Why America’s enemies are rooting for another Trump v. Biden election 

America is entering perhaps the most dangerous period in our nation’s past 150 and a half years.

We face a growing external threat from a coalition of Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and their affiliated proxies and terrorist groups, all of whom are avowed enemies of the United States and the West. By declaring a common enemy, the two countries are increasingly coordinating hostile actions to distract Washington and complicate its response.

The international order established by Western countries under the leadership of the United States after World War II is under joint attack. Just before Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping issued a joint statement. “Strategic partnership without limits” To supplant the hegemony of the United States and its allies and refute the assumption that Western values ​​are “universal.”

For example, when it comes to governance issues, Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin are the sole arbiters of their countries’ affairs. declared “Only the people of their country decide whether or not their country is a democracy.” Of course, they have arrogantly claimed to themselves the exclusive right to speak on behalf of “the people.”

They also supported each other’s aggressive regional ambitions. Mr. Xi has accused NATO of provoking Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Mr. Putin has supported China’s claims to Taiwan. However, although Ukraine and Taiwan fall short of a mutual defense treaty, they are still under the U.S. security umbrella.

Iran, the third major actor in the attack on Western values ​​and interests; label He regards the United States as the “big devil” and Israel as the “little devil” and vows to destroy both. Although it does not yet have enough nuclear weapons to directly challenge the United States or Israel, it can launch provocations and attacks through regional proxies and terrorist groups such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. Maintains minimal plausible deniability. To avoid direct confrontation with Iran, Washington and the West are willing to engage in barely-concealed subterfuge. 150 Houthi attacks About Western shipping in the Red Sea.

The deadly weekend attack on US troops in Jordan showed that Biden’s message of deterrence to Iran and its proxies has failed tragically, lest it exploit the conflict between Israel and Hamas for further misdeeds in the Middle East. . His warning — “Stop, stop, stop.” — warned Putin not to try anything more in early 2022, but that proved futile in Tehran “Limited intrusion” of Ukraine.

Enter North Korea With financial and technical support from China For the purpose of diplomatic protection, it has developed its own nuclear weapons program and the missiles to launch it against South Korea, Japan, and even the United States.

Behind its nuclear shield, North Korea has increased its belligerent statements and actions against the Seoul government. Last week, Kim Jong Un declared that peaceful reunification of the North and South would be achieved. no longer an achievable goal By declaring the South to be the “primary enemy,” he effectively declared a new war.

Unlike its junior communist allies, China denies that Taiwan is an independent state, but the end result is the same. Threatening to attack Taiwan “The possibility of peaceful unification must have been completely exhausted.” Mr. Xi may have concluded that this is now the case, since the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party just won an election. unprecedented third election Despite warnings from the Chinese government that voters in Taiwan could Choose “War or Peace”.

The question now is whether Kim or Xi will strike first.

In 1950, Mao Zedong and Kim Il-sung were poised to attack Taiwan and South Korea, respectively, but Kim thoroughly defeated Mao and President Harry Truman sent the 7th Fleet to Taiwan to prevent war in the Taiwan Strait. dispatched to the straits.

Now, in a time of not only international crisis but also deep partisan and social divisions reminiscent in some ways of the bitter Vietnam War, we are forced to make fateful choices about who should lead us. They are American voters. According to somethe American Civil War itself.

President Biden seems to have a paralyzing fear of escalation, but he could find himself drawn into the very wars he is urgently trying to avoid in Ukraine and the Middle East. While seemingly speaking loudly about defending Taiwan, it allowed its staff and cabinet to weaken that message and failed to provide Taiwan with all the weapons it needed to deter and defeat Chinese aggression. This would lead to a major miscalculation on the part of the Chinese government. Assistance to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, former President Trump will temporarily postpone the conflict for the next four years at the expense of both Ukraine. “I’ll resolve that war within 24 hours a day.” — and Taiwan — “They took our business.” Even if he leaves office, Trump will expose to danger He ensured the security of Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan by urging allies in Congress to block a compromise funding package to secure the border sought by Republicans.

Based on past experience with Biden and Trump, Russia and China are confident they can manage both to the dictator’s advantage. The person they know the least about, and the person they least like, is Nikki Haley, the third person in the race, a former ambassador to the United Nations. America needs a commander-in-chief who will continue to make our enemies uncomfortable and exercise restraint. This is the key to preventing strategic miscalculations.

Joseph Bosco served as the Secretary of Defense’s Director of China Affairs from 2005 to 2006 and Director of the Asia-Pacific Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief from 2009 to 2010. He served in the Pentagon when President Vladimir Putin invaded Georgia, and was also involved in the Pentagon. Discussion of the US response. Follow him on Twitter @BoscoJosephA.