Article in The Times of Israel by Andy Blumenthal: While there are many factors that contribute to our national success, certainly if we are going to be able to confront the challenges we face both at home and abroad, we must have strong and courageous leadership. Not only to unite us but also to evoke our very best, we need leadership that commands respect from both left and right, with a mighty and passionate vision that moves us not only to farseeing human progress but equally to moral righteousness. With this, we can instill pride in both who we are and where we are going and not be in fear of what’s threatening our streets or our shores anymore.

1. 2/4/24, 7:34 AM It Comes Down to Leadership | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
It Comes Down to
Leadership
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2. 2/4/24, 7:34 AM It Comes Down to Leadership | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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The United States of America is under threat, both domestic and foreign. Strong
and morally righteous leadership is needed now more than ever to confront the
challenges that are eating away at our economy, security, and moral fiber of the
nation.
Ignoring Domestic Threats
National Debt Spiral
Our national debt of $34 trillion is the equivalent of $100,000 of debt for every
man, woman, and child in this country. Nassim Nicholas Talib, who predicted
the 2008 financial crisis and is the author of the bestseller The Black Swan, now
says the U.S. is heading into a “death spiral” over the national debt, where the
interest payments will end up destroying our economy and country.
Overrun Borders

3. 2/4/24, 7:34 AM It Comes Down to Leadership | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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The U.S. borders are being overrun by millions of illegal immigrants. Yet, while
the majority of Americans see nothing less than an “invasion” at the southern
border, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could remove the
razor wire that Texas installed to try and stem the tide.
Rising homelessness and poverty
Homelessness rose to over 650,000 people in the U.S. in 2023. On top of this,
more than 12% of the U.S. population lives below the poverty line, and 13%
don’t have enough to eat. On top of this, we see urban decay, with our cities
becoming increasingly dirty, decrepit, and violent. Look no further than the
neighborhood malls, where “flash mobs” overrun security, running out the doors
with merchandise in tow.
Violent Pro-Hamas Terrorist Protests
There are now regular hateful, violent pro-Hamas terrorist protests across major
cities and university campuses in the U.S. and globally. However, while some
European countries have cracked down on these vile anti-Semitic protesters, we
see these unhinged, genocidal protests in support of U.S.-designated terror
organizations continue to erupt in the U.S. with obstruction of traffic,
destruction of property, and harassment and violence against counter-
protesters, politicians, and even the police, who presumably have been ordered
to stand down.
Wokeism and DEI: Reverse Discrimination and Hate
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) sound good in theory, yet it has at times
been overtaken by woke radicalism, which sees anyone who is not the oppressed
as the oppressor, resulting too often in a movement of resentment, hate, reverse
discrimination, and racism.

4. 2/4/24, 7:34 AM It Comes Down to Leadership | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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Appeasing Foreign Threats
Russia’s Proxy War Against NATO
The war in Ukraine with Russia has been going on for almost two years, and
make no mistake, it is a proxy war with NATO. Despite a massive infusion of
weapons and funds for Ukraine to the tune of $122 billion, Western support
shows signs of falling short even as Russia continues to hold 20% of Ukraine and
they remain resolute in their military adventurism that encroaches on the very
defensive boundaries of NATO.
China’s Determination to Breakout as a Superpower
China is determined to reunify with Taiwan and employ force if necessary.
Essentially, China wants to break out of the South China Island Chain, which it
feels imprisons it from becoming a true superpower economically and militarily.
The U.S. continues to waffle by saying they support reunification and a one-
China policy but will defend Taiwan if China attacks. China continues to build
up its military forces, including nuclear weapons, while the U.S. prepares
reluctantly for a major Pacific war.
Iran’s “Axis of Evil”
There have been more than 100 Iranian-sponsored terror attacks on U.S. troops
in the Middle East just since October, with the latest one resulting in 3 deaths
and over 30 wounded, and the U.S. deterrence continues to erode as we conduct
preannounced, retaliatory strikes that avoid actually confronting and hitting the
source of the attacks, Iran. This is in addition to Iran’s pursuit of “the bomb”
and the U.S. coddling the Ayatollah with side-stepped inspections and sanctions
while we release billions of dollars that fund their malevolent arch of terrorism
against the West.

5. 2/4/24, 7:34 AM It Comes Down to Leadership | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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Houthi Attacks on Freedom of Navigation
The Houthis have attacked more than 29 ships in the Red Sea, where 12% of
global shipping passes. Despite U.S. retaliatory strikes, the Houthis say they are
not deterred. This past week, a Houthi cruise missile was narrowly intercepted
using an onboard Phalanx Gatling gun, a line of last defense, just seconds before
it would’ve stricken a U.S. Navy destroyer. The U.S. continues to act with
restraint here, like with Iran, not wanting to confront another escalation in the
Middle East.
Terror Threats against Ally and Friend, Israel
After the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, where 1,200 Israelis were
ruthlessly raped, tortured, and murdered, and another 240 were abducted, Israel
is confronted by a multi-front war from Hamas in the south, Hezbollah in the
north, the Houthis in the east, and of course, all trained, armed, and supported
by the #1 global terrorist sponsor, Iran. While the U.S. has stood strongly with
Israel throughout most of this and the hostages are still not all released,
pressure is building from the U.S. for a reduction in Israeli military strikes and a
pullback from Gaza, with the U.S. now threatening to recognize a Palestinian
state as well as imposing sanctions on some Israeli settlers in Judea and
Samaria.
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6. 2/4/24, 7:34 AM It Comes Down to Leadership | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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In the face of all these domestic and foreign threats, the U.S. is challenged with
evoking across-the-board strong leadership. Aside from a Congress that remains
bitterly divided and fighting each other with investigations and impeachments
at every turn, we have an electorate that says they are unsure about the
presidential candidates from whom they must choose to lead us for the next
four, likely extremely pivotal years.
While surely all decent, patriotic American people want to see the United States
continue as a beacon of freedom and leadership in the world, the problems this
country is facing both internally and externally are wearing down our ability to
cope with them. From our economy to our border and national security, from
our universities to our urban centers, from radical wokeism to vile protests
overcome with hate, racism, and violence, our nation is threatened perhaps like
never before.
While there are many factors that contribute to our national success, certainly if
we are going to be able to confront the challenges we face both at home and
abroad, we must have strong and courageous leadership. Not only to unite us
but also to evoke our very best, we need leadership that commands respect from
both left and right, with a mighty and passionate vision that moves us not only
to farseeing human progress but equally to moral righteousness. With this, we
can instill pride in both who we are and where we are going and not be in fear of
what’s threatening our streets or our shores anymore.

7. 2/4/24, 7:34 AM It Comes Down to Leadership | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/it-comes-down-to-leadership/#comments-1155917 7/7
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
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D david
10 hours ago
That is why all Jewish Americans must support President Trump this year!
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