The foreign policy of a nation is their way of interaction with other nations and people including economic, political, social, military, etc for cooperation to protect national interests, security, economic prosperity, as well as ideological goals. Their method can include war, aggression, economic pressure, and exploitation or peaceful cooperation and dialogue. The main difference between a President John McCain and a President Barack Obama is that Mr. Obama would choose aggressive diplomatic dialogue and peaceful cooperation speaking with opposing leaders that John McCain would not talk or negotiate with. Mr. McCain would continue with confronting the enemy with pressure and threats.
As we come to this important election the presidential candidates are evaluating how they will solve or control a war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East, a threat in Iran, etc. and global warming, pollution, energy crisis, food crisis, and immigration to name a few problems. Incorrectly handled these problems are deadly whether by present and future wars or natural destruction of the earth's ability to continue.
Our responsibility is to evaluate their positions, recommend other solutions where possible; pray for the candidates and wisdom and promote the one we feel can bring stability and economic, physical and emotional security to our nation and the world.
As we have seen in war in Iraq, plans change once you are directly involved and another difference is Barack Obama has not been to Iraq or Afghanistan; John McCain has been there to see a complete picture of what is happening. However, Barack Obama believes that a big part of the violence in Iraq is because we are another nation, even another religion in their nation, so he would begin immediately pulling out one to two brigades a month; but taking 16 months to withdraw. (A US brigade can be 1.500 to 4,000 troops.) He says he would not build a permanent base in Iraq, but if Al-Qaeda builds a base, he would have a base of troops in Iraq or surrounding country to attack them.
Barack Obama would seek a new accord on Iraq's Constitution and government. He would press the United Nations to "play a central role in this convention, which should not adjourn until a new national accord is reached addressing tough questions like federalism and oil revenue-sharing." These things sound good, but the United Nation has no power over a nation that refuses their resolutions. This also shows that Iraq does not control their nation.
John McCain supports the surge. He would continue the war until democracy won and all opposition is destroyed. Iraq must determine how to end sectarian tensions and civil war with the greater war in full swing. He fears the destabilization of the Middle East and is against the withdrawing of US troops; yet we are the reason for the destabilization. It is the western powers and immoral way of living that the radical Islamists are fighting.
On the energy crisis, John McCain supports off shore drilling for US oil with conservation and alternative energy. Barack Obama wants greater investment in ethanol, alternative fuels, and lower auto emissions without off shore drilling. Both will cost billions of dollars and not solve the energy crisis or global warming because oil will be necessary to manufacture all phases of the research and we will have polluted ourselves to death or fought in wars for oil because of the rapidly increasing need for oil in industry worldwide.
Nuclear Energy is supported by both candidates in spite of their many dangers. Nuclear energy use creates hazardous waste that can make a simple or complex dirty bomb. Since world leaders change frequently, it is not safe to encourage nuclear energy use; it is a costly, dangerous, hazardous waste producing technology.
As voters we need to notice we are in a nasty world war of technology and ideology with no end in sight; it makes sense to end one war and work toward stopping another by clarifying and attacking the reasons for the conflicts.
Our employment lifestyle is causing world problems; the solution is to encourage our potential leaders to encourage a retirement lifestyle of creating a garden paradise, not for tourism where people must leave, but for a healthy lifestyle of fresh foods, clean air, land water, healthy bodies, and no stress. This will be a lifestyle that solves world problems, and a lifestyle we can export and not need to war over.