WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Touting his own extensive diplomatic experience, Democratic presidential candidate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson sharply criticized the Bush administration's approach to international policy Thursday and called for a new strategy.

"President Bush doesn't seem to understand that success in foreign policy requires both a strong military and smart diplomacy," Richardson said during an address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "Because while diplomacy without power is weak, power without diplomacy is blind."

Describing a world confronted with the threat of nuclear and other forms of terrorism, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations stressed that America must work to rebuild good relationships with other countries and not shy away from talking to unfriendly regimes.

"I have stood toe-to-toe with some of the world's toughest customers, including Saddam, Castro, the North Koreans and, most recently, the Sudanese leader Bashir," Richardson said. "I have gotten all these tough guys to do what I wanted them to do because I put my disdain for them aside, and talked to them."

"You need to know your enemy if you want him to cooperate," he added.