OPINION:
Dear President Trump,
I am writing about a title that I think should be yours: leader of the free world.
The idea that there is such a thing as a free world has become unfashionable, but I think it is worth restoring, and perhaps you do too. Nations free of dictators’ jackboots should be aligned and led by the American president.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first U.S. president to apply the phrase to the nations fighting the Axis.
During the Cold War, the term referred to those siding with America against the Soviet bloc. It meant allies followed Washington’s lead and adversaries hesitated.
Others have been eager to claim the title. In 2010, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, overly enthusiastic about the European Union, said Brussels had a “legitimate claim” to be the “capital of the free world.”
In 2015, Time magazine named Angela Merkel its Person of the Year, calling her “Chancellor of the Free World” on its cover. As you know, that same year, Ms. Merkel opened Germany’s doors to more than 1.2 million mostly non-European immigrants and deepened her country’s dependence on cheap Russian gas.
Right now, the title “leader of the free world” is yours to claim or forfeit. Vladimir Putin hopes you forfeit it.
For nearly five years, Mr. Putin has been waging a war against the Ukrainians, who have fought and bled to remain within the free world. They look to you to lead.
Ukrainians are not asking for American boots on the ground, only that you support the defense of their independence, families and freedom.
Mr. President, you were doing that — providing weapons paid for by NATO members and the intelligence needed to intercept Russian missiles. In recent weeks, however, that has changed.
On Oct. 9, you struck a deal with Mr. Putin on diesel. I know you want lower prices for American farmers, ranchers and truckers, but Russia’s autumn harvest ends this month. After that, Mr. Putin will have plenty of diesel to sell, with the proceeds funding his war machine.
So Mr. Putin gets a financial lifeline, and you get nothing he would not have given anyway.
On fuel prices, you have a stronger story to tell: Democrats have been closing American refineries, calling it “climate action,” and Mr. Biden vowed in 2019 “to end fossil fuels.”
Overnight on Oct. 12-13, Ukraine’s access to Starshield — the military-grade arm of the Starlink satellite network — was throttled, hampering its ability to intercept Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones, which are descended from Iranian designs.
Reports later suggested the limits had been eased, but on Friday, speaking in Brussels, Mr. Zelenskyy said speeds had not returned to the previous limits.
On Oct. 16, you waived nearly every Russia provision of the law you signed last month, named for your friend, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who championed Ukrainian freedom until his untimely death in July.
You proposed an “energy ceasefire,” an excellent idea that the Ukrainians said they would honor if Russia did. Yet Mr. Putin continued to launch missiles and drones at his neighbor’s civilian energy infrastructure, intending to deprive Ukrainians of heat, light and water as winter approaches.
Mr. President, I have been studying Russia for more than half a century, first as an exchange student, then as a journalist and, in recent years, as a think tank denizen. It is clear to me that Mr. Putin will not settle for just a slice of Ukraine.
His realm already spans 11 time zones, from Kaliningrad to the Bering Strait across from Alaska. His goal is to restore the Russian Empire, which is why leaders of formerly captive but now free nations such as Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are fortifying their borders.
Also intolerable to Mr. Putin: a Slavic nation on his doorstep that is pro-American and democratic. That might give ideas to those he rules.
You have spoken out about the violence that has erupted in France and the danger of Europeans surrendering to an Islamist-leftist alliance. Ukrainians, by contrast, are defending their nation, culture and civilization. Does that not deserve your support?
Meanwhile, Mr. Putin is in an axis with the Islamists in Tehran and the communists in Beijing and Pyongyang. These regimes are cooperating militarily, economically and diplomatically. All want to diminish American power and put the very idea of a free world on the ash heap of history.
So here is what I ask of you. Make sure that all Starshield speed limits on Ukraine are lifted, and say so publicly. Rescind the waivers on the Graham sanctions law. Keep the intelligence and NATO-funded weapons flowing.
Beyond restoring your earlier and commendable policies, here are three ways to go further, from my think tank colleague, retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery:
Pressure Greece to transfer its older, expiring Patriot interceptors to Ukraine to help prevent Russian missiles from hitting intended victims. Direct the Air Force to upgrade Ukrainian F-16s to fire ERAM missiles that can hit the launch sites and airfields behind the drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. Direct the Pentagon to grant Ukraine access to Starlink satellites over Russian territory for defensive operations.
These moves would show allies that standing with us pays off, and show adversaries that testing us comes at a cost.
Mr. Putin consistently ignores requests that come without teeth. Frustrating his imperialist ambitions will not make him love peace, but it might make him agree to a ceasefire — which I know you would prefer over continuing carnage.
Should you decide to be the president who restores American leadership of the free world, it will be central to your legacy, alongside your courageous efforts to permanently prevent the jihadis in Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
If you want more of my free advice, Mr. President, you know where to find me.
Your friend,
Cliff
• Clifford D. May is founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a columnist for The Washington Times and host of the “Foreign Podicy” podcast.
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