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Which country was mentioned most at the foreign-policy debate?

Answer: Iran. For evidence that the United States is still disproportionately focused on the Middle East despite all the talk about the pivot (or should I say "strategic rebalancing?") toward the Asia-Pacific region, look no further than the country mentions at tonight’s foreign-policy debate: Iran: 47 China: 35 Israel: 34 Afghanistan: 29 Syria: 28 Pakistan: ...

| October 23, 2012, 2:24 AM

Answer: Iran.

For evidence that the United States is still disproportionately focused on the Middle East despite all the talk about the pivot (or should I say "strategic rebalancing?") toward the Asia-Pacific region, look no further than the country mentions at tonight’s foreign-policy debate:

Iran: 47
China: 35
Israel: 34
Afghanistan: 29
Syria: 28
Pakistan: 25
Iraq: 22
Libya: 12
Egypt: 11
Russia: 10
Mali: 4
Turkey: 3
Great Britain/United Kingdom: 2
Greece: 2
Lebanon: 2
Saudi Arabia: 2
Cuba: 1
France: 1
North Korea: 1
Qatar: 1
Somalia: 1
Yemen: 1

The surprise of the night? Romney’s four references to Mali (in the context of al Qaeda’s resurgence), a country he hasn’t mentioned in his major foreign-policy addresses or even in his campaign website’s Africa section. The Republican candidate clearly studied up on al Qaeda’s new franchises.

Update: Thanks to our readers for spotting a few other country mentions. The candidates and moderator also referenced Japan, Poland, and Tunisia — one time each.

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Tag: Election 2012