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For immediate release: June 25, 2025

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** Latest Ripon Forum Examines What America Means to the Free World
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With essays by Paul D. Miller, Don Bacon, Dusty Johnson, and Jen Kiggans, among others; plus, a profile of Ashley Hinson
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WASHINGTON, DC — Less than a week after American bombers struck three nuclear weapons facilities in Iran, the latest edition of The Ripon Forum examines what the United States means to the free world with a series of essays about the importance of U.S. leadership and why this leadership will be critical to keeping the world peaceful, prosperous, and free in the coming years.

“The free world is good for America, and America is good for the free world,” writes Georgetown University Professor Paul D. Miller ([link removed]) in the lead essay of this latest edition. “Today the free world has enemies abroad and doubts at home. China and Russia are mounting a full-spectrum assault on the free world; Iran and North Korea are smaller satellites to their efforts. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iran’s proxy attack on Israel, and China’s maneuvering against Taiwan are not isolated developments. They are all attacks on the free world order.”

“We should face the threat the same way we always have. American grand strategy at its best always aims to preserve and expand American power by preserving and expanding American ideals. Power and justice go hand-in-hand. They are the twin pillars — better yet, the two fists — of an effective strategy. Power without justice is cynical and immoral; justice without power is weak and naïve. Together, they are tough-minded but morally aspirational, focused on American interests but mindful of our impact on the world at large. That means, first, American power — and the power of our free world allies — must remain unmatched.”

Nebraska Congressman and retired Air Force Brigadier General Don Bacon ([link removed]) agrees. “America’s global leadership faces unprecedented tests as authoritarian regimes grow more aggressive across Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East,” the lawmaker writes. “We must stand united with the world’s strongest coalition of democratic nations to confront these threats. However, the strength of this alliance depends on more than statements and symbolism. It demands action and an American resolve backed by real capability.”

Dusty Johnson ([link removed]) , who represents South Dakota in the U.S. House and Chairs the Republican Main Street Caucus strikes a similar note in his essay. “America is safer and more secure when we have an engaged and strong presence in global affairs,” Johnson writes. “In the face of international conflict, America has a choice – to lead or retreat. In stark contrast to our former president, President Trump has chosen to lead. This decision affects the whole world as countries look to how America responds to threats of war, invasions, and attacks on our allies. They look to America’s leadership.”

According to Virginia Congresswoman and Navy veteran Jen Kiggans ([link removed]) , this leadership is long overdue. “During President Biden’s Administration,” she writes, “threats abroad reached critical levels. Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, China became increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan and internationally, and Iran supported, and continues to support, violent terrorism in the Middle East. While thankfully not in our backyard, these events pose a very real threat to our peace here at home and thus require American leadership to ensure those who seek to harm our interests are kept in check or defeated.”

In other essays examining the importance of U.S. leadership in the face of increasing global threats, Atlantic Council senior fellow and retired U.S. Army Colonel Shawn Creamer ([link removed]) writes about the rise of China and why it is time for the U.S. to end what he argues is a three decade-long “strategic holiday” and take this threat seriously. Steven Kosiak ([link removed]) of the Quincy Institute examines U.S. spending on hard and soft power and shares his thoughts about where the Trump Administration is spending too much, and far too little. Robert Peters ([link removed]) of the Heritage Foundation discusses the need for America to modernize its nuclear arsenal. And Justin Logan ([link removed]) of the Cato Institute provides a preview of the
upcoming NATO Summit in the Hague and why he believes it is time for the President to rebalance the transatlantic alliance.

Johns Hopkins Professor Judd Walson ([link removed]) squares off with Brett Schaefer ([link removed]) of the American Enterprise Institute in a debate over America’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization. And in the latest Ripon Profile, Iowa Congresswoman and former journalist Ashley Hinson ([link removed]) reflects on why she ran for political office, and what drives her in her job today.

The Ripon Forum is published six times a year by The Ripon Society, a public policy organization that was founded in 1962 and takes its name from the town where the Republican Party was born in 1854 – Ripon, Wisconsin. One of the main goals of The Ripon Society is to promote the ideas and principles that have made America great and contributed to the GOP’s success. These ideas include keeping our nation secure, keeping taxes low and having a federal government that is smaller, smarter and more accountable to the people.

For more information on The Ripon Society, please visit www.riponsociety.org ([link removed]) .

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The Ripon Society is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. It is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to section 501 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Ripon Society does not make contributions or expenditures to influence elections. In addition, The Ripon Society does not engage in other election activities, including voter registration, voter identification, get-out-the-vote activity, or generic campaign activity, collectively referred to as "federal election activity" in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. Donations from corporations, organizations or individuals are accepted.

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