A World Divided: Good vs. Evil in the 21st Century
Forty-two years ago, Ronald Reagan, a staunch advocate for freedom and democracy, issued a powerful call to action from Orlando, Florida. He urged nations worldwide to unite against what he termed an "evil empire," emphasizing the critical importance of remaining steadfast in the ongoing struggle between right and wrong, good and evil. While much has undoubtedly changed in the intervening decades, the fundamental threat to freedom-loving countries has not only persisted but, in many ways, intensified.
We continue to inhabit a world sharply divided along ideological lines, a world where the forces of good clash with those of evil. On one side stand freedom-loving nations, committed to upholding democracy, safeguarding human rights, and fostering economic freedom. On the other, we face countries like Russia, Communist China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela, all of whom share a disturbing tendency to control and abuse the will and God-given rights of their citizens.
The upcoming meeting on May 9th in Red Square, where Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will stand shoulder-to-shoulder, celebrating Russia’s military might and commemorating its victory in World War II, serves as a stark reminder of this divide. The attendance list will be revealing, as no nation genuinely committed to democracy, freedom, or free trade should align itself with Putin and Xi.
Putin’s Russia, in particular, stands out as one of the most prominent "evil powers" actively plotting to exploit both its own citizens and the world at large. It’s no secret that Putin is actively working to reshape the global power structure, aiming to restore something akin to the Soviet era. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping and Communist China are relentlessly pursuing global domination through economic control, cleverly transforming profit and influence into tools for espionage and, tragically, genocide.
Iran, too, poses a significant threat, actively seeking power by openly supporting terrorist groups such as Hamas and the Houthis. These groups engage in the killing of innocent civilians, launch attacks against Israel, target U.S. ships, and disrupt global trade, all fueled by Iran’s ambition for regional dominance.
The list of problematic regimes continues with North Korea, which has recently supplied troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, there’s the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela, as well as the regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua, all of whom share a similar worldview that prioritizes control and oppression over individual liberties.
Disturbingly, there are even countries like Hungary that outwardly feign alignment with the U.S. but covertly act to support Putin, seeking to remain on his good side by shielding Russia from EU sanctions. All of these powers actively cooperate against the U.S. and its partners, with those located in our hemisphere often serving as proxies for Russia, China, Iran, and other adversaries.
However, amidst this landscape of darkness, there remain beacons of hope – the freedom-loving nations of the world who stand united against Putin, Xi, and these "evil regimes," resolutely defending freedom and our way of life. A clear line of distinction exists between these two groups: good versus evil.
Years ago, a warning was issued about Communist China’s initiation of a new Cold War with the United States. The dangers of believing that China and our enemies would ever operate within the bounds of the modern world order were emphasized. Allies were urged to recognize this growing threat, because a day of reckoning was inevitably approaching. Furthermore, our government was called upon to demonstrate America’s strength and resolve, renewing its commitment to its allies in freedom as we collectively worked to contain the increasing reach of Communist China, Russia, Iran, and others. During President Trump’s first administration, significant strides were made in this direction.
Unfortunately, optimism regarding the Biden administration’s courage or desire to effectively combat these encroaching dangers was limited. The subsequent events during his presidency, sadly, confirmed those concerns.
Our enemies swiftly recognized the weaknesses of Joe Biden and his administration, and they wasted no time in exploiting them. These "evil nations" seized every opportunity to undermine the interests and security of the U.S. and our allies, fueling terror and evil around the world, including the invasion of a sovereign nation.
President Trump inherited a complex and challenging situation, but he is now working diligently to reverse Biden’s disastrous course and reestablish the U.S. as a beacon of strength in the world, sending a clear message: the U.S. is back. We stand firmly for liberty, democracy, and fair play, and to stand opposed to these values is to stand opposed to us.
President Trump is already taking decisive action to crack down on Communist China’s abuses. He and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have taken steps to strip Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro of every resource he is using to cling to power, and they have exerted maximum pressure on Iran to prevent them from acquiring a nuclear weapon. They have also reversed the Biden administration’s dangerous appeasement and enablement of the Cuban regime, which has funded evil and instability throughout our hemisphere for decades. President Trump has also been actively working to bring peace to Ukraine and put pressure on Putin by maintaining and threatening increased sanctions, while simultaneously working to ensure that our European allies are on board to make Putin a global pariah if he refuses to come to the negotiation table. He has also opened the door to future military aid for Ukraine, which could and should be financially underwritten by our European allies.
Recent travels to Finland, Estonia, and Denmark provided the opportunity to meet with allies on the front lines defending us against Russian aggression. The benefits of President Trump’s pushing our NATO allies to step up and contribute more to their own defenses were clearly evident. These three countries are leaders in responding to President Trump’s calls, consistently meeting and surpassing NATO minimum defense standards. Even Germany has activated its military by sending troops to help protect the border in Lithuania, though it has only just met its 2% GDP goal for the first time in almost 35 years. Unfortunately, they are not alone in this struggle. While the U.S. is willing and able to protect our allies, we cannot do so effectively if they are not willing and able to defend themselves.
This showdown between good and evil will not be decided solely through traditional military actions but through economic battles as well. We must enforce strategic sanctions and work to end policies that supply our enemies with the money and economic power to fund their atrocities. We must make our enemies global pariahs and cripple their economies; otherwise, the United States and our allies will not be safe.
The United States will always stand on the side of freedom and democracy; it is not only a noble fight but an essential one. And we will always stand against those who wish us destroyed. As May 9th approaches and nations decide who to align with in Red Square, the world will be watching closely to see which side they choose. The choice, ultimately, is between good and evil.
