Nikki Haley at Hudson Institute on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Madeline Yarbrough)

Ambassador Nikki Haley stressed that although the United States needs to face hard truths about the challenges it faces, the American people will always rise to defend freedom.

Read the key takeaways from her inaugural event as Hudson’s Walter P. Stern Chair below.

Key Insights

1. Abandoning Israel would embolden America’s adversaries, just as the fall of Afghanistan did.

“Israel is fighting America’s enemies. Not just Hamas, but also Hezbollah, the Houthis, and most of all, Iran. When Biden says he won’t give weapons to Israel, all those enemies hear is that attacking Israel just got easier. They can kill as many Jews as they want. After a few months of outrage, America will tire and move on. . . . This is the face of weakness. And it’s the logical extension of Biden’s surrender in Afghanistan. . . . Without the Afghanistan debacle, Iran would have thought twice before letting Hamas attack Israel. For that matter, Russia likely would not have invaded Ukraine. The Israel betrayal is the bookend of the Afghanistan surrender. In both cases, the consequences of Biden’s lack of resolve will be felt worldwide.”

2. To keep American soldiers out of harm’s way, Washington needs to stand with its allies and demonstrate the resolve to win.

“And if we’re going to stop a war in the Pacific, we have to win the war in Europe. No one is watching Ukraine more closely than China. No one is watching Israel more closely, either. If we throw in the towel, China will assume it can invade Taiwan with impunity. China is waiting to see if America is stupid enough to throw away the Middle East, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific—all at the same time. But China isn’t just waiting. President Xi is actively coordinating with Iran and Russia. China props up the Iranian economy, so it can keep sowing chaos in the Middle East. China props up the Russian military to help destabilize Europe. Xi Jinping will keep supporting our enemies because it undermines America.”

3. The US cannot afford to sit back and allow the new axis to grow stronger.

“China, Russia, and Iran are the modern-day axis. While China is the senior partner, its fate is closely tied to the junior members. If we don’t help our friends beat Russia in Europe and Iran in the Middle East, then China will impose its will over Asia, and America itself will be in serious jeopardy. . . . We can turn inward, but the outside world won’t leave us alone. Our future will either be shaped by us and our friends, or it will be shaped by our enemies. Failing to act is the worst action of all. And delaying will only lead to more difficult decisions—and a greater chance of catastrophe.”

Quotes may be edited for clarity and length. 

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