Rick Perry presidential campaign, 2016/Foreign affairs
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 Rick Perry |
Governor of Texas (2000-2015) Lieutenant Governor of Texas (1998-2000) Texas Agriculture Commissioner (1990 - 1998) Texas House of Representatives (1984-1990) |
 Republican candidate: |
2028 • 2024 • 2020 • 2016 |
This page was current as of the 2016 election.
Iran nuclear deal
- Speaking at the Florida Economic Growth Summit on June 2, 2015, Rick Perry suggested the Obama administration has misstepped in its handling of Iran, adding, "And we're to trust this administration and trust Iran that they are not going to get nuclear weapons? All this is doing is guaranteeing that Iran is going get a nuclear weapon and, in turn, the result will be a Sunni bomb will be developed, and the entire Middle East will be a substantially more dangerous place."[2]
- During an interview with David Drucker of The Washington Examiner in May 2015, Perry said, "I would suggest one of the first things that I did, if not the first thing, from the time I took my hand off the Bible until the inaugural balls would be to sign an executive order wiping out this agreement that it appears we're going to have with Iran. It's a bad deal. It's a bad deal for the Middle East, it's a bad deal for Israel. I mean, all it will do is guarantee a Sunni bomb. Proliferation that will occur from this president signing a deal with Iran the way I understand it today is a really bad document."[3]
- On April 1, 2015, Perry released the following statement on the Iran nuclear deal: "If I were president today, I would suspend negotiations and ask Secretary Kerry to come home immediately. I would demand Congress pass stricter sanctions on Iran until we are assured the Iranian regime abandons its quest for nuclear weapons, and stops funding terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Americans and our friends in Israel and the Arab world are right to be wary of a nuclear deal with Iran that is riddled with concessions by the Obama Administration. Under this deal, Iran doesn’t destroy a single centrifuge. Under this deal, Iran retains every single ounce of enriched uranium. Under this deal, Iran does not have to disclose its work on developing a nuclear warhead. This is a bad deal, and like most Americans, I have long believed that no deal is better and safer than a bad deal. The Iranians have proven time and again they cannot be trusted. It’s clear they’ve been moving toward a nuclear weapon. An agreement that leaves their centrifuges and nuclear facilities in place and trusts them to meet their pledges is simply too dangerous."[4]
Military preparedness and budget
- In an April 2015 op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader, Perry discussed the government's failure to prioritize defense spending. Perry wrote, "It is time for a debate about the state of our military and its historic underfunding. The Republican-led Congress is making some progress on increasing defense spending. Yet defense spending in the current budget is still insufficient. If I were President today, I would reframe the entire defense debate: from what do we have leftover to spend on defense to what we must spend to keep America safe. It is time to tell the truth to the American people that both parties have gutted our defenses rather than impose spending discipline on other areas of government. "[5]
- Perry spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on October 27, 2014, about the danger of defense cuts. Perry said, "When you see the military buildup of China, the depletion of our own military forces, with a reduction of spending of some 21 percent in the last four years, how can you not think of a previous era soon after the end of the war in Vietnam, and wonder if we’re not once again inviting threats to our interests at home and overseas by allowing the hollowing out of our military?"[6]
- In July 2014, Perry wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post criticizing Senator Rand Paul's non-interventionist stance on Iraq and warning against isolationism. Perry explained, "Viewed together, Obama’s policies have certainly led us to this dangerous point in Iraq and Syria, but Paul’s brand of isolationism (or whatever term he prefers) would compound the threat of terrorism even further. Ignoring the growth of the Islamic State and events in Syria and Iraq will only ensure that the problem will fester and grow. The United States needs to take seriously the threat this presents to our nation."[7]
- When Perry ran in the 2012 presidential election, he put together a foreign policy team that included Victoria Coates, who previously worked as a research director for former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.[8]
- In the 1970s, Rick Perry served in the United States Air Force as a cargo pilot across Latin America, North Africa and Europe.[8]
National security
- On June 4, 2015, Rick Perry announced his presidential bid in Texas, where he stated, "No decision has done more harm than the president’s withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Let no one be mistaken, leaders of both parties have made grave mistakes in Iraq. But in January 2009–when Barack Obama became Commander-in-Chief–Iraq had been largely pacified. America had won the war. But our president failed to secure the peace."[9]
- During an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Perry supported placing troops on the ground to combat the ISIS insurgency in the Middle East. When asked how he would justify engaging in military conflict again in the Middle East to weary Americans, Perry said, "I would suggest to them that I have the background and the ability to make decisions on my own and I think if American and Western values are in jeopardy and U.S. troops working with coalition force is how you stop ISIS, I think the bulk of the American people are going to say thank you Mr. President for standing up for our values, thank you for stopping this face of evil."[10]
- At the RedState Gathering in 2014, Perry rejected putting boots on the ground in Iraq. Instead, he advocated for greater use of the country's “aviation assets.”[11]
- Perry blamed the growth of ISIS on the Obama administration's policies in February 2015. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Perry said, "This administration’s incompetence in Iraq and Syria have allowed the emergence of ISIS. They’re in American tanks, they’re using American weapons, and ISIS began taking cities that just a few years ago were secured by American blood.”[12]
- In August 2014, Perry spoke at the Heritage Foundation where he expressed concern with the security of the U.S.-Mexican border. Suggesting ISIS supporters may have crossed the border, Perry said, "There is I think great concern that the border between the United States and Mexico is insecure. And we don’t know who’s using that. What I will share with you [is] that we’ve seen historic high levels of individuals from countries with terrorist ties over the course of the last months. I’ll give you one anecdotal picture of what’s happening: Three Ukrainian individuals were apprehended in a ranch in far west Texas within the last 60 days."[13]
- During a 2011 Republican presidential debate, Perry stated he was glad Obama had not closed Guantanamo Bay, adding, "America's safer for it."[14]
- Perry had previously criticized the Obama administration's processing of alleged terrorists in his 2010 book, Fed Up!: Our Fight to Save American from Washington. Perry wrote, "Almost a full decade after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Washington still has not settled on a policy for detaining and, if necessary, prosecuting enemies captured in the War on Terror. President Obama naively campaigned as if terrorism should be handled as a law enforcement matter, and in November 2009 Attorney General Holder held a major press conference to announce that Guantanamo Bay would be shuttered and that 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would face a civilian trial in Manhattan. Both plans have crumbled in the face of public and congressional opposition, and to this day the administration refuses to decide what to do. Washington's paralysis on the seminal issue of our time--dealing with terrorists whose mission is to kill as many American as possible--signals weakness to our enemies."[15]
- In a 2011 interview on FOX News, Perry said that if he had been elected to the presidency, he would have instituted a no-fly zone over Syria. Moreover, he said he would be willing to do so unilaterally, as he would "not spend a lot of time waiting for the U.N."[16]
- While visiting New Hampshire in 2011, Perry recommended using drones to border to police the U.S.-Mexican border, a policy that had already been instituted several years before.[17][18]
International relations
| Perry released a video statement regarding the Russian military intervention in the Ukraine in February 2015. |
- At the Iowa Agriculture Summit in March 2015, Rick Perry questioned the Obama administration's opening of relations with Cuba, including the exchange of an American government contractor for three Cuban spies. Perry had a more positive outlook on relations with China, saying, "There is an opportunity for us, through trade, and for our ability to influence that country to really be engaged with them and to change the culture."[19]
- In February 2015, Perry released a video statement regarding the Russian military intervention in the Ukraine. To address the conflict, Perry made the following five recommendations: "Provide lethal aid to the Ukrainians so they can defend themselves. Increase sanctions, including reconsidering Russia’s continued access to the SWIFT international banking system. Fast track permits for LNG export facilities on the East Coast to flood the European market with American natural gas. Lead the debate in NATO to allow a permanent deployment of U.S. and NATO allies to Poland and the Baltics to protect our allies and assets in the area, including U.S. bomber wings in the Baltic republics and permanent U.S. Army forces in Poland. Conduct port visits by the U.S. Navy in the Baltics."[20]
- On August 1, 2014, Perry wrote an op-ed in Politico about the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Perry defended Israel's response to the violence, writing, "To begin, anyone tempted to suggest Israel has used a disproportionate amount of force to defend itself needs to remember the origins of this latest round of violence. It’s Hamas that continued to launch rockets, despite Israel’s willingness to discuss and abide by multiple cease-fires. It’s Hamas that uses Palestinians as human shields to protect its leaders and its arsenals, and to preserve its extensive system of tunnels. And it’s Hamas that would, if given the opportunity, take the life of every Israeli within range of its thousands of rockets."[21]
- Advocating for "vigorous support" of Israel, Perry added, "The United States must take the lead in bringing the international community together to demand the total removal of every missile in Gaza, as well as the complete destruction of the tunnel network being used by Hamas terrorists. To facilitate this, the United States must use the tools available to us diplomatically and continue to support the actions of the Israel Defense Forces. Should the international community fail to join us in sufficient numbers, the United States should block actions in the United Nations aimed at preventing Israel from defending itself."[21]
- Perry also criticized a foreign policy that allies the United States more closely with Turkey and Qatar than Israel.[21]
- During a November 2011 debate between Republican candidates, Perry advocated cutting foreign aid down significantly. Perry said, "The foreign aid budget in my administration for every country is gonna start at zero dollars. Zero dollars. And then we'll have a conversation. Then we'll have a conversation in this country about whether or not a penny of our taxpayer dollar needs to go into those countries." However, Perry added Israel would likely receive some funding as "a special ally." Perry called this form of support "strategic defense aid" at the Republican Jewish Coalition Forum in December 2011.[22][23]
- In 2011, Perry said that he would stand behind Israel "whether it's diplomatic, whether it's economic sanctions, whether it's overt or covert operations, up to and including military action." Perry explained that he would support Israel launching an air strike against Iran as long as they had sufficient evidence that Iran was obtaining nuclear weapons.[24]
- During a 2011 Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas, Perry questioned American involvement with the United Nations and suggested the United States consider defunding it.[25]
- Perry traveled to Israel in 2009 where he was interviewed by the Jerusalem Post. Perry stated he was a "big believer that this country was given to the people of Israel a long time ago, by God, and that's ordained." During that trip, Perry also stated, "I have long supported the right of a Jewish state to exist in the Middle East."[26][27]
- In June 2007, Perry supported and signed a bill for divestment of the state's two largest pensions funds in companies with questionable business dealings in Sudan. Perry stated, " We can say we will not stand idly by as innocent blood is shed by the hands of evil. We can say that our money will not be invested in companies that prop up such a notorious regime. And we can say that human rights are more important than business profits. The bill...sends a message that Texas is committed to ending the genocide in Sudan by making the Khartoum government pay an economic price."[28]
Epidemic control
- Following the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa in 2014, the first case of the virus in the United States was diagnosed in Dallas, Texas on September 30, 2014. On October 6, 2014, Rick Perry issued an executive order to assemble the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response.[29][30]
- On October 7, 2014, Perry stated he opposed a travel ban on flights from West Africa. He instead supported a more intensive screening process involving temperature checks and quarantine checks.[31]
- Two more Texas residents were diagnosed with Ebola while Perry went abroad to complete a pre-scheduled weeklong economic development trip beginning October 12, 2014. Perry returned early to the United States after criticism of his absence during the public health crisis.[32]
- Politico reported on October 17, 2014, Perry, shifting from his earlier position, had requested President Obama institute a travel ban from West African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak.[33]
- According to The Huffington Post, "In 2007, Perry became the first governor in the U.S. to require young women to get vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer." In 2011, Perry distanced himself from the later overturned HPV vaccine mandate, calling the executive order "a mistake."[34]
- In 2003, Perry signed a Texas law that permitted parents to exempt their child from immunization "for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief," a far looser standard than the typical exemption for medical reasons.[34]
ISIS and terrorism
- Perry blamed the growth of ISIS on the Obama administration's policies in February 2015. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Perry said, "This administration’s incompetence in Iraq and Syria have allowed the emergence of ISIS. They’re in American tanks, they’re using American weapons, and ISIS began taking cities that just a few years ago were secured by American blood.”[35]
- In August 2014, Perry spoke at the Heritage Foundation where he expressed concern with the security of the U.S.-Mexican border. Suggesting ISIS supporters may have crossed the border, Perry said, "There is I think great concern that the border between the United States and Mexico is insecure. And we don’t know who’s using that. What I will share with you [is] that we’ve seen historic high levels of individuals from countries with terrorist ties over the course of the last months. I’ll give you one anecdotal picture of what’s happening: Three Ukrainian individuals were apprehended in a ranch in far west Texas within the last 60 days."[36]
- During an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Perry supported placing troops on the ground to combat the ISIS insurgency in the Middle East. When asked how he would justify engaging in military conflict again in the Middle East to weary Americans, Perry said, "I would suggest to them that I have the background and the ability to make decisions on my own and I think if American and Western values are in jeopardy and U.S. troops working with coalition force is how you stop ISIS, I think the bulk of the American people are going to say thank you Mr. President for standing up for our values, thank you for stopping this face of evil."[37]
- At the RedState Gathering in 2014, Perry rejected putting boots on the ground in Iraq. Instead, he advocated for greater use of the country's “aviation assets.”[38]
- In July 2014, Perry wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post criticizing Senator Rand Paul's non-interventionist stance on Iraq and warning against isolationism. Perry explained, "Viewed together, Obama’s policies have certainly led us to this dangerous point in Iraq and Syria, but Paul’s brand of isolationism (or whatever term he prefers) would compound the threat of terrorism even further. Ignoring the growth of the Islamic State and events in Syria and Iraq will only ensure that the problem will fester and grow. The United States needs to take seriously the threat this presents to our nation."[39]
- In a 2011 interview on FOX News, Perry said that if he had been elected to the presidency, he would have instituted a no-fly zone over Syria. Moreover, he said he would be willing to do so unilaterally, as he would "not spend a lot of time waiting for the U.N."[40]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Rick + Perry + Foreign + Affairs
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ CNN, "Rick Perry launches comeback White House bid," June 4, 2015
- ↑ C-SPAN, "Governor Rick Perry at the Florida Economic Growth Summit," June 2, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Examiner, "Rick Perry: the unlikely wonk in the presidential race," May 4, 2015
- ↑ RickPac.org, "Statement by Gov. Rick Perry Regarding Ongoing Iran Nuclear Negotiations," accessed April 10, 2015
- ↑ New Hampshire Union Leader, "Another View – Rick Perry: Our national defense has been neglected; we must change course," April 10, 2015
- ↑ The American Conservative, "Perry’s Stale Foreign Policy," October 28, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Isolationist policies make the threat of terrorism even greater," July 11, 2014
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Foreign Policy, “Rick Perry's Foreign Policy," November 17, 2011
- ↑ TIME, "Transcript: Read Full Text of Rick Perry’s Campaign Launch," June 4, 2015
- ↑ CNN, "Rick Perry to Hillary Clinton: Where’s your loyalty?" March 1, 2015
- ↑ Red State, “Rick Perry on ISIS: We Are Right to Eliminate Them," August 8, 2014
- ↑ CNS News, "Rick Perry: ‘ISIS Represents Worst Threat to Freedom Since Communism’," February 27, 2015
- ↑ Business Insider, "Rick Perry: There Is 'A Very Real Possibility' ISIS Forces Have Crossed US-Mexican Border," August 21, 2014
- ↑ ABC News, "At Reagan Library, GOP Candidates Debate Foreign Policy, U.S. Troops," September 8, 2011
- ↑ Perry, Rick. (2010). Fed Up!: Our Fight to Save America from Washington. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. (page 132)
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Perry: I would impose no-fly zone over Syria," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Rick Perry suggests predator drones for border patrol," August 16, 2011
- ↑ The Washington Post, "U.S. surveillance drones largely ineffective along border, report says," January 6, 2015
- ↑ CBS News, "Rick Perry blasts White House over Cuba, China relations," March 7, 2015
- ↑ Breitbart, "Former Governor Rick Perry Issues Statement on Ukraine and Russia," February 24, 2015
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Politico, Stand With Israel, August 1, 2014
- ↑ Council on Foreign Relations, "Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina, November 2011," November 12, 2011
- ↑ TIME, "Transcript: Remarks by Rick Perry at Republican Jewish Coalition Forum," December 7, 2011
- ↑ Reuters, “Perry would back Israel strike on Iran nuke sites," November 3, 2011
- ↑ CBS News, "Rick Perry: Time to consider defunding United Nations," October 19, 2011
- ↑ Newsweek, "Israel's Frenemies," September 18, 2011
- ↑ NBCDFW, "Perry in Israel to Receive Defender of Jerusalem Award," August 13, 2009
- ↑ Legislative Reference Library of Texas, "Gov. Rick Perry's comments on divestment in Sudan," June 21, 2007
- ↑ Legislative Reference Library of Texas, "Relating to the creation of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (Ebola)," October 6, 2014
- ↑ MSNBC, "Rick Perry announces Ebola task force," October 6, 2014
- ↑ The Hill, "Rick Perry: No Ebola flight bans," October 7, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Rick Perry's Ebola test," October 17, 2014
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Rick Perry Supports Air Travel Ban For 'Countries That Have Been Hit Hardest' By Ebola," October 17, 2014
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 The Huffington Post, "Rick Perry Law Led To Rise In Parents Opting Out Of Vaccines," February 4, 2015
- ↑ CNS News, "Rick Perry: ‘ISIS Represents Worst Threat to Freedom Since Communism’," February 27, 2015
- ↑ Business Insider, "Rick Perry: There Is 'A Very Real Possibility' ISIS Forces Have Crossed US-Mexican Border," August 21, 2014
- ↑ CNN, "Rick Perry to Hillary Clinton: Where’s your loyalty?" March 1, 2015
- ↑ Red State, “Rick Perry on ISIS: We Are Right to Eliminate Them," August 8, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Isolationist policies make the threat of terrorism even greater," July 11, 2014
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Perry: I would impose no-fly zone over Syria," accessed December 17, 2014
