As the global war on terrorism enters its fifth year, the efforts of that struggle are beginning to bear fruit. Although democratic elections in Iraq and Afghanistan represent hope for the future, our nation faces grave threats from around the world. Finding answers demands a unique and informed approach. The 2005 Eisenhower National Security Conference, the culminating event of the 2005 Dwight D. Eisenhower National Security Series, was held September 27-28 in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C. The conference presentations and discussions worked to accomplish several objectives: Provide a broad and unique forum to discuss and debate contemporary and future national security issues; Examine and advance ways to focus the instruments of national power more effectively; and Contribute to the ongoing national security dialogue while broadening the experience of midlevel and senior Army leaders through exposure to diverse issues, institutions, and perspectives. Five addresses challenged the participants with diverse viewpoints, which provided for a balanced and informative discussion. The five distinguished speak-ers were His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan; Hernando de Soto, president, Institute for Liberty and Democracy; Eliot Cohen, Ph.D., Robert E. Osgood professor of strategic studies, director of the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University; Ambassador Carlos Pascual, coordinator, Office of Reconstruc-tion and Stabilization, Department of State; and U.S. Representative Ike Skelton (D-MO), ranking member, House Armed Services Committee.