The greatness of the United States has never been defined merely by its wealth, military might or industrial capacity.
Authoritarian regimes worldwide do not fear American wealth; they crave it. They do not fear our military power; they study and seek to match it.
What keeps the rulers of America鈥檚 adversaries, such as those in communist China, awake at night and deterred during the day is not the size of our economy or the might of our fleet. It is the idea of freedom itself. The quest to make America great again at home must be coupled with a campaign to weaken and deter our adversaries abroad.
Promoting America鈥檚 freedom values abroad is the best way to deter aggression and assure world peace. It is not a 鈥渄istraction鈥� from making America great again. It is a core pillar of that mission.
The fundamental mistake of America鈥檚 unrealistic realists is the belief that if we leave China alone and focus on domestic self-strengthening, will leave us alone. This is a naive and dangerous illusion.
The Chinese Communist Party does not see the world as divided into neat spheres of influence where nations mind their business. The CCP understands geopolitics as a zero-sum battle of systems and ideas: democracy versus dictatorship, freedom versus oppression. For decades, has actively sought to reshape the world order in its own image and destroy America鈥檚 standing in the world.
The battle is already here, whether we choose to fight it or not.
Some argue that promoting democracy abroad is a waste of resources, but this is also a myopic perspective. The financial burden is minimal: The fiscal year 2025 request for Radio Free Asia is $71 million; for the National Endowment for Democracy, the tab is $142 million. These are small investments with significant returns in global stability and American influence.
Others argue that promoting freedom and democracy abroad is an unnecessary entanglement in foreign affairs, a destabilizing act against world peace. This ignores a crucial truth: Failing to advance freedom and democracy does not bring peace. It only invites aggression.
History proves this over and over. The Soviet Union did not collapse because we downplayed its aggression and its assaults on freedom. It fell because we challenged it ideologically, militarily and diplomatically. The same applies to China today. Without American leadership, the world will tilt further toward oppression, war and aggression.
If America abandons promoting freedom and democracy abroad, the vacuum will not remain empty; China will fill it.
Xi Jinping鈥檚 Belt and Road Initiative is not merely an economic project. It is an ideological weapon that expands authoritarian influence across the developing world. The CCP is actively working to reshape global institutions, pushing narratives that discredit the U.S. while propping up autocratic regimes that align with its interests.
If we fail to counter this, if we surrender our global influence, we will not get peace. We will get a world increasingly dominated by authoritarianism, a world where America鈥檚 values no longer inspire and where sets the rules.
This does not mean reckless interventionism or imposing democracy by force. It is about the U.S. supporting those who yearn for freedom, ensuring America remains a beacon of hope. Oppressed dissidents and persecuted people look to the U.S. for inspiration. When we retreat, we do not gain stability. We embolden our adversaries and betray those who depend on us.
That said, America鈥檚 democracy-promotion institutions need reform. Many have become entangled in domestic partisan agendas or bureaucratic inefficiencies. Wokeness and waste have eroded their credibility, making serious reform necessary, but eliminating these institutions altogether would be a self-inflicted wound.
Democracy promotion is not a partisan issue. Many Reagan conservatives and MAGA Republicans play leading roles in organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy. Defending freedom and democracy abroad is not a Democratic or Republican cause but an American mission.
The twin pillars of making America great again are strengthening our nation at home and deterring adversaries abroad. The most effective way to weaken and deter authoritarian regimes is to attack their ideological vulnerabilities. Exposing the hypocrisy of communism and dictatorship is a strategic necessity. This is a battle for the world鈥檚 soul, and America cannot afford to forfeit it.
Defending our values ensures the light of liberty continues to shine, not just for ourselves but also for all who are guided by it. This is America鈥檚 true power, and it is this power, not just economic or military strength, that will shape the world鈥檚 future.
Let鈥檚 make America great again, at home and abroad.