Rep. Jason Chaffetz goes global to learn foreign policy

SALT LAKE CITY — Add Tunisia to the list of places Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has visited to learn about foreign policy.

It's a list that already included Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Germany, Guantanamo Bay and Israel.

Chaffetz returned Monday from a weeklong trip to Tunisia during Congress' Memorial Day recess. The trip, sponsored by the nonpartisan Aspen Institute, included U.S. congressmen and senators from both major parties.

Chaffetz said he felt his foreign policy expertise was weak, and he was working efforts to beef up his knowledge.

"Those are some of the most important votes you cast," he said.

Chaffetz said the week gave him access to experts from Europe and the U.S. who could talk about foreign policy relating to Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan and how Islam fits into the equation.

He said the structured discussions and debates challenged him to stay true to his principles.

"I'm still very deeply concerned about sending 100,000 U.S. troops into Afghanistan," he said. "If we're going to be successful, we have to look through a lens that includes the military but understands other parts of the culture. We can't go with guns blazing everywhere in the world."

He said Iran presents particular challenges, because its ambitions to become a nuclear power are never going away.

"There are no bumper sticker solutions," he said.

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