Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) ended his bid for the Republican presidential nomination late last week, saying he will now channel the energy of his presidential campaign into “long-term efforts to take back our country.” Paul has said he will not endorse presumptive Republican nominee John McCain. Paul, whose campaign enjoyed massive grassroots political support, advocated a series of libertarian political and economic reforms. He called for a decidedly non-interventionist approach to international affairs.

Here is a review of his main views on foreign policy matters:

• Paul adamantly opposed the war in Iraq, and was one of only six House Republicans to vote against its authorization in 2002. “The sooner we withdraw the better,” he wrote on the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the war.
• He also opposed U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan.
• Paul criticizes neoconservatives pushing for the use of force against Iran. He is skeptical of reasons given to justify war with that country, saying Iran is not going to attack Israel and is “nowhere close” to getting a nuclear weapon.
• He also opposes the distribution of U.S. foreign aid, particularly to Israel and other Middle Eastern countries.
• Throughout the campaign, Paul said the problem of illegal immigration cannot be solved “until we have a healthy, thriving economy.” He advocated a physical tightening of the U.S. borders and opposed amnesty and welfare for immigrants.
• Paul voted against the USA Patriot Act and has been critical of other infringements on Americans’ civil liberties.