Last Friday, Florida governor Ron DeSantis presented a detailed national-security strategy in a broad, public foreign-policy speech in Washington, D.C. As is his habit, the presentation was well-organized, logical, and structured around two common themes: that American interests must be prioritized above those of other nations, and that China is the principal threat to those interests now and into the future.

The speech went beyond the standard policy statements that have become far too common for modern political candidates. Instead, DeSantis enunciated specific goals that he would pursue as president. There was more than a hint of a brilliant lawyer, which DeSantis is, making his case before a listening judge, the American people, and it had resonance for those who are increasingly paying attention to national security following the Hamas terrorist massacre of some 1,400 Israelis on October 7. This event could turn the coming election from the domestic-policy focus on the economy and immigration that had been in effect to a foreign-policy/commander-in-chief election based on the rising international threat.

[DeSantis wants to embark on a big buildout for the Navy’s surface fleet, the key to projecting deterrence in the Pacific. Be sure to check it out. — Ed]