that the governor was alluding to him.

Well about a month ago the governor gave -- speech come up in New York if -- Clinton forum.

In which he talked about American foreign assistance and the key point of that was it.

Bilateral assistance for development may be necessary but it really is a very small component.

But what has to be changing the rules that govern society.

So that you can make it an attractive place for foreign direct investment.

Capital flows from foreign direct investment overwhelmed they dwarf government to government assistance.

And so small amounts of government assistance may be necessary.

To set up the rule of law to set -- transparency and accountability.

Which you want to create a situation where investors will want to come what people have confidence in investing in these societies.

And I think that really is a large part of the approach to the governor was talking about on Monday evening.

If you -- out credit and say manners are what would you say are the main points of -- Romney administration's -- -- thing.

Well I think first of all it's an optimistic foreign policy believes that the United States has an important role to play in the world and if we don't play it.

Others.

Adversaries of the United States may move into that vacuum and that would be very harmful to America's interest and to freedom around the world.

I think what that starts which is a strong defense I think it also includes free trade so that we can create more jobs here in the United States.

I think it also means support for human rights our values have to be aligned -- interest overseas.

And a president Romney would not be timid about speaking up in favor of freedom around the world.

And finally it translates into much greater support for our allies and friends around the world.

The reality today is that there isn't a single country the United States has a bilateral relationship -- It's stronger today -- the day President Obama took office.

Not with Russia the -- been a failure.

Not with China not with India not with our European allies to think that would be very different under Romney administration.

OK one final question and prediction are -- confident about the November election.

Well I think it's going to be close but yes I'm very confident.

-- Iowa thank you so much joining us have been doctor.

Initial -- is president of Washington college and also someone has been a long time advisor.

To governor Romney on foreign policy and national security issues thanks -- And now joining me on the sat -- have been really the distinct downer here at Fox News -- come live to have marine Sargent Dakota Meyer joining.

Journey Arab group and he's -- first living marine to receive the medal of honor since the Vietnam War.

He together with -- bing west is a former colleague of mine in the Reagan administration former assistant secretary of defense.

Have written a book called into the fire as a first hand account -- probably the most extraordinary battle of the Afghanistan war.

So gentlemen thank you so much examines why did -- tell us your story.

I know you know we we were over in Afghanistan now we're here -- going -- a village.

They wonder announce themselves -- the Taliban threw him go and and this is the -- they left me out of my team the higher -- to decide they're gonna leave me out and my team isn't -- without me.

So size about a undermanned -- who -- and and they win they were under attack immediately -- -- -- -- seem like Colin everything you count on every other firefight to support you failed.

And -- -- -- -- -- -- lost a lot of good friends lost my whole team that day.

Do you do to.

Stand wounds and then.

The office of them -- them that thing.

We -- look at a situation like that we just didn't do think a lot of it was just faulty intelligence and really setting up last night when it was set up.

-- I was incompetent leadership.

You know you always run into that that now.

Problem than bad on this -- we know we're leaderships and company and they they can't make good judgments.

As far as you know rules of engagement or wherever else stand in that this is this is what happens.

And -- solidify yourself and you saw that your colleagues were under fire we're getting injured maybe cal and so you just when did something.

This man myself with that's -- Chavez this time we could just sit back any longer and -- you know.

Says -- John as.

A true hero you know the -- is just the he's done so much to save my life and and you know I and then we went in and decide we had to do something because you know even Miller -- were telling us relative to be -- obedience to orders.

No we still have a stronger brotherhood and to do what's right in order to get them out.

-- -- westerners -- farmer wouldn't get around that marine.

And you've written some -- really some of the best I think best books about the Vietnam War the Afghanistan war the Iraq -- But you also talk a lot throughout your.

Public speaking career about the warrior -- And -- to -- the air train warriors to be warriors not to necessarily going to be teachers and build schools and all the rest.

How does to calm my nerves and -- -- really in the living example where you talk about.

Well we hope -- in the book we've been able to show their true home use there's the nature of the person and his nurturing thing.

And what -- what really interest me color.

Who lives he'll let -- and five times.

He tour values really should -- -- and each time he came.

You back here.

So he had time to thank each time you -- five times.

And I I want it to myself wasn't training -- was in his nature.

And so I've got -- understand his granddad and and they told me this wonderful story when he was four years old.

They had what they call all three vehicles you place forces.

Something I.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- When you can start this state TV and driving around thinking -- -- -- eight non current get.

And heat for two months kept trying and trying and finally stood up as dancer on the seat.

Of the -- and leave little forty pounds down on the kick stand they cut off.

So he had this nature.

And he had the upbringing in Kentucky.

But then when I watched what he did in the valley seemed to me that the nature wasn't enough if he didn't have this marine training as a sniper.

He would have lost it -- that now.

And -- -- the fifty caliber machine gun he used a seven point 62 millimeter machine gun he used a rifle to shoot people right next -- he used to lock.

-- -- -- -- If he didn't have this nature with the nurturing of the Marine Corps.

And it's it's like a baseball player when he gets up at bat and I obstacle what are you thanking these and I was just thinking my sight picture.

And it cost a baseball player what's he thinking when is -- values and not thinking I'm just waiting for the pitch that India and he had that.

Praying -- so at the end of the book I concluded it was both his nature when his dad his granddad and Kentucky did form.

And leaping off the AT.

And also the training of the Marines is both nature and nurture.

Our I think that it had time to think about it and obviously the consequences that must weigh very heavily you.

Would you do it again.

Which is actually agree -- go right to and you do it again did again today.

I would give anything to be -- -- to go back and fight again.

I for the cost effectively -- I don't fight for your Brothers fight for the cause it's both you know you want to fight make a difference you know we have we.

The reason we live in the greatest country on the face there than we have our freedoms are because they're men and women who -- willing to go out and volunteer.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- our beliefs and fight for them overseas so that we can be safe here in America and we can't ever for.

It you know marvelous -- -- to say that every generation history that freedom.

And I think you brewing.

-- give our innocence if you don't answer.

Not cancer but I can't say that I had struck in the last couple days and we had abnormal about what happened -- -- -- Where.

You know the American military review policy ozolinsh has left enough rest and I know you've written a piece in national review about -- us.

What -- intelligence failures leading up to why wasn't adequate security provided.

Why I have pleaded -- -- -- you see somebody like.

Dakota Meyer who admires and ran right -- and he didn't care -- me was that he was gonna get his colleagues.

Unfortunately though we didn't CDU.

If Kobe didn't get any help.

He hit right at any artillery support you just hours.

The rules of engagement were soups gunning in the bureaucracy would assume most out of five days left the -- on the battlefield by himself and and that.

That's pretty much what happened and then guys see we have seven -- of the firefight.

And nobody help those seals Dakota was in this fight for six hours and nobody helped.

This has an awful lot this.

Yeah I think this is a terrific book it's called into the fire firsthand account -- extraordinary battle of the Afghan war Dakota Meyer.

And bing west I think it's amounts on my list thank you thank you -- very much you joining us thank you.

Think you're never gonna go to Katherine Harris should talk about a little bit -- in -- the same thing.

Catherine and has been following the story of the Ben -- from the very beginning.

There is now a series of real time interview -- emails -- obtained by Fox News just a few hours ago.

Raising questions about the Obama administration's version of events in the terror attack at that US consulate in and Libya.

So she -- -- correspondent Catherine Herridge she's live with us from Washington -- with the latest.

When he came to me I've seen a lot of documents in the last five weeks since we had an attack on the consulate that killed four Americans.

But these documents that I had him removed stand -- because isn't the first time.

We'll see that real time email traffic and then there was -- and thank god he got into the White House situation room.

And the bad guys it is it raises the question.

-- the -- has can't terrorism advisor John -- the national security advisor Tom Donnelly and the Director of National Intelligence -- the nation's top intelligence official James clapper.

As this -- -- into that good -- And on these emails and even in the face of -- -- Defense Department saying it was a -- group.

The fiscal irresponsibility.

-- stuck with this idea for many days and then -- and then he.

That led to a demonstration.

That's -- -- control KT third and the fifth.

This is -- and then some but it's more significant that it goes inside the White House for the first time.

Catherine a quick question -- where you think this goes from here.

Well -- I've got some very important today.

On the head the National Counterterrorism Center Matt Olson testified on Capitol Hill.

Lose after -- know -- I'm an -- in the attack.

And -- the first administration official to say on the net good of the four Americans died in the course of the terrorist attack.

I was told today by -- congressional sources is that after that testimony.

The -- reprimanded by the White House -- unhappy with his statements and Lewis told the tone it down I don't have got back.

In the last few minutes I just have a statement from tiny little group says that -- the national security -- up.

White House he claims that this information that innocent as far as and then he adds.

The attack today in Gaza this -- -- -- which is why the president in the print to it as such.

Three times the president's testimony.

On September 18.

Wow that's -- time fifteen.

And major re writing.

Of the events that actually happened.

One of those three instances the white -- would say was when the president called it said acts of terrorism.

In the rose garden and whether that applied to been Gaza you're not I think that you or listeners and viewers can decide.

But to me this -- statement is -- if it's nothing else.

Well cap pressured us standing current stark contrast -- the two gentlemen we've just talked to war veterans in heroes and anyway thank you so much Sam -- Freddie -- yes ideally anyway okay.

I want to read a quick chat before we go to break and this is from -- west Burke who says he's so -- banks the soldiers who were just done.

And thank them for their willingness to fight on our country's behalf and -- I completely agree.

Are rare -- break -- in camera back and talk about the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962 and I was a nerve wracking peak of the Cold War.

And to commemorate the event I had the pleasure of speaking -- -- Sandra Howard about what it was like when she was in the White House during those initial tense moments.

The Cuban missile crisis she was there take a lesson.

Now you were avenue had an amazing background but as a young woman and I young -- and you're in the White House.

During the Cuban missile crisis what was happening when it was pretty.

Pretty fascinating and extraordinary but really more fascinating.

When I realized that the next day he -- to submit the nation on the -- the world over to the world not just the nation.

And -- quite how to sweeping two we wanna.

Two.

If you will appreciate that human -- take you were having dinner with the Kennedys and who was who was at the dinner I was staying home with the -- Ambassador who was and I -- -- -- Spiegel.

And his wife.

And I was there with my first husband.

Had to the union the person disabled list things to -- since.

Doesn't happen the duchess of Devonshire who had had a cat innings in an exhibition in Washington.

But she also had connections with the Kennedys since she she she she was a -- for it.

So you're having dinner and that price and I have primary -- more -- course this won't run just -- -- his -- best.

And myself for -- -- husband.

Who was cold front and -- -- here.

And a different definition.

And the president the president yes so engine and she and Jack Kennedy -- there are very Arab -- rushing in to say Mr.

President look at this story just having a lot lately I have I am very hazy flashy but it didn't end this isn't that the -- they did green and number of times in the room.

And the president went to the -- books in the room to Oxford to -- -- course and he pickup the conversation just -- he -- itself.

We came back to the table so we've been talking he'd be saying that you didn't see you haven't who has.

About Clinton in Britain I was I was in new -- painful it's -- -- for a not financially struggling agency.

And sense he was just -- -- questions like that.

-- you so here he was dealing with new clear weapons aren't the presently I was able to spiritual and switch and the most fascinating way.

Me I think when you defend -- right back to the real world and found out that the whole world have been on -- and let them but they -- the United States.

For those seven days in October can just inches from nuclear war.

I couldn't quite believe that he could have.

Had -- to have the ability to.

To teach to sort -- just -- from.

-- -- -- conversation to -- decisions but I think he made decisions.

And I think publicly.

It was -- away he he was having -- with friends and it was the -- thing that would you can say in public anything you had to do.

The next day.

Government has promised.

Has maintained the closest surveillance.

Of the Soviet military build up on the island of Cuba.

Within the past week.

Unmistakable evidence has established the fact.

-- a series of offensive missile site.

Is now in preparation.

On that imprisoned island.

The purpose of these bases.

Can be none other.

Then -- providing nuclear strike capability.

Against the Western Hemisphere this -- can transformation of -- Into an important strategic -- By the president to be -- long range and clearly offensive weapons.

-- mass destruction.

Constitute an explicit threat to the peace and security.

Of all the American.

Aren't -- objective they have a -- to prevent the use of these missiles.

Against this.

Or any other country.

And -- secure their withdrawal.

Or elimination.

From the Western Hemisphere.

Acting they have for the defense of our own security.

And of the entire Western Hemisphere.

And under the authority entrusted to me by the constitution.

Has endorsed by the -- resolution of the congress.

I've directed that the following initial step.

Be taken immediately.

The hope that the Fed could build up.

-- strict quarantine on all offensive military equipment.

On the -- and beat Cuba is being initiated.

All -- of any kind down to Cuba.

From whatever nation no point.

Where they're found to contain cargoes of offensive -- -- -- back.

This quarantine will be expanded if need.

To what type of Chicago and Paris.

It shall be the quality of this nation.

-- we got any nuclear missile.

Launch from Cuba are against any nation in the Western Hemisphere.

As an attack.

By the Soviet Union on the United States.

Requiring -- foreign territory response.

Upon the Soviet Union.

Even to this stage really no one's talked about that period we've seen pictures yes we've seen -- of the cables have been released because I don't think anybody's really talked about what was it like inside the White House.

For -- like Jackie came back for the weekend she was cool that.

To be that's right because he is sent Jack human children weren and he didn't keep one -- 2 appointments on that morning and I nominated him.

Having been leading up to.

So what advice would you give your husband when he's had crises like that minorities at a crisis like that.

But when he's been.

Crises economic political.

You know the Falklands war did you say.

Well look I've gotten through the Cuban missile crisis panic the rest is easy I've just got to -- the game he's -- through crisis he doesn't fit with their with the -- -- Well I think lady -- Howard author.

Ex lions and reading about now.

About the period when you were in the White House during the Cuban missile crisis.

I'm sure your -- 22 year old models out of his line inside and every crisis.

Think isn't -- for your time and we -- look forward to reading your book when it comes thank you thank you.

Thanks for joining us today you can catch more mammoth Fox News Channel and Fox Business tonight at 7 o'clock eastern with Lou Dobbs.

Don't forget foxnews.com -- -- programming tomorrow.

At 11 AM eastern.

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