The Despots Are Watching
It's no coincidence that pundits refer to actions taken by world leaders as occurring on a "global stage." International relations is often like theater, though instead of throwing flowers in applause, it can end in the threat of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The only question is: Who is the audience?
An audience can be identified as those who are silently watching. As Russia continues its unjust war in Ukraine, rolling tanks over citizens and bombing city squares, we must ask: who is silent? Who is watching?
Instead of condemning Putin's horrendous invasion, many world leaders remain silent. Despots like Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-Un, the Ayatollah Khamenei, Nicolás Maduro, and others are silently watching, waiting to see how they too can seize the moment and consolidate power.
Every action, and every instance of inaction, is a learning point for world leaders. Despots are not stupid — they are cold, calculating, and strategic. Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he had perceived strength from the United States. Weakness is provocative, and Putin sensed weakness.
I visited Ukraine and NATO Headquarters in Brussels a week before Putin launched his invasion. I spoke with their top government officials, military leaders, and civilians, and what did they have to say? That Putin would not have escalated if the United States had not botched its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
No one wanted to stay in Afghanistan a minute longer than we had to, but President Biden's complete failure as Commander-in-Chief was a massive wake-up call for both our allies and adversaries. Professional military advice was ignored, allies were left in a lurch, billions of dollars in equipment were left behind, and brave 13 brave U.S. servicemembers — including a soldier from my home state of Tennessee — were killed.
Since President Biden abandoned his fellow Americans in Afghanistan, why should our allies believe the U.S. has their back if we do not even protect our own?
President Biden’s weakness is brighter than the Nashville neon lights, and the world's despots are watching. Just as one could draw a straight line from Obama’s “red line” in Syria to the Russian invasion of Crimea, one can draw a straight line from the abandonment of Bagram to the Russian assault on Ukraine today. In a mere six months, Putin made his move. Weakness is provocative.
You may not have friends or family in Ukraine, and you may not have heard of cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv before this war, but make no mistake: What happens in Ukraine affects us all. The decisions made in Washington today in response to Putin are being watched closely. Our national security, our economy, our Western way of life — that of freedom and self-governance — are at stake.
Ukraine is a mere step between Russia and our NATO allies. His flagrant thirst for power and derangement will push him further and could entangle the entire European continent in war. But Putin is not the only despot we must consider. Since President Biden's debacle in Afghanistan, China’s Xi Jinping has boldly escalated tensions with Taiwan, signaling a renewed commitment to overtaking its democratic neighbor. China now boasts of the world's largest navy, has repeatedly sent military aircraft into Taiwanese airspace, and is continuing to build up the People’s Liberation Army.
China's claims to Taiwan aren’t unlike Putin's claims to Ukraine. If the West does not respond to Putin with strength, Xi will not be deterred.
Thankfully, over the last week, we have seen the West stand united against Putin's war in Ukraine, with many countries and companies cutting off Russian ties. We have seen previously neutral countries like Switzerland come off the sidelines, and countries like Germany boosting its defense spending. Even Finland, which has traditionally held a policy of not angering its large Russian neighbor, has aligned itself with the NATO.
However, to no one's surprise, President Biden's response has been underwhelming. Biden's sanctions do not target Russia's entire financial sector, and the U.S. is still dependent on Russia for oil and petroleum products. Biden failed to provide lethal aid to Ukraine in the past year, and his stair-step approach to sanctions has only emboldened Putin.
I recall a time when American strength was not only projected, but real. The torch of freedom burned brightly under American leadership many years ago, and that torch of freedom was backed by strength. The despots that stood opposite Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher didn’t sense weakness — they knew that “peace through strength” was backed by real strength and an ironclad transatlantic alliance.
This is America's moment. It is time for genuine resolve. The US needs to impose maximum sanctions on Russia, stop purchasing Russian oil, and provide Ukraine the lethal aid they need to repel the Russian onslaught.
The despots are watching what happens in Ukraine, seeking to exploit weakness. Weakness is provocative, but from strength comes peace.
Rep. Mark Green is a physician and combat veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq where he served three tours. He interviewed Saddam Hussein for six hours on the night of his capture. He serves on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.
