Ron Paul to launch foreign policy institute

Catalina Camia, USA TODAY | USATODAY

Ron Paul's post-congressional life is about to include a new project devoted to foreign policy.

The former Texas lawmaker, GOP presidential candidate and libertarian hero is launching the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, aimed at advancing a non-interventionist foreign policy and civil liberties.

"The neo-conservative era is dead," reads the media advisory announcing the project on Paul's Facebook page. "The ill-advised policies pushed by the neo-cons have everywhere led to chaos and destruction, and to a hatred of the United States and its people."

Paul, who retired from Congress in January, was criticized by his GOP presidential rivals in 2012 for his views on foreign policy, particularly his hands-off approach when it came to Iran and its nuclear ambitions. He once said tougher sanctions on Iran would amount to "acts of war" and often said the United States should adopt a "golden rule" in its foreign policy.

Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum often sparred with Paul about foreign policy during the GOP debates. Santorum once likened Paul to a noted anti-war politician, saying in a TV interview that the Texan belonged in the "Dennis Kucinich wing of the Democratic Party."

Paul and Kucinich, also an ex-presidential candidate, are indeed kindred spirits. Kucinich is going to be on the Ron Paul Institute's board of directors and has been invited to speak at the kickoff news conference Wednesday in Washington.