Herman Cain on Iran

Summary

Herman Cain takes a hard line approach to addressing Iran. He has stated that the US should attempt diplomatic efforts to end Iran's nuclear program.

In July of 2011, Herman Cain proposed the Cain Doctrine. The Cain doctrine is a two part idea that the US should let Iran and other countries know that attacking Israel would be seen as an attack on the US. The second part would be backing that rhetoric with an attack should Iran move forward with an attack.

To address Iran's nuclear energy pursuits, Herman Cain promotes energy independence to remove Iran's financial revenue.

 

Daily Caller Interview

In October of 2010 Herman Cain was interviewed by the Daily Caller and was asked about Iran. He stated that he was not privy to inside information as to how close Iran was to a nuclear weapon. He did state that he felt they posed a threat to Israel.

In Iran, Cain supports pushing a diplomatic approach for nuclear disarmament, but said the United States should be weary of the Iranian regime. Cain said the U.S. and the UN should continue with strict sanctions and follow through on them, but should be ready to react in the case Iran does anything out of line.

“I don’t have enough confidential inside information to know how close they [Iran] are to building a nuclear weapon and, from the information [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad has put out there in the press, I don’t think they’re that close,” Cain said. “Where they are a threat is in Israel, the fact that they have flat-out threatened to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.”

 

The Cain Doctrine

In July of 2011, Mr Cain spoke at a forum for the Washington Times and defined the Cain Doctrine. That doctrine would consist of telling Iran and other nations that attacking Israel was the equivelent to attacking the US and the US would respond accordingly.

Option A is, ‘Folks, we are not going to allow you to attack Israel‘ … If they call my bluff, they already know — they will know — what Option B is.

There will be a set of conditions and circumstances that I will work with Israel on for them to understand that they cannot abuse that doctrine.

(If Israel is attacked by Iran, I am) not going to sit back and get a vote from the United Nations as to what we ought to do.

If they [Iran] start lobbing rockets and stuff over at Israel, then we’re going to shoot back with Israel.

...

The problem we have today is that, I believe, that [Iran] would test this president’s intention to help protect Israel.

 

Iowa Debate

In August of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Republican debate in Ames, Iowa. He spoke about the need to become energy independent to lessen Iran's power.

 

Dick Morris Interview

In September of 2011, Herman Cain was interviewed by Dick Morris on foreign policy. He notes that the US should be in place to retaliate against a possible Iran attack against Israel. He supports assigning an Aegis gun ship within firing range of such a retaliation.

 

Greta Appearance

On October 11, 2011 Mr Cain appeared on the Greta Van Susteran show and discussed Iran and a recently foiled attempt by Iranian operatives to assassinate a Saudi Ambassador.

 

CBS Foreign Policy Debate

On November 11, 2011 Herman Cain participated in the CBS foreign policy debate. He was asked there about Iran and he discusses the need to engage the younger generation there and the need to reduce our energy dependence on the region. He supports sanctions, but not military action in the country.

 

CNN National Security Debate

In Novemeber of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the national security debate on CNN. He was asked about whether or not he would support an attack by Israel on Iran. He states that in theory, he would support such an attack. However, he would need to know that the plan had a high possibility for success to go along with it.

 

References

[1] Website: The Daily Caller Article: Potential presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks to TheDC about where he stands on domestic, fore Author: Matthew Boyle Accessed on: 05/09/2011

[2] Website: Washington Times Article: Cain: I would attack Iran to protect Israel Author: Ben Birnbaum Accessed on: 10/28/2011

[3] Website: FoxNews Article: Cain: Iran and Other Countries Continue to Challenge U.S. Because They See Obama as a 'Weak Presiden Author: NA Accessed on: 10/28/2011

[4] Website: DickMorris.com Article: HERMAN CAIN INTERVIEW ON NEW IDEAS TO TAME IRAN Author: NA Accessed on: 10/28/2011

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