President Ronald Reagan's approach to America's national defense, which successfully confronted the Soviet Union and ended the Cold War, is as essential today as it was then: Peace through strength -- an enduring peace, based on freedom and the will to defend it. Today, it requires defending America's homeland, including remaining vigilant in confronting global terrorism, maintaining a robust defense against threats arising from nuclear proliferation, including a strong ballistic missile defense for America and our allies, and promoting an effective, capable intelligence community. It requires a full commitment to America's Armed Forces to ensure they are modern, agile and adaptable to the unpredictable range of challenges in the years ahead. And it requires a sustained international effort, which complements our military activities, to develop and maintain alliances and relationships that will lead to greater peace and stability. While the United States participates in various international organizations which can serve the cause of peace and prosperity, they must never substitute for principled American leadership nor prevent America from joining with other democracies to protect our vital national interests.

LT. COL. ALLEN WEST, FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE & GOP RISING STAR: