Foreign policy took a back seat to economic talk during the first presidential debate Friday, but Mark Peceny, professor and chair of UNM's political science department, took time to explain some of the finer points of the original topic to the Daily Lobo.
Daily Lobo: How would you characterize Bush's legacy on foreign policy?
Mark Peceny: His principal legacy is relatively accurate. It is a history of unfortunate policy, and you have to realize there have been damaged relationships and more tensions built.
DL: How do you see the next administration being able to rectify this situation?
MP: There needs to be work on healing wounds, and ultimately we need to work on rebuilding ties.
DL: In the debate Friday, how did the candidates fare on foreign policy issues?
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MP: Neither candidate did poorly - there is no optimal strategy to cover the majority of nations around the world, and each candidate's approach is different. Obama has kept Iraq central to his foreign policy vision and views it in a responsible manner. He has also said he thinks the war was never immoral, only misguided. McCain has looked at it from a strong, decisive and use-of-force-to-show-resolve viewpoint. I think that's the difference between them.
DL: What was most disappointing in Friday's debate?
MP: There is a revolving conflict central to foreign policy that is not being addressed. It is America's position as leader in the global economy. Currently, the U.S. dollar is the currency of choice. We're the only country who can print (dollars), and the U.S. can pay off debt with our own dollars. With the current economic crisis, U.S. financial institutions are going down. It means consequences to the global economy as well.
DL: Can you give some examples of the financial institutions and how their downfall may affect the global economy?
MP: Well, it's local and global. America now owns an insurance company, AIG. AIG has substantial ties to both Asia and London. Asia has policies through this company. Therefore, there are others being affected, not just Americans.
DL: How do these candidates plan to deal with Iran and nuclear threats?
MP: Obama has said he prefers adversarial allies and it is reasonable to talk to Iran. McCain has said there are military options and no optimal strategy.
DL: Do you see any type of nuclear retaliation against the U.S. or between any other states?
MP: When dealing with nuclear weapons, it is very serious. There are dramatically fewer nuclear weapons today than there were 20 years ago. The Soviet Union has seen a drop, and fewer states are developing nuclear weapons, which is positive.
DL: What is the best way to ensure a nuclear war doesn't start?
MP: Nuclear deterrence usually works. It is extremely unlikely to use them. Before launching a nuclear attack, you usually need a two-state capacity, meaning both will usually have to have nuclear weapons, and when two states have nuclear weapons, both will think before the attack.
DL: So the probability of a nuclear war starting is pretty low?
MP: If a state is developing nuclear weapons, they may or may not be fully operational. If there were a nuclear war between states in a situation like this, it would come apart at the seams. Also, nuclear weapons have come to be a sign, over time, for taboo.
DL: So you think foreign policy should remain on the forefront of this campaign?
MP: I think central foreign policy will be the challenge of the new administration. This is something that is never spoken about, and if this isn't resolved people are going to be vulnerable to a wide range of potential shock.
