I thought I’d never have to say this in my lifetime, but this is 2026, and sadly nothing is what it used to be. The Trump administration has become an appeaser to autocrats and dictators, putting their personal whims before the best interests of the American people and those of the free world. What is it about Putin that President Trump fawns over? How will America’s allies ever be able to trust this administration again when they are now turning against them at a time of war and suffering? The slowdown of Starlink/Starshield and the inexplicable lack of advance warning of Russian missile launches have already caused Ukrainian civilians to die unnecessarily. How much worse can it get? If one thing is clear it’s that European leaders must overcome the initial shock about Trump’s recent actions and step up to the plate. It’s as much about Europe’s freedom as it is about Ukraine’s sovereignty. Both are worth fighting for. All options should be on the table now, from the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine to the delivery of advanced weapons systems such as Germany’s Taurus. Why oh why is this happening? We cannot let the free world be dismantled before our very eyes. | 994 comments on LinkedIn