From the Heritage Foundation, I'm Michelle Cordero, and this is Heritage Explains.

Deterrence means simply this. Making sure any adversary who thinks about attacking the United States

or our allies or our vital interests

concludes that the risks to him outweigh any potential gains.

Once he understands that, he won't attack.

We maintain the peace through our strength.

Weakness only invites aggression.

Stakes were high in the Cold War era, and the idea of nuclear war was very real and frightening.

Thankfully, back then, America had the troops, equipment, and the powerful allies it needed to confront the Soviet expansionism on multiple fronts, while still keeping lesser threats

at bay.

But today, according to Heritage's index of U.S. military strength, the military is one-third

smaller.

And though we have more advanced weaponry, we're operating in a world that's just as dangerous as what we faced

during the Cold War, and in many cases, more complex.

For years, our own generals have been warning us that our military is running on empty.

We simply cannot take the readiness of our force for granted.

If we do not have the resources to train and equip

the force, our soldiers, our young men and women are the ones who will pay the price, potentially

with their lives. It is our responsibility, the Department of Defense and Congress, to ensure that we never send soldiers

into harm's way that are not trained, equipped, well-led, and ready for any contingency

to include war.

Tanks, ships, and jets, just like a car, for example, only lasts so long.

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