Republican presidential contender Ron Paul is back in Iowa, running strongly in the polls and questioning why the U.S. needs troops in former Cold War hot spots. In an appearance Wednesday in Newton, the Texas Congressman strongly suggested U.S. forces be withdrawn from South Korea, Japan and Germany. The 76-year-old obstetrician also drew laughs when he said that American troops have been in Korea since he was in high school. Paul GOP presidential rivals have attacked him this week for allegedly not caring whether Iran obtains a nuclear weapon.

Ron Paul will campaign in both Atlantic and Council Bluffs today. He’s scheduled to hold a town hall meeting at the Cass County Community Center, beginning at 3:00 p.m.  Afterward, Paul travels to the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs,  for another town hall meeting, at 7:00 p.m.