It is an honor for me to be with you today. This room is full of men and women who have faced the evil of Communism directly, who have persevered in bleak times, and who understand that the triumph of liberty depends on the extraordinary bravery of ordinary people. Looking back over the last century, we see this brand of bravery where dictators at the time thought least to look. We saw it in a shipyard worker in Gdansk, who became a prisoner before he became a president. We saw it in a... Read More

Ending America's Retreat, Restoring America's Military Dominance Senator Tom Cotton (Remarks as Prepared for Delivery) I I speak today for the first time from the Senate floor with a simple message: the world is growing ever more dangerous, and our defense spending is wholly inadequate to confront the danger.  To be exact, "During the last four or five years the world has grown gravely darker.... We have steadily disarmed, partly with a sincere desire to give a lead to other countries, and... Read More

  This week we will debate the budget.  A key part is the millitary budget--the one part of our government where the strategy and threats must drive the budget not vice versa.  The gravest threat to our national security is a nuclear-armed Iran, and this man, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran.   Last week marked Nowruz, the beginning of the Persian New Year.  On the occasion, we were treated to speeches by President Obama and Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah... Read More

  Thank you for that warm introduction. I understand this is your first public event as President of the U.S. Institute of Peace—I hope I make you proud! Thank you also for the opportunity to be with you today to discuss the way forward in Afghanistan.  I'm grateful to the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Alliance in Support of the Afghan People for providing this forum, as well as for your work to promote a stable, peaceful Afghanistan that's an ally in the war against al Qaeda... Read More