PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says U.S. foreign policy should not be conducted “at the mercy of events” overseas. He also says the death of a U.S. ambassador in Libya and unrest in the Middle East are more than just bumps in the road.

Romney was referencing President Barack Obama comments during a “60 Minutes” interview broadcast Sunday. During the program, Obama said it was clear there would be “bumps in the road” for Arab countries going through the transition to democracy.

Both Egypt and Libya have faced upheaval during the Arab Spring.

Romney said Iran’s nuclear ambitions, anti-American protests in Pakistan and the civil war in Syria also shouldn’t be characterized as bumps.

The Republican presidential nominee spoke Monday in Pueblo, Colo., before a trip to New York.

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