Support Reagan’s Russia doctrine

Very few media outlets published information about the Feb. 19 pro-Putin rally or the multitude of Republicans and other influential politicians being pro-Putin and anti-support for Ukraine.

Many within the GOP have witnessed their party evolve from promoting isolationism in the 1930s to moving progressively forward with Dwight Eisenhower’s D-Day victory (1944) and Ronald Reagan’s 1983 warning of Russia’s evil empire. Reagan’s historic diplomacy ended the Cold War. Reagan — a moralist — would support America aiding Ukraine and denouncing Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

All of the living former U.S. presidents, with the exception of Donald Trump, have publicly condemned Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Rupert Murdoch founded Fox News and the six members of his conservative right-wing Wall Street Journal editorial board solemnly stated in its March 16 op-ed, “If Ukraine manages a victory even as Republicans call for retreat, the GOP will have surrendered one of its core selling points as the party voters trust on national security. It would then be all the harder to marshal support and resources for a stronger U.S. military deterrent against China. … China and Russia and Iran are combining forces to threaten the U.S. in a way not seen since the 1980s.”

Many Republicans who are pro-Putin are currently holding or seeking political office. Others are broadcasting their support of Russian aggression. They include: Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson (Fox News), Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL), Michael Flynn, Nick Fuentas (Am. First PAC), Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ), Laura Ingraham (Fox News), Charlie Kirk (Turning Point USA), Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA), Rep. Mary Miller (IL), Peter Navarro, Candace Owens (Daily Wire), Rep. Scott Perry (CA), Erik Prince (Blackwater), Rep. Wendy Rogers (AZ), Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT), Roger Stone, Donald Trump, Jr., Donald J. Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance (OH) (www.accountability.gop).

Attending a Feb. 19 pro-Putin rally at Washington were former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Independent,), former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Democrat), former Rep. Ron Paul (Libertarian) and Jill Stein (Green Party).

Several groups — independent from one another — reveal “the Kremlin has deployed disinformation themes and tactics to weaken U.S. support for Kyiv with help from conservative media stars and some Republicans in Congress” (The Guardian, March 16).

The Guardian article reveals GOP House Freedom Caucus members Marjorie Taylor Greene, Scott Perry and Paul Gosar are advancing pro-Russian messages while Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon “have promoted some of the most baseless claims that help bolster the Kremlin’s aggression.”

It’s possible the next President of the United States will be pro-Putin despite the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant to Putin for war crimes and kidnapping over 6,000 Ukrainian children.

Upholding Reagan’s peace through strength message against Russia, China, Iran and North Korea must be upheld by all patriotic Americans.

Steve Corbin is professor emeritus of marketing at the University of Northern Iowa.

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