The problem I have with progressive foreign policy is that it's so naive and assumes all actors are rational and good-will gestures will be reciprocated. That's a dangerous assumption in today's world.

If we cut our defense topline and nuclear modernization budget with the hopes that other countries will reciprocate when they see us doing it and they end up not doing it, we've now weakened our deterrence which leads to greater instability and increases the chance for conflict.

What many on the far-left, including the Squad, don't realize is that our defense procurement isn't just about having the best weapons for when conflict breaks out - it's about deterring conflict in the first place.

Even if we did a very modest cut to our defense topline and still spent more than any other nation on earth on defense, the message it sends to our adversaries in China and Russia is that the U.S. has become less willing to defend itself and its allies.

That message will be viewed by Russia as an invitation to continue its bad behavior in Eastern Europe and in the MENA region and viewed by China that the U.S. doesn't have the appetite to stand up for democracy and human rights or willing to defend its allies in Taiwan.

And if those on the far-left or far-right say we shouldn't give a damn about Taiwan either to avoid war or for some "America First" isolationist garbage then we've lost the mantle as THE world leader and we're no longer that shining city on a hill that stands for hope and freedom

I should add that I'm a proud Democrat but Democrats should not oppose necessary defense spending simply because the GOP supports it. U.S. national security, defense of democracy, and standing up for human rights should not be a partisan issue.