[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 172 (Thursday, October 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5094-S5095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 ISRAEL

  Mr. McCONNELL. There is evil in the world, and for the better part of 
the last century, America and our allies were squarely in the 
crosshairs. Unfortunately, we tend to forget that.
  On September 12, 2001, George Will coined a phrase, saying that the 
free

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world's ``holiday from history'' was over. When Russia escalated its 
lawless invasion of Ukraine last year, many observers, including former 
Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, invoked the same idea.
  The West is at a crossroads. Increasingly, fringe voices on the left 
and right are insisting that it is not America's business to lead. They 
seem willing to accept American decline and to assume that their lack 
of interest in history means history won't be interested in them. 
Meanwhile, many of our allies are waking up to their own commitments to 
collective defense.
  As the world was reminded last February in Ukraine and again on 
October 7 in Israel, some of our friends and fellow democracies have 
never had the option of taking a holiday from history. Israel has no 
choice but vigilant self-defense because murderous theocrats and 
terrorists have vowed to wipe it off the map. Ukraine has no choice but 
all-out resistance because an authoritarian thug with delusions of 
Soviet glory has spent years butchering its people and carving up its 
sovereign territory. Half a world away, the free people of Taiwan have 
no choice but to stare down the threat from a communist superpower 
intent on bringing their island to heel.
  It is hard to ignore the growing strategic alignment between these 
authoritarian forces. They share an interest in one another's violent 
pursuits and in undermining the West--especially America.
  Take the growing strategic partnership between Russia and Iran. The 
Obama administration foolishly welcomed Putin's intervention in Syria, 
and it gave Russia influence in the Middle East it hadn't had since the 
1970s--mostly at America's expense. Iran and its terror proxies were 
glad to see Putin prop up Bashar Assad. Under Russian protection, Syria 
became a training ground and logistics superhighway from Tehran's 
terror network. And as terrorists challenge America and Israel in the 
region, Russia is the beneficiary.
  It is a symbiotic relationship for the bad guys, and it has only 
continued to grow. Russia defends Iran at the U.N., and Iran is now 
providing the same lethal drones its terrorist proxies use to attack 
American forces in Syria and Iraq directly to Russia for use against 
Ukraine.
  The world's largest state sponsor of terror--with American, Israeli, 
and Arab blood on its hands--is also sponsoring Russia's war against 
our friends in Europe.
  As one good analysis put it recently, ``When Hezbollah terrorists, 
Hezbollah mercenaries, and Iranian theocrats chant `Death to America' 
after murdering Israelis, they're not confused.'' And it is hardly 
surprising that Putin has aligned his regime with this terror, given 
the devastation his forces inflict on civilians in Ukraine.
  Meanwhile, China isn't just keeping a close eye on the West's resolve 
to resist Russian aggression and Iran-backed terrorism; they are 
actually getting more directly involved. Just yesterday, for example, a 
summit of the PRC's so-called Belt and Road Initiative--a massive 
influence operation aimed at bringing more parts of the world under 
Beijing's thumb--featured Vladimir Putin as the guest of honor--yet 
another sign that Russia and China are serious about their ``friendship 
without limits.''
  Beijing has released a flurry of statements responding to terrorist 
savagery by condemning Israel's self-defense operations and 
conspicuously avoiding any mention of Hamas.
  The PRC is stepping up its coordination with and support for Iran. It 
is no surprise that the regime that wants to break the will of the free 
people of Taiwan is eager to see its fellow travelers in Tehran and 
Moscow do the same to Israel and Ukraine.
  Our adversaries know the challenges they pose to us are linked. The 
belief that we can abandon allies in one part of the world and not hurt 
allies elsewhere simply doesn't hold water. In fact, it is naive and 
dangerous.
  The people of Israel have a right to defend themselves, and the 
United States has an interest in our closest ally in the Middle East 
rooting out terrorists like Hamas.
  Ukraine has a right to sovereignty, and the United States has an 
interest in Europe--our largest trading partner and strongest ally--not 
facing an emboldened thug at its gates.
  Taiwan and other Asian democracies have a right to self-
determination, and the United States has an interest in helping Asian 
partners stand up to Chinese aggression.
  We need to remember America is a superpower. Our interests are 
global, and with global interests come global responsibilities. Our 
alliances matter. Our credibility matters. Our friends on the 
frontlines of authoritarian aggression and terrorist savagery don't 
have the opportunity to take a holiday from history, and America can't 
afford to either.
  In the coming days, it will be the Senate's responsibility to take 
strong and decisive action to put maximum support behind Israel's self-
defense, equip Ukraine for victory as it defines it, and help Taiwan 
deter growing threats.
  The prosperity America has known for the better part of a century is 
the direct product of our leadership. Preserving it means standing with 
our friends and investing in our own strength.

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