The Kevin Roberts Show with Larry O’Connor The Military Index: A Guidebook for Policymakers | The Kevin Roberts Show with Larry O’Connor
Mar 11, 2026
Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation and conservative national security leader, discusses the 2026 Index of Military Strength. He covers improvements in morale and the Marine Corps, the Two-Major-Regional-Conflict benchmark, munitions and stockpile concerns from Ukraine aid, regional priorities like China and the Western Hemisphere, and smart spending for long-term readiness.
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Support For Short Term Action Against Iran
- Heritage and Kevin Roberts fully support the strike on Iran but stress it must be short term and not morph into nation-building.
- Roberts calls it ending a forever war, urging public support while reminding officials to avoid constitutional overreach.
Restoring Peace Through Strength As Policy
- Restoring Peace Through Strength means funding the most lethal and efficient military to deter conflicts.
- Kevin Roberts links the phrase to Reagan and argues Heritage's index shows exactly which systems policymakers must prioritize.
Marginal Rating Reflects Rapid Turnaround
- Heritage moved the U.S. military grade from weak to marginal in one year after reinvestment and leadership changes.
- Kevin Roberts credits the Trump administration's early actions and increased morale for the quick improvement.