One thing Carly Fiorina, the primary candidate for the nomination, said in 2016 was that President Barack Obama’s eight-year-old foreign policy had been a painfully accurate one. She said repeatedly during foreign policy discussions, “When America fails lead the world becomes more dangerous and tragic.” This was in a world that has an emboldened Iran and a rising China and where ISIS had a caliphate. Her point was very well taken and accurate. Today Nigel Farage, who spoke at CPAC, delivered a similar message.
Unfortunately, Joe Biden is now the vice president of Barack Obama and the situation is much the same as it was between Jan. 2017 and Jan. 2021. Biden’s administration has been soft on NATO allies, allowing Germany to be dependent on Russia for their energy. We have not yet seen the full impact of the devastating withdrawal from Afghanistan. Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine this week and it seems he plans to replace the current government with one that is more friendly to Russia.
Farage, a European perspective, added color, history, and urgency to the current circumstances. Farage also gave a candid assessment of American considerations. Farage acknowledged America’s sacrifices during World War I and II in order to free Europe from tyranny. “The truth is that America didn’t do those things. Europe would not have existed for the past 75 years. We owe America a huge, massive debt for freedom and liberty. Farage mocked, “Not that you’ll hear that from any French politician.”
The man behind Brexit admitted that his remarks may seem unfair in the context of this shared history. Farage stated that he believed Putin was a Russian nationalist, and that his goal in reabsorbing the Russian-speaking areas of Ukraine into Russia was to do so. He is now not so certain.
“I thought that we were dealing with someone very rational. Now, I wonder if he really is. He’s not to be afraid, of course. This is the worst American president in American history. No question. It is not permitted to say “Let’s Go Brandon” because it is too rude. So let’s go Brandon!
“I have no doubt that, if Donald Trump were still president, the invasion of Ukraine wouldn’t have occurred. That is what I am certain of. It has happened. It’s possible to believe that Putin will want to return to the days of Catherine the Great or the czarist empire if something goes wrong with him.
If Putin expanded his territorial goals, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania would all be at risk. Farage stated that Putin also investigates NATO. When the U.S. unilaterally left Afghanistan, the cracks in the Western alliance were evident. The Biden administration didn’t even consult NATO allies that had followed us into this theater.
“We’re asking ourselves a question. Are Americans still interested in being the leaders of the West? Farage said that if they aren’t, then we have a problem.” It’s true, it’s not fair on American taxpayers or American citizens, but it is a fact. NATO is a waste space without America. We don’t have enough strength to stop Putin from doing whatever he wants without America.
Farage called for a public discussion in the U.S. on whether NATO should continue to be led. Farage suggested that, if we are to lead, our leaders must convey to Putin that they cannot go any further. Farage believes that Putin will push his westward push if it isn’t. Farage acknowledged that NATO and the European Union were expanded after the fall of Berlin Wall, but Farage said there is a bigger enemy watching Putin’s bold and risky progress.
Farage says that Donald Trump is responsible for awakening the West to the true threats posed China by claiming that the CCP is monitoring. He said that the Chinese state media had been broadcasting this week that Taiwan was part of China. Many people noticed that the CCP was waiting for Olympics to finish before they moved on the island nation. Chinese state media suggests they may be right. Farage points out how China taking Taiwan could alter modern life as we know.
All of the semiconductors and chips that we depend on are made in Taiwan. The consequences for the world will be catastrophic if China takes aim at a weak West, led by a weak American President. Farge warned that no matter how uncomfortable you may feel about America’s responsibility, you will see the consequences if America doesn’t take action.
He then moved on to the internal enemies. While we face urgent external threats, our universities, corporations, or other institutions are turning us all against one another. Farage praised regular Americans who fought in local and school board elections. “But if the world is going to be a better place. If we want to preserve our culture, heritage, and history. This is the battleground if we want to defend Western Civilization. It’s America. Because America will fall, and the entire free world will follow suit.”
Are we able to have the moral conviction and commitment as a nation to shoulder this burden? Are enough people born after 1990 able to understand the importance of this issue? All of these are questions America needs to confront sooner than later.
