In 1959, Stefan T. Possony, international security strategist, warned about the insidious attack of communist ideology and its “paralysis” of Western society. In a strategy lesson republished by the U.S. Department of Defense, he wrote: “We would be foolish to ignore that the Communists have made great strides in the art of psychological manipulation. The West does not yet understand the nature of the psychological attack that has been launched. It does not comprehend the causes of its paralysis, and often does not even notice that its freedom to act has been impeded.”
Startlingly, many people remain ignorant as their “freedom to act” is strangled. That’s why I wrote Last Warning to the West: Hungary’s Triumph Over Communism and the Woke Agenda. Hungary succeeded in turning a Nazi- and communist-occupied and exploited country, struggling for survival and autonomy, into an independent and prosperous nation, while maintaining their unique Magyar identity. The story of Hungary has much to teach us if we are willing to learn.
POWER OF THE PEN: BIDEN ISSUES TWO MORE VETO THREATSThe progressivism sweeping the Western world today is rooted in the same Bolshevik Marxism that destroyed Eastern Europe and millions of lives. It continues to destroy our Western traditions based on human dignity and freedom. Aspects of Bolshevism have been integrated into every facet of American society: legalized abortion on demand trumpeted as healthcare, the diminishment of parental rights and authority, and the liberalization of marriage and divorce leading to the ultimate decay of the family. In 1990, the USSR accounted for 10%-20% of all abortions worldwide , with 6.5 million each year.
Progressivism seeks change for power’s sake — not for the progress of society. On the contrary, on many issues — open borders, surgical gender “transitioning,” abortion on demand, promoting racial divisiveness, embracing lawlessness, suppressing free speech and political opposition, abhorring religiosity, and applauding the degradation of cities — the Left increases and consolidates power by destroying society, and with it, our national pride and security.
This quote from Last Warning to the West sums it up:
The West may have defeated the Russians in the Cold War in terms of territorial expansion, but they did not win the Cold War of ideology. Instead, they perpetuated and enabled the spread of communism—and at the end of World War II, they gave the Communists the people, the land, and the power to reach this goal.
Recently on a trip to Budapest, I was startled by the number of Hungarians who told me (with confused looks on their faces) that the rhetoric currently coming out of the United States reminds them of their own “Soviet days.” We should pay attention—our government, corporations, and our media and political elites find it way too easy to oppress freedom of thought and speech, to ‘cancel’ those who disagree with their ideological or political agenda, and to use regular deception, ‘lawfare’ and audacious lies to take away people’s livelihoods and reputation.
The past three years under the Biden administration have made the collapse of America’s values frighteningly clear. President Joe Biden, like former President Barack Obama, has rejected American principles with policies that destroy America’s heart and our relations with foreign governments, except Biden is even more reckless and emboldened. Like Obama, Biden uses the military for his social agenda, panders to globalists, funds Hamas terrorism, and neglects U.S. interests and security.
Biden’s presidency has cost the U.S. hard-won prestige, credibility, and the power to deter the bad actors of Russia, China, and Iran — a direct result of his demonstrated weakness, terrible policies, and costly withdrawal from Afghanistan.
U.S. national insecurity is further exacerbated by his border policies allowing undocumented illegal immigrants, terrorists, and deadly fentanyl to flow into U.S. communities.
Global attitudes toward the U.S. are at an all-time low. Following World War II, the world looked to the U.S. as a guiding light for freedom, prosperity, and democratic values. Yet today, our foreign policy and aid promote progressive social ideology, including the Left’s diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda, radical gender ideology, and abortion, trampling on our allies’ sovereignty and religious freedom.
But the U.S. can still reverse course. The journey that Hungary took to throw off authoritarian oppression and later to say “no” to the European Union’s woke agenda is a model for us, and it is fascinating. Hungary’s example is full of hope and despair, courage and fear, unbearable brutality and great, enduring humanity. The time to heed its warning is now.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM RESTORING AMERICAShea Bradley-Farrell is president of Counterpoint Institute for Policy, Research, and Education in Washington, D.C. and an expert in national security and foreign policy. She is also the first international senior fellow for the Center For Fundamental Rights in Budapest, Hungary. Her book, Last Warning to the West, Hungary’s Triumph Over Communism and the Woke Agenda will be available on Amazon on Dec. 7, 2023.