The other day I was wondering why there were few – if any – major armed conflicts in the world under President Donald J. Trump compared to former president Obama or now current president Biden.
And then I thought of former President Ronald Reagan’s 1983 speech on National Security, where he said “We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.”
A concept Reagan may have remembered from Ancient Roman History:
“[Ancient Rome's Emperor Hadrian's] agenda was clear: peace through strength, or failing that, peace through threat.”
“Following Hadrian: A Second-Century Journey Through the Roman Empire” – by Elizabeth Speller, 2003
…which got me to thinking about how well Obama, Trump, and Biden believe in “peace through strength”.
“…we must continue to stand united against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Keep in mind that, repeatedly, President Putin has ignored the opportunity to resolve the crisis in Ukraine diplomatically. The United States, the European Union, our partners around the world have all said we prefer a diplomatic solution. But in light of Russia’s unwillingness to seize that opportunity, we have come together to impose major sanctions on Russia for [it's military invasion of the Crimea].”
- Former president Barack Obama, September 3, 2014, speaking on Russia’s military invasion of the Crimea.
And Russia’s military took over the Crimea.
…And then Donald J. Trump was elected president.
“To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!”
- Former US President Donald J. Trump, to Iran via Twitter, July 23, 2018
And Iran backed down.
…Until Joe Biden was selected as president.
“North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen … he has been very threatening beyond a normal state. They will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before.”
- Former US President Donald J. Trump, August 9, 2017, after North Korea threatens a missile attack on Guam.
And North Korea backed down.
…Until Joe Biden was selected as president.
“If you move against Ukraine while I’m president I will hit Moscow. All those beautiful golden turrets will be blown up.”
- Former US President Donald J. Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as recalled by Trump, Feb. 22, 2022
And Russia backed down.
…Until Joe Biden was selected as president.
“Whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history.”
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, on his invasion of the Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022
And the World will back down.
…Until Russia gets what they want.
“So we defend Europe, but Europe also takes tremendous advantage of the United States on trade like you wouldn’t believe. I would imagine they’d like to wait until after the election so that maybe they could deal with somebody else than President Trump but after the election they’ll just have to pay more.”
- Former US President Donald J. Trump, June 24, 2020
And Europe waited.
…Until Joe Biden was selected as president:
And now they could pay much more.
“The threat of the sanctions … imposing the sanctions and seeing the effect of the sanctions are two different things. [Putin's] going to begin to see the effect of the sanctions. …It’s going to take time. We have to show resolve so he knows what is coming.”
- Joe Biden, Feb. 24, 2022
And president Joe Biden’s US sanctions against Russia will work.
…Just like Joe Biden’s sanctions worked against Russia in 2014.
…and until Biden lifts his sanctions: Just like he did with Iran.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
“Only the dead have seen the end of war.”
- George Santayana
Thanks for Reading!
