More and more, analysts are concerned about the geopolitical weakness of the Fifty States – some stating it is weaker at any time since before World War 2. When coupled with the more and more common memes of the “end of American democracy” and “insurrection” and other nastiness, it is a concern we should address.

This geopolitical weakness now is not unique. The major competitors of the US – Russia, China, and the European Union – are also facing what some call their own geopolitical doom, particularly due to demographics. And while the States has unrivaled and truly amazing geopolitical advantages and demographic superiority, supposedly knowledgable people still claim American weakness. And demand it be fixed. Many of those “experts: point to the weakness during the Carter Administration, and to the post-Vietnam mess. And claim that those weaknesses were addressed and fixed. And that we must do the same and more because this is worse (“an order of magnitude”) than the mid-1970s or mid-1980s.

Is today a totally different and worse situation? As far as military weakness? Some points.

1. Recruitment is way, way down. Why? Many young men and women are not interested in being indoctrinated into today’s Woke army where diversity, inclusion, and equity (DIE) is more important than combat skills. In addition, more and more people realize that Congress and the White House are far more concerned with imperial ambitions than with defending the Constitution, our freedom, and our homeland. And that profits for Beltway Bandits (more and more government contractors) take priority over building and maintaining effective weapons systems that can be used for defending the nation.
2. Those weapons systems require a lot not being given today: good training in using them, for one thing. When more and more basic and advanced training time is taken up in teaching “prevention” of some types of sexual harassment (and promotion of other types), in teaching the “proper” use of pronouns, and ensuring that you do not “appropriate” some culture or another by ordering and preparing the wrong mixture of foods.
3. Some evil GOP Senator is abusing his power and refusing to confirm military leadership positions, thus disabling the military chain of command. (We don’t buy this one, but it is being made.)
4. The military is still filled with systemic racism, sexism, prejudice, and disloyalty, evidenced by hundreds of indicators: rape and sexual abuse, escapees to North Korea, disgruntlement over renaming military installations named for Confederate traitors and slaveowners, and refusal to welcome and use as combat troops transsexual individuals, gangbangers, and even some men and women who are other-abled. (Again, this is claimed – but we don’t buy it.)
5. The families of some American soldiers are on food stamps and dependent on food banks and subsidized housing, while their military members are in harm’s way.
6. The vaunted American weapons developed over the past 50 years are proving to be useless in the hands of brave and determined Ukrainian soldiers fighting off evil Russian hordes: they are therefore total failures, and we Americans and our military are unable to protect us and our way of life against outside invaders. (Except, of course, we must welcome and not consider everyone boiling up from the south across the border as invaders: it is Russian and Chinese fleets and air forces and mass armies that are the real threat.)

So what is wrong with all this?

First off, Geopolitical weakness and strength are much more than military preparedness and capabilities. Those things are important. But equally important? Sound decision-making on the part of military and civilian leadership. Good intelligence. Moral courage and a willingness to know and face the truth. And related to military capabilities, the ability of the economy, industry, and society to support the proper use of military force. All of which ties back to decision-making, and understanding the proper role of military force.

It is to defend and protect. Not to occupy, warp, or change society, build up (or tear down) other nations and societies. Not to finance industry or education or the back pockets of politicians. But all these things are what the FedGov – especially the Congress and White House – are using the military for. At the same time their actions weaken society, non-governmental institutions, families, and the economy.

Our geopolitical weakness may be real if overstated, today. But it is not due to failing to fund military forces. Not due to what the military is doing.

Rather, it is what is being done to the military and to society. And the economy. We are, in Pogo’s words, our own enemy.

At least one person has put their finger on it: “The weak leadership in the US is inviting unprecedented challenges from our main enemies.” But just who are our “main enemies” today? Is it Russians or Chinese? Islamic terrorists or European Woke socialists? African dictators? Border-jumping “invaders” from across the Rio Grande and Sonora and Baja California?

We suggest that our main enemies are ourselves. Not just Uncle Joe, who may indeed be the “weakest link” in the chain of command and our defenses. Not just Congress, which approves and authorizes and acquiesces in using our military for social experimentation and to garrison the planet, or even to support corrupt regimes fighting other corrupt regimes, and make profits for their political cronies. Not just the judges and bureaucrats. But the States and the people who go along with this: who leave those people in office, who worship the military and the state. Who submits willingly – even eagerly – to those people.

Look in the mirror, folks, when asking why America may be at bay today, in a world where we have every advantage God has granted.