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Having had the great fortune of spending 16 years in overseas locations during a 38 year military career, I always think of how US current events are seen from the perspective of our allies, partners & foes.
A short 🧵 on those thoughts. 1/9
A short 🧵 on those thoughts. 1/9
Serving 12 yrs in EU, 3 yrs in the ME, & many non-consecutive months in Asia & S. America, it seemed most -not all- foreign views of the US, what we claim we stand for & believe in, were positive.
To be sure, there are a few ugly Americans who besmirch our reputation. 2/
To be sure, there are a few ugly Americans who besmirch our reputation. 2/
As a representative of the US in combat and peacetime situations, I never thought our soldiers should attempt to win "hearts & minds."
Instead, I believed we/they should try to win "trust and confidence" from our allies & the citizens of countries where we served. 3/
Instead, I believed we/they should try to win "trust and confidence" from our allies & the citizens of countries where we served. 3/
Also, something I always tried to remember was a message a mentor once gave me:
"Leaders gain trust. And trust is gained in drops, but lost in buckets."
While I'm an optimist, I believe we have lost buckets of trust from our allies & partners in the last few years. 4/
"Leaders gain trust. And trust is gained in drops, but lost in buckets."
While I'm an optimist, I believe we have lost buckets of trust from our allies & partners in the last few years. 4/
We notice when extremists Orban (Hungary) or Fico (Slovakia) are elected, we smirk when PMs like Berlusconi (Italy) or Netanyahu (Israel) are charged w/ crimes, and we can't figure out how Xi, Putin or KJU remain in power.
When those happens, we lose trust in governments. 5/
When those happens, we lose trust in governments. 5/
I'd suggest other nations pay much more attention to us than we pay to them.
When our capital is attacked, our Presidents are indicted, our Congress proves dysfunctional, or when we hesitate to support other democracies, nations lose trust in us, too. 6/
When our capital is attacked, our Presidents are indicted, our Congress proves dysfunctional, or when we hesitate to support other democracies, nations lose trust in us, too. 6/
The last few years (decades?) have caused other nations to doubt our resolve, and question our actions.
Are we supporting our own national ideas and ideals, are we providing that shining light on a hill that so many around the world look toward and depend on? 7/
Are we supporting our own national ideas and ideals, are we providing that shining light on a hill that so many around the world look toward and depend on? 7/
To fund our government, our representative traded away the support for a desperate Ukraine...a nation attempting to regain sovereign territory, protect their citizens, and secure their national culture.
As @potus said this morning, Congress must vote to reestablish support. 8/
As @potus said this morning, Congress must vote to reestablish support. 8/
Doing that - QUICKLY - will be the start of re-filling the trust bucket that we emptied yesterday.
Ukraine is aligned with our values and our ideology, and I believe it is our duty to support them in their fight.
That must be our Congress's top priority. 9/9
Ukraine is aligned with our values and our ideology, and I believe it is our duty to support them in their fight.
That must be our Congress's top priority. 9/9
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