Former Missouri Sen. Jim Talent is joining potential presidential candidate Mitt Romney this week in the Middle East.
Talent spokeswoman Katie Smith says he was in Dubai this weekend for meetings facilitated by the Heritage Foundation, for whom Talent has a fellowship specializing in military readiness. Talent will join Romney this week to meet with leaders in Israel and Jordan.
Talent served as an adviser to Romney when the former Massachusetts governor ran for president in 2008. Romney is considering another presidential bid in 2012.
Talent is considering whether to challenge Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill next year. McCaskill narrowly defeated Talent in 2006. So far, former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman is the only Republican to declare her Senate candidacy.