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With less than three weeks to go before the presidential election, U.S. Republican Mitt Romney has closed the gap with President Barack Obama.
The online survey of likely voters found Obama and Romney were each supported by 46 percent of the electorate as they prepare for their final televised debate on Monday night. It will focus almost exclusively on foreign policy. CCTV correspondent Nina Donaghy looks at what we can expect in this third and final face-to-face encounter.
Hints of direct talks between the us and Iran - a new report from the New York Times says the Obama administration has paved the way for unprecedented dialogue on Irans nuclear ambitions - quickly shot down by the white house - but given some credence from governor Romneys debate partner.
"Its another example of a national security leak from the White House. You know, theyve done a lot of that. But look, I think what youre gonna see is Governor Romney laying out a clear vision for how to get Iran to do the right thing, which is to stop its progress toward a nuclear weapon."
The Iran question indivisible from Americas relationship with Israel - if Iran reaches a level of nuclear sophistication that the us or Israel can no longer tolerate.
Mike OHanlon, Brookings Institution, said, "In the opening 3 - 6 months of 2013 you could see an American president face a moment of great presidential loneliness and difficulty on whether or not to authorize an American military strike on Irans nuclear facilities."
Romney enjoys a close friendship Israels prime minister. Obamas is much cooler - and his attempts to revive the us - led peace process have failed.
Obama ended the war in Iraq and favors international coalitions - ruling out an intervention in Syria. but Romney says hes diminished American military influence and diplomatic capital around the world - failing to respond to the challenges of a changing Middle East.
In last weeks debate the two clashed repeatedly on who would take the strongest stance on China.
"Youre the last person whos going to be tough on China."
Mike OHanlon, Brookings Institution, said, "The United States has rebalanced towards Asia in the last two years of the Obama presidency and thats implied a certain firmness in dealing with China."
But Romney will say hes been too accommodating to Chinas leaders - and not tough enough on trade.
In central and south Asia - Obamas pentagon has killed bin laden and his CIA is stepping up drone missions - but the president will likely to paint Romney as a warmonger.
Barack Obama said, "Weve got a debate on Monday on foreign policy, and Im very interested in seeing what governor Romney has to say about that. You know, he said that it was tragic the way i ended the war in Iraq. Last week he said we should still have troops in Iraq. "
Afghanistan is drawing down - but a spate of attacks targeting us troops training their afghan counterparts and a resurgent Taliban on the Pakistan border will leave any American president facing challenges.
We can also expect pronounced differences on relations with Russia - Romney wants the US to be more assertive - and on defence spending - with Romney calling for an increase for the us military and missile defence. |
