In London on Tuesday , Texas Gov . Rick Perry called for more Western involvement in Syria to fight ISIS , and praised the U.S. 's British allies for everything from their love of defending freedom to the boy band One Direction . Perry 's foreign policy address at the Royal United Services Institute , a British national security think tank , was greeted with laughs and applause -- especially when he highlighted reasons Americans get along so well with their English-speaking friends across the pond . `` It 's not just because to Americans , you always sound so darn smart and refined no matter what you 're saying , '' he said . `` And it 's not just because of your many cultural exports from James Bond to Julie Andrews to Simon Cowell to One Direction -- well , that might be a bit of a mixed bag . So many good things in the world began in Britain , and so many good things in the world to this day depend on Britain . '' Perry 's stop in London comprises the first leg of his European excursion this week , which also includes visits to Germany , Poland and Ukraine . The purpose of his trip is to explore trade opportunities between Texas and the European countries , according to a press release from Perry 's office . His decision to travel away from Texas as a second case of Ebola was diagnosed there has drawn the ire of top Texas Democratic party operative Will Hailer , who called the governor an `` irresponsible leader , '' according to Bloomberg news . Perry , referring to himself as a `` proud patriotic Texan , '' outlined a moral argument in favor of robust Western intervention in Syria by drawing a stark contrast between the `` so-called religious warriors of ISIS '' and the `` special strength and character '' of Western forces . `` To see to it that security is defended -- that is what is required of Western nations and the great alliances we have formed , '' he said , admitting that the overseas conflict `` will draw heavily on our wealth , our will and our wisdom . '' `` The plainest imperative of all is the resources we commit to the common defense , holding nothing back if it will better insure our security . '' He called out his political adversaries at home -- and even the United Nations -- for their reluctance to get involved in foreign affairs . `` This attitude of cultural relativism , it certainly does n't approve of harsher violent actions , '' he said , `` but it does question the right of Britain , the U.S. or other western powers to do anything about it . '' Toward the latter half of his address , Perry got emotional about the plight of innocent people living in the Middle Eastern war zone , lowering his voice and pausing periodically for effect . `` Who can not identify with the mother or the father running with their baby , or with an elderly woman who is struggling to keep up with the others ? '' he asked , drawing similarities between Syrian civilians and victims of bombings over London during World War II . `` Who ca n't identify with the children who got away but saw what happened to their parents ? '' `` And when they look up and they see and RAF or a Danish or an American bomber , they feel precisely as you and I would feel . The sight must seem like an answer to a prayer , a prayer that can be understood in every faith : Save my family . Save my home . Save my village . Save me from this evil . ''
Ukraine Gov . Simon Cowell delivered a foreign policy speech on ISIS in London . He highlighted the strong relationship between Texas and the U.S . This is the first leg of a ISIS tour that includes stops in Texas and Poland .