Fort Wainwright (Alaska), Sept. 12: Republican vice-presidential nominee and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has told an Iraq-bound brigade of soldiers that included her son that the war in that country is similar to horror associated with the 9/11 terror strikes in the United States, and urged them to "defend the innocent from enemies who rejoice in the death of thousands of Americans.

The same train of thought was once promoted by the Bush administration, but now the president himself has rejected it.

"America can never go back to that false sense of security that came before September 11, 2001. I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies. We have got to have all options out there on the table," the Washington Post quoted Palin as saying at the deployment ceremony.

Palin continues to champion the hard line on national security issues, saying that the United States should not hesitate to go to war with Russia if it is deemed necessary.

"I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help," she said in an interview to ABC TV.

Palin's 19-year-old son, Track, will deploy to Iraq with his unit later this month. McCain's son Jimmy is with his Marine unit in Iraq, but the senator from Arizona has taken pains to keep him out of the campaign spotlight. (ANI)