Luther Strange vs Roy Moore on national security & foreign policy

Alabamians will vote Tuesday to determine whether Judge Roy Moore or Sen. Luther Strange will represent the Republican ticket for the special Senate election in December.

Not surprisingly, the debate over who the best candidate is to take Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions’ old seat has been primarily focused on domestic issues important to Alabama’s voters. However, a U.S. Senator also plays an important role in crafting foreign policy, through powers designated to the congressional body in the Constitution.

Therefore, it’s important to highlight where Strange (the party-establishment favorite) and Moore stand on the national security and foreign policy issues of the day.

Radical Islam

Moore recently described Islam in its entirety as a “false religion” that preaches the complete “opposite with what our First Amendment stands for.”

“Islamic law is simply incompatible with our law,” Moore wrote in a 2006 article for World Net Daily, stating that the Koran and its embedded philosophy is “directly contrary to the principles of the Constitution.”

Strange has spoken about the need to fight “radical Islamic terrorism” and “the evil ideology of Islamic extremism.”

Military

Moore is a graduate of West Point Academy and served in the Vietnam War. He has called for more funding to “be available to develop a missile defense system and to provide our Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Coast Guard with the most modern technology including weapon systems.”

Strange has echoed calls to bolster the U.S. military. He said “our first priority must be to ensure the readiness of our military.”

President Trump has decided to ban military recruits who identify as transgender, stirring a nationwide debate over how to best staff the American military.

Moore sees the potential inclusion of transgender soldiers in the military as “something that will actually decimate the morale of the military.”

Sen. Strange agrees with Trump’s decision, describing the U.S. military as “no place for social experiments.”

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Foreign policy

On his campaign website, Moore describes "Walk softly and carry a big stick" as his guiding principle for foreign policy, an established realpolitik viewpoint popularized by former President Theodore Roosevelt. He adds: “We should not be entangled in foreign wars merely at the whim and caprice of a President.”

Strange has not endorsed a particular philosophy or independent position, but has shown consistent support for President Trump’s foreign policy decisions.

Afghanistan

Strange praised President Trump’s decision to renew U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and “listen to our generals.” He said that Trump made the right decision to walk back on his campaign promises “and adopt a policy that is in our national interest.”

Moore’s position on the current state of affairs in Afghanistan is currently unknown.

Israel

Both Moore and Strange have been outspoken about promoting the “special relationship” between Israel and the United States.

Moore calls Israel the “United States' most important ally and partner in the Middle East.” He has urged Congress to “pass the Taylor Force Act and move the U.S. Embassy” to Israel’s capital of Jerusalem.

Strange has also supported legislation calling on the president to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

"Alabama has a special link to Israel because of our strong economic development ties, particularly through our space and defense industries,” Strange said on a 2011 trip to Israel, while serving as the attorney general of Alabama.

Immigration/border security

Roy Moore opposes DACA, President Obama’s executive order for amnesty. Strange has not taken a clear position on DACA.

Both candidates support border security measures that would stop the unchecked flow of illegal aliens and potential terror threats into the country. And both have spoken out about the lawless nature of sanctuary cities inside the country.

Iran

Strange has described the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran as "horrible" and "naive."

“The mullahs continue to try to undermine U.S. efforts, pose threat to our allies, and destabilize the region and above all remain the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world,” Strange said of the Iranian regime.

Judge Roy Moore has not yet weighed in on the Iran deal.