Rand Paul to lay out four-pronged platform on foreign policy

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- For the first time since facing an onslaught of criticism this year over his foreign policy views, Sen. Rand Paul will spell out his comprehensive national security platform Thursday in remarks that his office bills as a major foreign policy speech.

The Kentucky Republican, who's aggressively laying groundwork for a potential presidential campaign, is set to deliver his address in New York at the Center for the National Interest, a think-tank founded by former President Richard Nixon.

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In a four-pronged framework Paul will attempt to cement himself as a "conservative realist," according to his spokesman, and address critics that characterize his views as isolationist.

"America should and will fight wars when the consequencesintended and unintendedare worth the sacrifice," he will say, according to prepared remarks.

Paul has tried to defend his traditionally non-interventionist positions in interviews and high-profile Senate floor speeches this year, as well as a speech early last year at the Heritage Foundation.

But he aims to approach his speech Thursday from the perspective of a major, would-be U.S. leader, rather than a lawmaker, according to his spokesman.

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In four points, he'll outline how and when he would advocate for the use of force if the U.S. or U.S. interests are threatened, and he'll underscore his widely-known position that a U.S. president should seek authorization from Congress before taking military action.

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Rand Paul to lay out four-pronged platform on foreign policy