“America and our allies are facing a series of complex threats."
We need to shape them before they explode into conflict.
Our foreign policy will have to be guided by a strategy of American strength.
Key context: America faces a bewildering array of threats and opportunities.
Keep America strong - the only choice
Guiding principles
Clarity and resolve - No doubts on where we stand and what we will do to protect our interests and that
of allies.
Formulate and maintain an international system and grouping of nations congenial to open markets,
representative government, and respect for human rights.
Full power to influence events before they erupt into conflict.
See his site for detail by country (China, Israel, Iran, Russia, etc.)
- Reorganize Diplomatic & Assistance Agencies
- Train counterterrorism resources
- Clarify legislative mandates to protect America
CORE PRINCIPLE
Mitt Romney’s comprehensive strategy has this principle at its core: a strong America is the best ally world peace has ever known. President Reagan called this “Peace through Strength,” and that phrase remains just as true today. Mitt Romney rejects the narrative that America is in decline. Decline is a choice. Mitt Romney will strive to ensure that the 21st century is an American Century.
THE FIRST 100 DAYS
And, impossible to summarize, so I recreate it here:
Setting a New Tone: Eight Actions for the First Hundred Days
1. Restore America’s Naval Credibility: Announce an initiative to increase the naval shipbuilding rate from nine per year to approximately fifteen per year and sustain the carrier fleet at eleven. This will restore America’s presence and credibility on the high seas with a view toward deterring aggressive behavior and maintaining the peace.
2. Strengthen and Repair Relationships with Steadfast Allies: Take swift measures to restore and enhance relationships with our most steadfast allies. Actions include reaffirming as a vital national interest Israel’s existence as Jewish state, declaring the U.S.-U.K. special relationship to be a foundation for peace and liberty, and beginning talks to strengthen cooperation with Mexico on the shared problem of drugs and security.
3. Enhance Our Deterrent Against Iran: Reaffirm that Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon is unacceptable. Order the regular presence of a carrier task force in both the Eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf region. Begin discussions with Israel to increase levels of military and intelligence coordination and assistance.
4. Commit to a Robust National Missile Defense System: Begin process of reversing Obama-era budget cuts to national missile defense and raise to a top priority the full deployment of a multilayered national ballistic-missile defense system.
5. Establish a Single Point of Responsibility for All Soft Power Resources in the Middle East: Work with Congress and relevant Executive branch agencies to organize all diplomatic and assistance efforts in the greater Middle East under one Regional Director with unified budgetary and directive authority. One official with responsibility and accountability will set regional priorities and direct our soft power toward ensuring the Arab Spring realizes its promise.
6. Launch Campaign for Economic Opportunity in Latin America: Capitalize on the benefits arising from the pending ratification of the Colombian and Panamanian free trade agreements to launch a robust public-diplomacy and trade promotion campaign in Latin America that contrasts the benefits of democracy, free trade, and economic opportunity with the ills caused by the authoritarian model of Venezuela and Cuba.
7. Conduct a Full Review of Our Transition in Afghanistan: Conduct a full interagency review of our military and assistance presence in Afghanistan to determine the presence necessary to secure our gains and successfully complete our mission. The review will involve discussions with generals on the ground and the delivery of the best recommendations of our military commanders.
8. Order Interagency Initiative on Cybersecurity: Order a full interagency initiative to formulate a unified national strategy to deter and defend against the growing threats of militarized cyber-attacks, cyber-terrorism, cyber-espionage, and private-sector intellectual property theft. U.S. defense and intelligence resources must be fully engaged in this critical aspect of national defense.
