What 1979 event spurred jimmy carter to pursue a military buildup despite his preference for protecting national security through nonmilitary means?

Answer - The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

The decision of the Soviet Union's to invade Afghanistan in 1979 impelled a change in President Jimmy Carter's approach. He pursued called for significant increases in defense spending despite his preference for protecting national security through non-military means. Carter insisted that the Soviet Union's actions jeopardized the Middle East.