2012 Indiana Senate Debates: on Foreign Policy


Richard Lugar: Russia is neither friend nor foe; just an important country

Mourdock and Lugar differed in their responses to a question on whether Russia is a U.S. friend or foe. "Russia is neither friend nor foe; it is an important country with whom we have to deal," Lugar said. "I'd say we have come a long way since the Cold War." Lugar, ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Russia remains "an authoritarian government" and that the U.S. should employ "very strong diplomacy" with its leaders while working with Russian dissidents to advance democracy and human rights.

"I think they are more foe than friend," Mourdock said, accusing Russia of aiding the governments of Iran and Syria and continuing to occupy former Soviet satellite Georgia. Lugar said Mourdock was wrong to suggest Russia is diverting funds from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty to help anti-American regimes in the Mideast.

Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on 2012 Indiana Senate debate Apr 12, 2012

Richard Mourdock: Russia is more foe than friend

Mourdock took a harder line than Lugar on Russia, saying the country is "more foe than friend" after Lugar said the country was neither. And Mourdock suggested Lugar didn't understand the meaning of "fungible" when the senator pushed back against Mourdock's assertion that U.S. funds to Russia are reaching potential enemies.
Source: ABC News coverage of 2012 Indiana Senate debates Apr 12, 2012

Richard Mourdock: Russia is more foe than friend; they aid our enemies

Mourdock and Lugar differed in their responses to a question on whether Russia is a U.S. friend or foe. "Russia is neither friend nor foe; it is an important country with whom we have to deal," Lugar said. "I'd say we have come a long way since the Cold War." Lugar, ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Russia remains "an authoritarian government" and that the U.S. should employ "very strong diplomacy" with its leaders while working with Russian dissidents to advance democracy and human rights.

"I think they are more foe than friend," Mourdock said, accusing Russia of aiding the governments of Iran and Syria and continuing to occupy former Soviet satellite Georgia. Lugar said Mourdock was wrong to suggest Russia is diverting funds from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty to help anti-American regimes in the Mideast.

Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on 2012 Indiana Senate debate Apr 12, 2012

  • The above quotations are from 2012 Indiana Senate Debate.
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