A strong defense and diplomacy that understands both the nature of our adversaries and the power of free people and free markets to remake the world are the cornerstone of a national security policy that can keep the peace, promote international stability, and protect American interests against numerous and diverse threats.
Violent Islamic extremism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to regimes, such as Iran, that share with terrorists a hatred of the West is the most dangerous threat we face today. International efforts to negotiate an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions failed for the obvious reason: the Iranian regime would rather have nuclear weapons than an improved relationship with the West. Should they succeed in acquiring them it would trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, and greatly increase the danger that terrorists come into possession of weapons of mass destruction. With or without the cooperation of Russia and China, the United States and its allies should impose serious economic sanctions on Iran that stand a better chance of dissuading them from continuing on this dangerous course, and, if not, potentially undermine their already weakened hold on power.
We must continue to fight terrorism as a war and not just a law enforcement matter. It is a mistake to close the prison at Guantanamo and relocate captured terrorists to U.S. soil. It is also a mistake to use the federal courts to prosecute terrorists. Military tribunals were conceived to adjudicate these cases without compromising U.S. intelligence or endangering Americans by holding terrorist trials in our cities. And while terrorists would receive a fair hearing in military courts, they would not be afforded the rights and privileges of American citizens or lawful combatants.
I agree with the President Obama’s decision to increase U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and employ a counter-insurgency strategy to defeat the Taliban and al Qaeda there, and prevent terrorists from re-establishing a haven in Afghanistan to train and plan attacks against the U.S. and our allies. We should not, however, impose an arbitrary deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. We have the right military leadership, the right strategy and the best fighting force in the world in Afghanistan to achieve success. But success, and not a deadline set for political reasons, should be our exit strategy.
It is right and important for the United States to remain a leader in promoting a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But we must always keep in mind that a just and lasting settlement cannot be achieved until Palestinians and Israel’s Arab neighbors renounce violence and accept Israel’s right to exist.
Homeland security begins with secure borders. But our border with Mexico remains far too vulnerable not only to illegal immigrants looking for work but to drug traffickers and terrorists. Violence by Mexican drug cartels in the cities and communities closest to our border has spiraled out of control and threatens to spill over into the U.S. The government must focus its attention and increase the resources it employs, both manpower and advanced technology, to combat this growing danger to our security.