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OK I see he supports Coast Guard and Port Security. Is that it? Does Paul think there IS a War on Terror? How would Paul respond to 9/11? To the next 9/11? Would he? Does he subscribe to the “don’t make ‘em mad” approach to foreign policy? Does he never ever see an “expeditionary” role for the US Military? How would Paul handle a scenario where American citizens, in the conduct of free trade throughout the world are attacked by (fill in the blank)? How would Paul respond to a situation where numerous Americans were taken hostage? Just asking you understand. You’ve obviously researched they guy. His statements on Iraq are similar to Democratic statements so I’d like to know how/if he differs with respect to foreign policy.

In short, Ron Paul supported the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force against the Taliban who attacked the World Trade Center.

Basically, Ron Paul believes in Christian Just War Theory -- the State has a duty to punish those who actually attack the Citizenry, and that's about it. The State should not do much else (the State should do as little as possible).

In short, Ron Paul supported the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force against the Taliban who attacked the World Trade Center. Basically, Ron Paul believes in Christian Just War Theory -- the State has a duty to punish those who actually attack the Citizenry, and that's about it. The State should not do much else (the State should do as little as possible)

Well this answer disappoints me for a number of reasons. First it wasn't the Taliban that attacked us. It was Al-Qaeda which attacked the World Trade Center but was allowed to operate out of Afghanistan by the Taliban which was in charge of the Gov't. Thus, we pursued Al-Qaeda into Afghanistan, even though many of the Al-Qaeda members were originally Saudis. Likewise Al-Qaeda is now operating out of Iraq and we are pursuing them there as well as working to establish a Gov't so the locals can do the job themselves (yeah it's slow hard work). Second point: the "just war" is kind of fuzzy wuzzy to me. If war is only used as a punishment then it only makes sense for those who attack our citizenry to hide behind masks and vague organizations and disassociate themselves from specific countries. This is where Paul's foreign policy breaks down. If you don't know the country that a group comes from or if they are outside of specific countries (much like Pirates during the Founders time) where and how do you pursue them?

"I do not envy President Bush's dilemma. He faces what some might say is a bit of a Hobson's choice: act agressively now and perhaps spawn future Osama bin Ladens, or act with restraint and be subjected to possible future attacks originating out of Iraq. We do have a right to self-defense, but since September 11th it is much harder to establish clear perimeters of protection. We must proceed with care. We must be vigilant. But we must acknowledge that people definitely would die if we go in to Iraq."

This is from our pastor dated 2/17/2003 from a much larger article on "the just war" and national self-defense.