Cruz on national security: Dictators OK, gun control not

Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz is defending Middle East dictators as useful allies against Islamic extremists. He’s also decrying political correctness and stricter gun laws as an impediment to national security.

The first-term Texas senator described an “America under attack” during national security speech to a conservative think tank.

He reinforces his view that global security depends upon an aggressive and engaged America — with distinct limits. Cruz opposes sending additional US ground troops to confront the Islamic State group. He prefers to intensify the US-led air campaign and arm regional allies.

He lashes out at President Obama for favoring gun control measures to help address the explosion of mass shootings in America. He also attacked the president’s reluctance to use the term, “radical Islamic terrorism.”

— AP