Nancy Pelosi was determined to speak out about American support of Taiwan as a democratic nation under constant threat from China’s tyrannical neighbor. The Chinese government was furious and threatened serious sanctions. China ended up engaging in mainly military postures.
Pelosi’s assertion that Taiwan needs to be supported by the West is true, as is the fact that China is an aggressive dictatorship. Pelosi’s visit is just one of a series of American foreign policies that appear more like rhetoric than they are strength. John F. Kennedy could fly to Berlin despite the Cold War Blockade to support Germans against Soviet aggression. He also declared that the United States would defend West Berlin in an invasion. Pelosi’s provocative protest of Chinese caterwauling in Taiwan is another. There was no American statement of intent to defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion.
Pelosi’s visit sounds much like the virtue signaling that has been used by both American political parties for decades. They say that they will support democratic allies and then drop them when it gets difficult. Instead, they claim their priorities in foreign policy range from free elections to gay right, before going on to associate themselves with the most ruthless dictators around the globe. They are loud and have a watery noodle. They are addicted to exaggerated rhetoric and have a shaky commitment that undermine both their credibility as well as their ability for moral persuasion.
Biden stands out as an example of this type of politician. He stated in February 2002 that the “hope of a liberated Afghanistan will evaporate because we failed the course”. By 2021 Biden was pulling the plug and handing over Afghanistan to the loving cares of those same people who orchestrated Sept. 11. Biden spent 2020 decrying Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations as pariahs; by 2022, Biden was fist-bumping the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
A foreign policy that is focused on American interests will not work. It’s a policy that promotes America’s values and won’t be influenced by buzzwords. Instead of suggesting America will protect Ukraine due to Ukraine’s dedication to democracy (which is undermined internally through rabid corruption), our leaders need to tell the truth. It is in America’s interest to defend Ukraine against Russia. This is because Russian predations in Europe threaten NATO’s integrity, and promote more aggression by our geopolitical enemies, including China. A clear position like this would avoid the confusion that can arise from Western nations bragging about the need to defend democracy but then failing repeatedly to do so during the Russian invasions in Georgia and Crimea.
A similar foreign policy would not be new. This would also be in keeping with John Quincy Adams famous words, “America does not go abroad to search for monsters to kill.” She’s the one who wishes for freedom and independence. Only she can be the advocate and vindicator. America must be aware of its own interests. America must protect her interests. Our enemies and allies will be able to see where we are, instead of speculating about how empty our rhetoric might have been.
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