Republicans battle over whether we should even talk to Vladimir Putin, China

Republicans debate talking to U.S. enemies

(Image credit: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

published 17 September 2015

CNN's Jake Tapper asked the 11 Republicans at the GOP debate about Russia's aggression in Syria, and that sparked a heated debate about whether America should even be talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, or any of America's other adversaries. Donald Trump said that not only would he talk with Putin, we would "get along, I think, with Putin, and I will get along with others."

Carly Fiorina had the most vehement response, arguing that as president, she wouldn't even talk with Putin:

Later, in the debate, she added that the second phone call a President Fiorina would make would be to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) called the premise of ignoring the world, both friendly and not friendly corners, "absurd."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.