WASHINGTON - 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 Thursday to a conservative think tank.

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

He lashed 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."