Foreign Policy Questions That Should Be Asked In Tonight's Presidential Debate

Given that the first U.S. presidential debate will occur a few short hours from now, what follows are some questions that I feel should be asked of Senators McCain and Obama regarding U.S. foreign policy. Obviously, the questions asked of the candidates will not sound exactly like the ones I suggest, and the debate will most likely not be long enough to deal with all of them; I'm simply endorsing a few templates.

(* Note: Though tonight's debate is supposed to center on foreign policy, it is only natural that questions regarding the American economy would also be asked, given the presently choppy economic waters through which both the U.S. and other world markets are attempting to navigate. I would suggest, however, that this presents an opportunity for the candidates to show the various critical links between U.S. foreign policy and the state of the U.S. economy, of which there are many.)

HASSLINGTON'S DEBATE QUESTIONS

1A.) If you had to point to one country or geographical location, where would you suggest is the central front in the fight against international terrorism? Why?
1B.) If you had to point to one or two places in addition to the first one you named, where would they be and why are they almost or equally as important as the first?

2A.) What has the Bush Administration done correctly regarding the scenario in Iraq? Why? (Try to find at least one thing they've done correctly.)
2B.) What has the Bush Administration done incorrectly regarding the scenario in Iraq? Why? (Try to find at least one thing they've done incorrectly.)
2C.) How would you handle the scenario in Iraq, after your are sworn in as president? Why? Be specific.

3A.) Iran is an important player in regards to the Iraq scenario, as well as on its own. How would you rate the Bush Administration's performance regarding Iran? Why?
3B.) How will you handle the Iran scenario? Why? Be specific.

4A.) What has the Bush Administration done correctly regarding the scenario in Afghanistan? Why? (Try to find at least one thing they've done correctly.)
4B.) What has the Bush Administration done incorrectly regarding the scenario in Afghanistan? Why? (Try to find at least one thing they've done incorrectly.)
4C.) How would you hand the scenario in Afghanistan, after you are sworn in as president? Why? Be specific.

5A.) Pakistan is an important player in regards to Afghanistan, as well as on its own. How would you rate the Bush Administration's performance regarding Pakistan? Why?
5B.) How will you handle the Pakistan scenario? Why? Be specific.

6.) Explain the present scenario regarding Russia, its neighbors, and U.S. foreign policy, and what you will do regarding Russia once you are sworn in as president. Be specific.

7.) How will you strengthen cultural, diplomatic, economic, and military ties between the U.S. and its European allies? Be specific.

8.) What is the present situation in North Korea, and how will you deal with it? Be specific.

9.) China is in many ways a partner of the United States, but it is also in many ways a competitor. Describe the present state of U.S./Chinese relations, and then describe as specifically as possible where and how you will take U.S./Chinese relations from this point forward, as well as why.

10.) There are many other very important regions in the world. Please name what you consider to be one other very strategically-important region of the world, why that region is important for the U.S., and where and how you will take U.S. relations with that part of the world from this point forward, as well as why.