Russian 'Make America Weak Again' dream coming true
European security questions expose tensions between alliance obligations and American interests.
The mainstream framing treats Russia and China’s taunts as clever branding, as if “MAWA” is just a meme-worthy headline. That misses the point. Their aim is not wordplay.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
If China and Russia were to have a joint slogan for their “strategic partnership,” it could be “MAWA – Make America Weak Again.” And if they had a dream,
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
The mainstream framing treats Russia and China’s taunts as clever branding, as if “MAWA” is just a meme-worthy headline. That misses the point. Their aim is not wordplay. It is to test whether America still has the seriousness to defend its interests.
The soft spot they are probing is institutional credibility. When Washington looks distracted, when enforcement is selective, and when strategy shifts with each news cycle, adversaries see an opening. Deterrence is not a vibe. It is rule of law, clear priorities, and consequences that stick.
A conservative view starts with national security realism: secure borders, resilient energy, and a defense posture built for great-power competition, not press conferences. The real stake is public trust, because a divided and cynical country is easier to pressure abroad and harder to govern at home.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.