Let’s look at the key foreign policy issues Palin will have to address in her biggest face-off to date. True, the conduct of foreign policy is a very complex, structured, arena, and Palin’s role will be limited within it. Still, many have been questioning her capability in the international arena — largely over her remarks on Iran, Iraq and the “War on Terror”.

Last week Palin met with heads of state — speed dating, more like. But she is appearing on the international front increasingly. Some of her views: “Never again will we risk another Holocaust” when talking on the Iran issue, the “war on terror” has been a “victory” and an increase in troops to Afghanistan is needed. Granted, these views are amateur, but she is being coached — and more likely than not, she will learn on the job — as many other incumbents have done. Her views are at odds with prevailing wisdom about the Axis of Evil. There are demands to pull out troops from Afghanistan; the “war on terror” is losing ground as skirmishes develop along the Afghan-Pakistan border. But, once again, let us be reminded, that Palin is a running mate, to a very experienced McCain.

In a rare interview with CBS’s Kate Couric, Palin’s view on the “war on terror” was expanded — “A surge in Afghanistan also will lead us to victory there as it has proven to have done in Iraq,” adding that “we cannot afford to retreat, to withdraw in Iraq.” This statement, some may argue, has been rehearsed, but it is indisputable that no president, whether Republican or Democrat will pull out of Iraq. Vague and broad, indeed; so the question perhaps should not be how well-equipped she is to lead a nation, but why she was chosen as running mate.

... contd.