National security

On national security, we are our own worst enemy

When it comes to America’s national security — and slipping national identity — “we have met the enemy and he is us.” This satirical mutation of Admiral Oliver Hazard Perry’s, “We have met the enemy and they are ours,” was a popular critique of the Vietnam War. It is again appropriate, only now as a warning for America’s future. 

We, Americans, are jeopardizing our national security. First, too many have embraced a victim mindset. Second, Americans lack resilience. Third, individual academic skills, on average, lag behind those of other countries.

...Instead, Americans should be embracing the good news. America has the world’s largest economy and the median income is 530 percent higher than the global average. Americans are safer now than at any period since the early 1960’s. FBI data show that murders, regardless of source, and violent crime are at their lowest sustained rates in more than 50 years. And, America remains the dominant military power. The U.S. isn’t losing any military contests, although it is true that military force cannot compel Afghan or Iraqi security forces to fight bravely or cajole their political leaders to govern competently.