LEXINGTON, Va. — President Obama's most heralded international achievement of his first term was his order to carry out the daring raid that killed Osama bin Laden. But Mitt Romney challenged his rival on that turf Monday, arguing that Obama has not done enough to secure peace in the Middle East and has allowed terrorist networks to build strength while "leaving our destiny at the mercy of events."
Romney said Americans should take pride "in the blows that our military and intelligence professionals have inflicted on Al Qaeda" in Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling them "real achievements won at a high cost."
But he sought to focus voters' attention on the fact that Al Qaeda and its allies remain a strong force in Yemen and Somalia, in Libya and other parts of North Africa, in Iraq and now in Syria.
"Drones and the modern instruments of war are important tools in our fight, but they are no substitute for a national security strategy for the Middle East," he said. He did not specify what method he favored to eradicate terrorist groups.
Romney's address at the Virginia Military Institute, like his remarks on foreign policy on the campaign trail, painted broad themes while offering few policy details. And as it has previously, Romney's sharp criticism of Obama on foreign affairs suggested more distance from the president than appears to exist.
On the subject of Libya, for example, Romney said he would work to build a democratic nation and to pursue those who recently killed four Americans in Benghazi. But he did not say how his approach would differ from Obama's. Administration officials have been working with the Libyans toward both those objectives.
Romney did break ground in saying that he has in mind a plan to "begin anew" on Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. He vowed to "recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of
Romney said Americans should take pride "in the blows that our military and intelligence professionals have inflicted on Al Qaeda" in Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling them "real achievements won at a high cost."
But he sought to focus voters' attention on the fact that Al Qaeda and its allies remain a strong force in Yemen and Somalia, in Libya and other parts of North Africa, in Iraq and now in Syria.
"Drones and the modern instruments of war are important tools in our fight, but they are no substitute for a national security strategy for the Middle East," he said. He did not specify what method he favored to eradicate terrorist groups.
Romney's address at the Virginia Military Institute, like his remarks on foreign policy on the campaign trail, painted broad themes while offering few policy details. And as it has previously, Romney's sharp criticism of Obama on foreign affairs suggested more distance from the president than appears to exist.
On the subject of Libya, for example, Romney said he would work to build a democratic nation and to pursue those who recently killed four Americans in Benghazi. But he did not say how his approach would differ from Obama's. Administration officials have been working with the Libyans toward both those objectives.
Romney did break ground in saying that he has in mind a plan to "begin anew" on Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. He vowed to "recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of