GINGRICH: Ukraine, Taiwan & Our Weak ‘Commander-In-Chief’

The American presidency only works with a strong, competent, and forceful commander in chief

By Newt Gingrich

The United States is confronting a pair of ruthless dictatorships in two potential collisions that could change history and leave Americans at enormous risk. The news media focus is on Vladimir Putin and Ukraine, and everyone – even the White House – recognizes President Biden made a dangerous mistake in his two-hour press conference when he said “a minor incursion” by Russia might be acceptable.

His administration was trying to reverse that comment as soon as the press conference ended and spent the next two days trying to reassure everyone – including our allies – that Biden didn’t actually mean what he clearly said. But the message was sent and the damage was done!

So, the Biden threat that there would be “severe sanctions” if Russia invaded Ukraine probably has no effect on Putin.

First, when he seized all of Crimea the Obama-Biden Administration threatened severe sanctions – and nothing was done to hurt Russia much.

Second, after Biden’s war on American energy raised the price of oil and forced him to beg Russia and Saudi Arabia to increase production to lower the price, Putin must be reveling in the absurdity of Biden’s words versus Biden’s actions.

Oil is the largest source of foreign income for Russia. Every dollar per barrel increase is a windfall Putin can spend on the Russian military and foreign adventures. In October 2020, with President Donald Trump’s energy independence policy, the price of crude was $39.90 a barrel. Today, with Biden’s anti-American energy policy, the price of crude has jumped to $89 a barrel – and forecasts are it’s going to $100 or more by this summer.

So despite Biden’s strong words about sanctions, the effect of his policies has been a $45 a barrel increase in profit (or about 115%) for Putin to pay off his oligarchs & buy better military equipment, OR engage in foreign adventures. Any supposed sanctions Biden imposed would have to overcome this windfall – and then go much deeper – for Putin to even feel it.

Far from being intimidated, the Russians have announced that they will be holding military maneuvers off Ireland. That country has complained and said they don’t want Russian warships in their neighborhood. Since Ireland is not a member of NATO and its own forces are totally inadequate for dealing with Russia, NATO would have to get involved to stop it.

Meanwhile, while Putin’s keeping everyone focused on Ukraine, China is busy putting pressure on Taiwan. Last Sunday, the Chinese Communists flew 39 aircraft – including a nuclear bomber – near Taiwan.

The simple fact is Putin and Xi sense real weakness in the American commander in chief. They sense that American confusion and weakness is an enormous opportunity.

While Biden has a difficult time communicating with his allies – and has had no impact on Germany which is now choosing Russian natural gas over NATO – Putin and China’s Xi Jinping are talking regularly and coordinating activities.

The American system was built for a strong commander in chief. Gen. George Washington spent eight years fighting the British to establish our independence, and  knew from his own experience that American survival in a dangerous world required a commander in chief – not a legislator in chief, not a speechmaker in chief, not a conciliator in chief. The American presidency only works with a strong, competent, and forceful commander in chief.

Currently, we don’t have one… in fact Biden is anything but that; he’s incapable.

Winston Churchill once commented, when in a similar situation he warned: “You have the choice between war, and dishonour. You chose dishonour and you will have war.”

Weakness when facing dictators is always dangerous. The situations in Ukraine and Taiwan are both dangerous. How our commander in chief responds remains to be seen, but on Wednesday, February 2nd Jill Biden had to hold his hand, TIGHTLY, to help him walk down the stairs to get off a stage – and here he has to meet a dual challenge of his and his weak-kneed fellow Democrat’s own making.

These are very, VERY dangerous times.