In the Jan/Feb Issue of Foreign Affairs, Mike Huckabee gives his views on foreign policy, just like every other MSM-approved candidate has. After leading with "The Bush administration's arrogant bunker mentality" to grab headlines, Huckabee attacks the Bush administration for not being aggressive enough, and not spending enough on the military.
But on the bright side, the Huckster takes a moderate approach towards Iran:
"Whereas there can be no rational dealings with al Qaeda, Iran is a nation-state seeking regional clout and playing the game of power politics we understand and can skillfully pursue. We cannot live with al Qaeda, but we might be able to live with a contained Iran. Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons on my watch. But before I look parents in the eye to explain why I put their son's or daughter's life at risk, I want to do everything possible to avoid conflict. We have substantive issues to discuss with Tehran. Recent direct negotiations about Iraq have not been productive because they have not explored the full range of issues. We have valuable incentives to offer Iran: trade and economic assistance, full diplomatic relations, and security guarantees."
However, he later calls for "toughening our stance with Pakistan", thereby switching one boogeyman out for another. Since the most recent NIE has discredited those clamoring for war with Iran the loudest, Huckabee has chosen to go an alternate route.
Here's a summary of some of his other views:
1. Energy Autarky - "Energy Independence" within 10 years; large Gov’t pork projects for alternative energy programs.
2. Increase the size of the military, scrape harder at the bottom of the barrel - Huckabee wants to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 a ~15% increase. With the Army already recruiting felons, gang bangers, and skinheads into the ranks, what's next? NeoCon Max Boot thinks we should enlist illegal immigrants into the military, so maybe that's the Huckster's plan. Maybe we'll just have a polyglot army like so many empires of the past have had.
3. Increase defense spending 50% -- Huckabee thinks that US defense spending should be hiked 50%, from its current "3.9%" of GDP to 6% of GDP. If our current fiscal and monetary problems don't kill the dollar, I'm sure Huckabee's plan for an extra quarter-trillion in debt every year will.
5. Strike Pakistan, regardless of the consequences - "The threat of an attack on us is far graver than the risk that a quick and limited strike against al Qaeda would bring extremists to power in Pakistan."
6. While we prepare to bomb Pakistan, we should continue to give them billions in aid - "We should not cut money for projects that alleviate poverty. Money designated for counterterrorism must be spent for that purpose and with quantifiable results. Money designated for weapons not suited to fighting terrorists should be used as a carrot to reward the Pakistani government for demonstrated progress in strengthening moderate forces, improving its citizens' quality of life, and fighting terrorism."
