Taking It To The Enemy

Third, the United States needs to expand its military. For too long, the U.S. armed services have been asked to do more with less. The notion that the end of the cold war would allow the United States to greatly cut its forces, paying a "peace dividend," was a big mistake. Washington adopted peacetime levels of defense spending. Yet it is now fighting a global war and should act accordingly by reversing the cuts.

I've proposed adding at least 10 new combat brigades to the U.S. Army. As president, I'd expand the Navy to more than 300 ships, both to maintain its current role as a guarantor of seaborne commerce and to intercept possible weapons proliferation. I'd also ensure that the Air Force has the refueling tankers it needs, and I'd build a new long-range bomber to replace the aging B-52. I've proposed the creation of a new hybrid military-civilian Stability and Reconstruction Expeditionary Corps that would help failing nations and prevent the emergence of new terrorist safe havens. Iraq has shown that America must get better at winning the peace as well as the war; this new corps should make that possible.

Finally, the United States needs to start focusing on winning the war of ideas and strengthening America's reputation around the world. America has a compelling case to make: its values of freedom and democracy have transformed the globe. But it needs to do a better job of communicating this message—not imposing ideas on others, but by appealing to their enlightened self-interest and extending to them the benefits of the global marketplace. The more trade and cultural exchanges the United States enjoys with other countries, the greater the likelihood that all sides will learn to understand each other.

America has successfully waged a war of ideas in the past. Through the Voice of America and "surrogate" stations like Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, the country spoke to the hopes and interests of people trapped in closed societies. It helped show them other possibilities. It encouraged critical thinking. And it helped undermine and delegitimize the top-down ideologies of repressive rulers. America helped oppressed peoples find their own way to freedom. And it can do so again.

I'm optimistic as I look to the future. I know America and its allies will defeat the terrorists. The 20th century showed that the world is safest when nations stand up to terrorists, tyrants and bullies. Together, we have learned that only principled strength can lead to realistic peace.

Giuliani was mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001 and is a candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States.

© 2007