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As mayor of New York, Giuliani had little reason to put forward his views on foreign policy, although it is easy to approximate his position due to his loyalty to the Republicans and President George Bush. However, since he has entered the race to become Republican presidential candidate for 2008, he has had to do more to clarify his personal politics.

Giuliani has been a consistent supporter of Bush's foreign policy, supporting the war in Iraq and the involvement of more troops from 2007. He is against a timetable for withdrawal, believing Iraq must be dealt with completely in order to further the war on terror and also encourage peace in the Middle East.

Giuliani has sought to promote a tough stance against what he sees as rogue states. He believes Iran to be a threat and suspects they are developing nuclear weapons. Giuliani appears to feel America should enter another war in order to stop Iran, suggesting even the use of nuclear weapons, telling the Republican presidential debate: "I think it could be done with conventional weapons, but you can't rule out anything and you shouldn't take any option off the table."

He appears to feel the United Nations has been too soft on terrorism. For the UN to be effective, Giuliani believes that, "it must ostracize any nation that supports terrorism. It must isolate any nation that remains neutral in the fight against terrorism." On his campaign website, he states "weakness only encourages aggression". However, as president it is likely that Giuliani would be forced to adopt a more diplomatic stance.

As well as the war on terror and rogue states, Giuliani has expressed support for the war on drugs. He believes drug policy should be an integral part of America's foreign policy.

Giuliani has not often commented on other areas of foreign policy. He has rarely articulated his thoughts on the solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict, although he did ask Yassar Arafat to leave a 1995 concert at the Lincoln Centre. Despite this, a panel of Israelis seeking to rank the 2008 presidential candidates on who would be best for Israel have consistently placed Giuliani at the top.

Guiliani has said little to distance himself from a typical Republican view on foreign policy. Statements issued by Giuliani promote a tough line on what he sees as America's many enemies, but in office he will need to do what is pragmatic, rather than what is popular.

Learn more about this author, Svetlana Elizabeth.
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