Rudy Giuliani: Foreign Policy Profile
Rudy Giuliani (R)
Giuliani was originally a lawyer and businessman before starting his political career. Although a Democrat and Independent in the 1970s, he became a Republican from the 1980s onward, serving in the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, eventually becoming U.S. Attorney. Giuliani then served two terms as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001. He has been both lambasted and celebrated for the 'Zero Tolerance Policy' that did so much to reduce crime in New York. Giuliani primarily has based his run for the White House on the national attention during and after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. Although a Yankees fan, he was cheered at a New York Mets game a week after the terrorist attack. He was named 'Person of the Year' by Time and received a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. His nickname is 'America's Mayor'.
Click here to see Rudy Giuliani’s '12 Commitments'.
'Towards a Realistic Peace' in Foreign Affairs, Sep/Oct 2007
Iraq
Former Mayor of New York regretted joining the Iraq Study Group saying that he found it too bipartisan. Giuliani is a fierce supporter of the war, calling it 'absolutely the right thing to do.' He also feels that the US should be proud of liberating Iraq and in November 06 said that a hasty withdrawal would encourage terrorist attacks and would be 'a terrible mistake'.China
Rudy Giuliani has not made any strong statements about China, though he does mention it in economic terms in an interview. He says that if the US establishes a primacy in alternative energy technologies, countries like India and China will buy these technologies from the US.Afghanistan
He is generally supportive of the campaign in Afghanistan, saying that we have to get the job right, and not leave until the Taliban and Al-Queda are crushed. He also thinks that we should put more effort into finding Bin Laden.Israel/Palestine
With his connections to New York, Giuliani has consistently shown a strong support for Israel, citing its moral superiority to Palestine which harbours terrorists. In 2002 at a pro-Israeli >rally in Washington DC, Giuliani stressed that Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel. He does not see a difference between Fatah or Hamas and in a 2007 rally said that there can be no peace process until the Palestinian Authority recognizes Israel’s right to exist.The UN
Giuliani views on the UN are primarily known for the connection to his speech to the UN General Assembly. He said in the post-9.11 period that the UN was failing in its prime directive of preventing conflict and that the UN had to be tougher on terrorism and states that harboured or sympathized with terrorist groups.Non-Proliferation
Giuliani has said that the US needs to be tough with Iran, and though a military strike would be very dangerous, letting Iran develop weapons would be equally dangerous. He has been criticised for not taking the nuclear option off the table in dealing with the Iranian crisis, though he still emphasizes the need to use diplomacy and sanctions.Terrorism
Giuliani’s views on terrorism have drawn criticism. In May 2007, he said that in a 9.11-style attack, all methods of interrogation short of torture (like waterboarding) should be used. As he made clear in his speech to the UN after 9.11, Giuliani feels that terrorism in waging a war against civilization. When pressed about abortion in an interview, Giuliani said that terrorism is the defining issue of the campaign.
NATO
Giuliani is seen to favour the alliance, and spoke warmly of its defence of values in a speech at the Riga Summit.
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