The third and final presidential debate will focus on foreign policy, an aspect former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is looking to use against President Barack Obama.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), the organizers for the debates, selected the theme of foreign policy as well as the moderator for the debate. The CPD chose Bob Schieffer to moderate the 90-minute debate.
Schieffer, of CBS News, was delegated to select the six foreign policy topics for the final debate.
- America's role in the world,
- Our longest war - Afghanistan and Pakistan,
- Red Lines: Israel and Iran,
- The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism I,
- The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism II,
- The Rise of China and Tomorrow's World.
The topics are subject to change as news develops but based on the topics and could be asked in random order, several questions are already likely to be asked.
For "America's role in the world," Schieffer is likely to ask about Obama's foreign policies and if it has worked during his first term. Romney has already made it that Obama's foreign policy is "a failure," noting the death of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
The death of the ambassador is likely to be an early question during the debate and how relations with Libya and Egypt will improve.
The Obama administration has been criticized at how they handled the death of Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans, such as not providing extra security despite requests from the embassy and the delay to declare the events of the Americans' deaths as a terrorist attack.
Another aspect to consider for the first topic is how the US is handling the economic crisis in Europe and what the Obama administration has or will plan to do to ease the situation.
For the second topic, "Our longest war - Afghanistan and Pakistan," it will also test Obama's foreign policy decision for a 2014 timeline to leave Afghanistan.
The topic was discussed during the vice presidential debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Romney's running mate Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. Both candidates believe the 2014 timeline work but Republicans believe announcing it publicly would give enemies the advantage.
Pakistan has become a delicate issue as well as Osama bin Laden was found and killed in the country. Neighboring Afghanistan, Pakistan has been referred to as a "safe-haven" for terrorist who can easily enter Afghanistan through the north.
The use of drones is also likely to be brought up, which has killed targets in Pakistan despite the country's opposition against it.
The "Red Lines: Israel and Iran" lead into the subject on who supports Israel the most. Republicans have accused the Obama administration creating a colder relationship with Israel, which is considered as the only democratic ally in the Middle East.
Schieffer's decision to use the term "Red Lines" comes from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly's General Debate where he showed a diagram depicting how far Iran is from obtaining nuclear weapons. Netanyahu drew a red line depicting the level where Iran should be considered a threat.
Therefore, questions about Iran's nuclear enrichment plans will be brought up and how it should be dealt with. It is also likely to see Palestine mentioned in this topic.
The next two topics are split into two: "The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism I" and "The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism II."
The questions expected to arise from both topics are the progression of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, and Egypt, although the latter of the two are located in Northern Africa.
The subject of Syria has not been heavily discussed in previous debates, but both candidates believe the current regime has to go and the violenec on its citizens need to end.
For the new face of terrorism aspect, it could be another opportunity for Romney to discuss the events of Ambassador Stevens, now that his death is considered a terrorist attack.
The final topic of "The Rise of China and Tomorrow's World" will heavily feature the economy.
As seen during the second presidential debate, the role of China has been brought up in terms of how they "manipulate" their currency according to Romney and jobs being outsourced to the communist country.
Schieffer is likely to follow up on jobs being outsourced to China, the role of manufacturers, the role taxes and regulations play on big business, and the amount of debt China has purchased from the US.
The final presidential debate will be on Monday, Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. ET from the battleground state of Florida.
According to the CPD, the format of the debate is as follows: "The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the topic."
Latinos Post will provide live stream as the debate date approaches.
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