It’s no coincidence the first Israeli hostages were released on the eve of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. As part of a three-stage accord, three Israeli women were freed on Sunday morning. This critical component of a tenuous ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas promises to resolve the Middle Eastern tragedy that began with the horrific slaughter of innocent civilians back on Oct. 7, 2023.
Following his election in November, Trump warned in colorful terms of dire consequences if the hostages weren’t released by the time he was slated to take the oath of office at noon on Jan. 20.
Many of us are old enough to remember the Iranian hostage crisis that began in 1979. Back then, 53 Americans were held captive for 444 days. President Jimmy Carter and his representatives flailed and fumbled various attempts to negotiate their release. Even a dramatic military rescue was unsuccessful.
Carter and his people negotiated with the Iranians right up until the end of his presidency on Jan. 20, 1981. But it was only after President Ronald Reagan took the oath of office that the hostages were allowed to leave Iran.
Simply put, Iran feared Reagan. It knew his threats weren’t idle ones. Men know when other men are serious about killing you. And unless they have a death wish, they will often blink and back down.
Both the Iranian hostage crisis and this current Israeli one are informative. That’s because what we saw in 1981 and are seeing again in 2025 are good examples of healthy masculinity. In both instances, our enemies backed down because the American president stepped up and stood up to evil and wicked dictators.
The revitalization of American masculinity is our nation’s most pressing need. Strong and principled leadership flows from it, and strong nations thrive when their top people possess it.
Humanity runs best on strength, principled power, and humble authority. If a leader or country cannot reflect those attributes, its interests will go nowhere. In fact, you know what happens? Hostages are taken and held or even killed. The culprits dither until faced with severe consequences and motivated to make a deal.
Scripture makes clear, “When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans” (Proverbs 29:2).
Good men have backbones and stand up to bullies. They stay and fight and refuse to flee danger. They’re courageous. They recognize that masculinity isn’t toxic. It’s God-given and gifted. It all comes down to how it’s used. Good men use their masculinity for good. Bad men use it for evil.
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The Trump administration has pledged to restore common sense and end the so-called gender wars. It has promised to end surgeries on sexually confused children and protect women’s sports. These changes cannot come soon enough.
Please join me in praying that the remaining hostages will be released and that America will continue to be a force for good around the world.
Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family.