Since Jimmy Carter, successive presidents have deployed U.S. troops in response to unanticipated threats to U.S. national security. The Commander in Chief holds in his hands an awesome power over the blood and treasure of the American people. Notwithstanding, those vying for that title in 2012 have revealed precious little about their view of national security in a series of GOP presidential debates that barely touch on questions of America's role in the world. True, the nation is consumed with economic challenges, yet a national security crisis can shift our priorities in a single moment. It's time to find out how the men and women who would be President will perform when that crisis hits. On November 15 at 8 pm ET in Washington DC, the American Enterprise Institute, CNN and the Heritage Foundation will host the first presidential candidates' debate devoted exclusively to national security and foreign policy.

For almost 70 years, the American Enterprise Institute has been an innovator in the world of ideas. The challenge for AEI is to stay ahead of the news cycle, to lead with, to see beyond the horizon and help educate current leaders and a new generation about how best to manage the threat today and the challenges tomorrow. As part of an ongoing series in the lead up to the AEI/Heritage/CNN debate on national security, here are ten hot button issues all Americans should be thinking about: