Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on China, Iran, Israel and other key foreign issues

On issues of foreign policy and national security, stopping Iran, supporting Israel, and standing up to China are three themes GOP candidates are using to hammer at what they consider President Obama’s weakness and highlight what they hope will be seen as their own toughness.

But Americans don't seem to see Mr. Obama as particularly soft, and even many Republican leaders rank Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as the administration's best asset. Take a look at where each of the GOP hopefuls stands on foreign policy and national security issues.

- Howard LaFranchi, Staff writer

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Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks during a business forum, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, in Greenville, S.C. (Rainier Ehrhardt/AP)

5. Newt Gingrich

China

As speaker, strongly supported increased US trade with China. Now warns of consequences for US independence of China holding trillions of dollars of US debt.

Middle East

Supports “regime replacement” in Iran and calls country’s nuclear program only a symptom of a bigger problem of ruling ayatollahs. Insists he could topple regime in a year by “overtly sabotaging” it but only using military intervention as a last resort.

Terrorism

Says US is losing war on terror. Blasts Obama administration notion that Al Qaeda is on the ropes. Would grant FBI “extraordinary” tools to take on growing domestic terrorism but says that should not worry law-abiding citizens. Considers counterinsurgency doctrine ill-suited to Afghanistan, but opposes Obama’s withdrawal timetable as too rapid.