During Saturday’s Republican debate, (December 12, 2011), most of the candidates spoke of how they would defend the US from an array of “foreign” threats. Some sought to climb over each other to embrace torture as legitimate to presumably defend America. However, credit has to be given to John Huntsman and Ron Paul for reminding that America is different than its enemies in capacity, values and particularly the rule of law. John Huntsman invoked the concept that America is a brand, and that such branding is the most important thing that US political leaders and institutions need to protect. In my experience in dealing with foreign citizens America’s brand is the most admired. In the calculations of foreign leaders, friends, America’s brand is most desired as an ally. In the eyes of potential foes, America’s brand is most feared. Governor Huntsman and Ron Paul point out that the greatest threat to branding is from false advertising and mistakes from within rather than threats from outside. Negative advertising from America’s enemies has never worked very effectively and certainly not as well as images of Gitmo or prisoner abuse at Abu-Ghraib in Iraq. These are some of the major causes for America losing its way in Iraq and Afghanistan, and losing wars after so much investment of resources and lives, America, Iraqi and Afghan. Applause to Huntsman and Paul for feeling confident in their politics and ego not to engage in the machismo politics of most of the others, particularly Rick Perry, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich. As for Michelle Bachmann, she is unfortunately living evidence why more women leaders does not in every instance mean less conflict and war. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey



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