At a time when the national debt is at record levels and the economy is still struggling to recover from recession, domestic issues have dominated this election season. However, with the foreign policy debate only a few weeks away, the candidates are now starting to roll out their stances on foreign affairs as well. Republican Mitt Romney gave a speech Monday that laid out his vision for a fresh start in the Middle East and criticized the president for failing to lead in the region. "When we look at the Middle East today, with Iran closer than ever to nuclear weapons capability, with the conflict in Syria threatening to destabilize the region, and with violent extremists on the march, and with an American ambassador and three others dead likely at the hands of al-Qaida affiliates, it is clear that the risk of conflict in the region is higher now than when the president took office," he said. The Democratic camp fired back, saying Romney is not being honest about his policy towards Israel. While Romney told donors last May that separate Palestinian and Israeli states were almost unthinkable, he recently said that he would commit himself to making that happen. This comes less than a month before the general election, and after the first presidential debate, which Romney dominated. Polls show that the former governor is gaining ground on the president, putting more pressure on them both to perform well at their next two debates. Quotes "I want to be very clear. The blame for the murder of our people in Libya, and the attacks on our embassies in so many other countries, lies solely with those who carried them out -- no one else. But it is our responsibility and the responsibility of the president to use America's great power to shape history, not to lead from behind, leaving our destiny at the mercy of events," - Mitt Romney. "Mr. Romney, here's a little advice. Before you debate Barack Obama on foreign policy, you better finish the debate with yourself," - Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. Warm Up Questions 1. What is the difference between domestic and foreign policy? 2. What are some examples of foreign policy issues? Discussion Questions 1. Who would you trust to do a better job with foreign policy, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Why? 2. Is foreign policy important this election? Why or why not? 3. What do you think is the most important issue in foreign policy today? Why? Additional Resources Video Transcript Presidential Debates Could Be Pivotal for Obama and Romney Why Did a YouTube Film Spark Mideast Riots? Understanding and Hosting a Post-Presidential Debate Download this Video