What is strategic respect and what does our countries’ look like? Strategic respect is about the weight other countries factor in our response. It is the consideration of “If we do X, what will the United States do?” We have historically had very high strategic respect – top one or two considerations. We have slid far from that. Other countries not only no longer give us strong strategic respect but view our current administration as clowns. Not a good place for us to be as a country. And now we are in numerous proxy wars. Our military has been weakened and is spread thin. Also, not a good place for us to be. And, consider the impact that the flood of illegals into this country is having on us. We know the numbers are huge and we know that there are terrorists who are now in this country. That is a serious danger. Another serious danger is how the illegals could be the trigger to civil war. Citizens having to defend themselves and their communities from attacks by illegals rioting or cartels in turf wars. That is happening currently in both France and Great Britian. It will happen here. As we all continue to see, hear about and experience increased crime and violence, it is important to give serious consideration and have the mindset to know that YOU WILL BE ON YOUR OWN. There will be times and situations when you will have to defend yourself and your family. When a situation happens, no matter how fast the response is – whether from 911 or from Washington Guard members responding, you will have to survive the initial situation on your own. When the attacks happened in Israel last month, were they dialing 911 (their version)? Absolutely. No one responded. Developing and strengthening your mindset to be a survivor and developing your skills to do so continues to be increasingly important. When I met with the prior Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, I talked to him about the danger of Hamas and that their end goal was to destroy Israel, which he acknowledged. I asked him why they haven’t gone in and done what they need to do to ensure the safety and survival of Israel. His answer? “The West will not allow it.” For years, Israel has had a neighbor who wants them eliminated off the face of the earth. In the intelligence business there is a term - Day of Reckoning - when there is no turning back, and you have to keep pushing forwards. Israel had their Day of Reckoning on Oct 7.