Santorum Participates in a Panel at USGLC Conference  ... >
June 17, 2014 - Former Sen. Rick Santorum participated in a panel on "Responding to Global Crises: An Insider's Briefing on Foreign Policy Hotspots" at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition's 2014 State Leadership Conference.  Also participating were (l to r) former U.S. Rep. Vin Weber; Lt. Gen. Kip Ward, USA (Ret.); moderator Steve Clemons, the Washington editor at large for The Atlantic; Santorum; and Rick Barton, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations. 

The USGLC is a network that seeks to advance America's use of smart power in foreign policy and specifically focuses on working to support a strong International Affairs Budget. 

Santorum said he saw "a growing level of isolationism" in the Republican Party, coming not only from the libertarian wing but also from social conservatives who are wary of such issues as global warming.  He recalled that the reason PEPFAR—the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which provided $15 billion to counter AIDS from 2003-08—worked is it "stayed away from the hot button issues."

Asked about the highest priority area for U.S. aid efforts, Santorum pointed to "real failure in Central and South America," and cited the adage "take care of your backyard first."  Asked about the U.S. brand and trust, Santorum said "we've let our allies down consistently over the last six years."
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