Since World War II, the United States and allied countries have developed and implemented a “rules-based international order” in the world, which has kept world civilization safe from destruction.

But the world order is now being threatened by Xi Jinping of China who claims sovereignty over the South China Sea, threatens to attack Taiwan, is conducting genocide against Uighur Muslims, imprisoned many dissidents, and whose country was the birthplace of the COVID pandemic.

Vladimir Putin of Russia went to war against Georgia and is now attempting to conquer Ukraine in a bid to expand the Russian empire in Europe, and he has thoughts of occupying Poland and other European countries. He continues his dictatorship in Russia.

North Korea continues to threaten South Korea and the United States with nuclear war.

Iran sponsors terrorist groups in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza; and it threatens Israel with annihilation.

The United States must continue to support our allies against the forces of tyranny and evil through defense agreements to prevent the collapse of the rules-based international order. A collapse could lead to a major war with many millions of people killed and the doubling of U.S. defense budgets.

Donald Moskowitz

Londonderry, New Hamsphire