Sen. Rand Paul is playing down isolationist positions on foreign policy and advocating an approach that he says "recognizes our limits and preserves our might."
The Kentucky Republican is set to give a speech Thursday night in New York that's intended to spell out where he stands on foreign affairs as he considers a White House run in 2016.
Paul has drawn sharp criticism from within his own party for favoring a smaller American footprint on the international stage.
The Associated Press has obtained Paul's prepared remarks to the Center for the National Interest.
He doesn't rule out military action, but says the U.S. must have a clear exit strategy before using force and cannot have "perpetual war."
