Libya Attacks and Foreign Policy

This week there was an attack on the US Embassy in Libya where the US Ambassador, Chris Stevens, and three other Americans were killed along with a handful of Libyans.  The Embassy was attacked after an American made film that mocked the Islamic prophet Mohammed was released in Libya.

This event brings up the question of foreign policy into the presidential debate.  A president, as commander-in-chief, is the head of our foreign policy apparatus.  He uses the informal power of speeches and crisis manager to deal with these issues.  He also uses the formal powers of his office of appointing ambassadors, meeting with foreign dignitaries, and commanding the military to conduct foreign affairs. 

What should the president do about the attack on our embassy in Libya?
Is foreign policy an important issue to you as a voter?  Why?

(Please respond to this post by September 23.)

Mexico Drug Wars, Is It A Shared Responsibility (post #29)

A recent op-ed piece in the Los Angeles Times, Mexico's Drug War: Crossing the Border, raises the the subject of the cross border nature of the drug wars taking place in Mexico today. Over 15,000 people died in violence related to the drug wars in Mexico in 2010. The violence has caused the deaths of Americans on both sides of the border as well. Do you think America is responsible for the violence crossing the border? The violence in Mexico? The weapons used are blamed on American private gun dealers and government programs to help Mexico fight the drug cartels. Rueben Martinez the author of the piece also points out that the illegal drug market in the United States is a driving force in the slaughter happening in Mexico. Most of the illegal drugs used in America come from or through Mexico. The huge demand in America drives the the whole illegal drug trade. What do you think should be done? Is this just Mexico's problem? Should the U.S. expand it's involvement in ending the cartel's power over Mexico? What do you think? Please respect the thoughts of others when blogging.

Egypt, Who Do We Support? (Post #7)

Egyptians have taken to the streets in protest of a despotic, corrupt, and U.S. supported government. After days of protest and a couple of "flinches" by President Mubarak regarding a new cabinet and the constitution Egyptians continue to protest with a million man march planned for Tuesday. America is in a precarious position here, do we support Mubarak and his repressive regime or do we support a move towards free elections and democracy? Even if it means a rise to power for the Muslim Brotherhood the main opposition to the current government? Is this a repeat performance of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 that saw America's good friend the Shah Reza Pahlavi lose power to the Ayatollah Khomeini and fundamentalist Islam? What about America's best ally in the area Israel and how they feel about the possibility of a pro-Palestinian Egypt next door and another Six Day War with the chance of a different outcome? If you were the president how would you handle this difficult foreign policy issue?Would you support Mubarak or a new democratic government and the uncertainty of free elections? Please respect the opinions of other bloggers.