Rick Perry amped up his foreign policy resume ahead of a likely 2016 presidential campaign with a visit to London.
The Texas governor called for more Western involvement in the battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in a speech at the Royal United Services Institute Tuesday, a British national security think tank, according to CNN.
“To see to it that security is defended — that is what is required of Western nations and the great alliances we have formed,” he said, stating his belief that the conflict “will draw heavily on our wealth, our will and our wisdom.”
“The plainest imperative of all is the resources we commit to the common defense, holding nothing back if it will better insure our security,” he said.
London is the first stop of Perry’s European tour this week, which also includes visits to Germany, Poland and Ukraine. The trip is a chance for the governor to discuss economic development and American energy with leaders from each country, according to a press release from his office.
Perry, who ran for president in 2012, is currently polling sixth in a RealClearPolitics average of polls.
