The former New York City mayor announced last week that he had assembled a team of foreign policy advisers featuring several prominent neoconservatives, including one of the movement's founders, Norman Podhoretz.
In addition to being an unwavering supporter of the war against Iraq, Podhoretz, a former editor of Commentary magazine, has grabbed headlines in recent months as one of most vocal proponents of American military action against Iran.
The eight-member advisory panel also includes several figures with experience in Israeli affairs.
Giuliani's chief foreign policy adviser, Charles Hill, served as a top aide to Secretary of State George Shultz in the Reagan administration and once served as political counselor to the American Embassy in Tel Aviv.
The team also includes Martin Kramer, who is an expert on Islam at Harvard University and a fellow with both the pro-Israel Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Jerusalem-based Shalem Center.
These selections show Giuliani is "very serious about his approach to ensuring the security and safety of Israel," said Ben Chouake, head of the pro-Israel political action committee Norpac.
In recent weeks, Arizona Senator John McCain has seen an exodus of staff in the wake of disappointing second-quarter fundraising, while the buzz surrounding a near-certain bid by former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson continues to build.
Both McCain and Giuliani have turned to Republican heavy-hitters for foreign policy advice.
While McCain does not have an official team, he has said publicly that he consults with Henry Kissinger, Brent Scowcroft, Robert Kagan, George Schultz, Lawrence Eagleburger, William Kristol and Robert Zoellick.
In recent months, Podhoretz has written and spoken out forcefully against the Iranian regime, and argued that ultimately, military confrontation will prove necessary.
"I believe," Podhoretz told the Israeli broadcasting authority May 21, "contrary to what many people assume, that [Bush] will [attack Iran] before he leaves office."
He added, "I think he agrees with the analysis that I offer that there is no alternative to military action."
The Giuliani campaign did not respond to an inquiry from the Forward about whether the former mayor believes that military action against Tehran is necessary.
Giuliani is hanging on as the leading candidate among Republicans nationwide, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released this month.
He has the support of 21 percent to Fred Thompson's 19 percent.
This article originally appeared in the Forward (www.forward.com) and is reprinted with permission.
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