I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as soon as I graduated high school, answering a call to action that the recent terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 had sounded in me. Ever since, I’ve spent my life thinking about service, sacrifice and what it takes to keep America safe.
For 14 years, I wore the uniform of the U.S. Marine Corps. I saw combat in Iraq, taught younger Marines how to build and maintain weapons systems and worked shoulder to shoulder with people who believed that protecting America’s interests wasn’t just about force, but about purpose.
Today, as President Donald Trump and others rightly reexamine America’s priorities abroad, it’s essential we don’t lose sight of a hard truth: if we retreat diplomatically from the world stage, others – namely China and Russia – will fill the vacuum. And they will not share our values, nor will they respect the liberties we have uplifted around the world.
Throughout my deployments, I saw firsthand how U.S. engagement abroad isn’t just about countering threats with our military; it’s also about enabling peace through key international assistance programs.
American aid doesn’t just prevent violence. It gives local leaders the breathing room they needed to rebuild from disasters and communities a chance to hold free and fair elections. In a world full of authoritarian regimes, these victories matter more than ever.
‘America First’ cannot mean ‘America Alone’ on the world stage
America’s strategic presence abroad is not about military might or territory. It’s about influence – and influence matters now more than ever. When we pull back, the doors stay open. We create opportunities for our adversaries. China is pouring money into ports, infrastructure projects and digital networks across the developing world, spreading its model of centralized control. Russia, meanwhile, is exporting chaos and instability through disinformation, proxy wars and backroom diplomacy.
If we want to protect American sovereignty, values and long-term security here at home, we need to stay diplomatically engaged. We need to invest in key U.S. international assistance programs to keep our rivals at bay and protect American troops.
It doesn’t mean endless wars. It means maintaining strategic partnerships, supporting democratic institutions and delivering smart international assistance in key regions where our engagement acts as both a deterrent and a beacon of stability.
Some will say this is at odds with putting America first. I couldn’t disagree more. Putting America first means keeping the rules of the road aligned with our principles, not Beijing’s or Moscow’s. It means recognizing that a stable world order benefits American families, workers and businesses. When we lead, we don’t just protect others. We protect ourselves.
President Trump understands the need for American strength and leadership. His push for fairer trade deals and making our allies pay their fair share are critical priorities. But strength is more than just economic leverage or hard power – it demands strategic international assistance. Our enemies are counting on us to turn inward and leave the field open. If we do, we shouldn’t be surprised when the rules start changing in dangerous, potentially irreversible ways.
I’ve seen what happens when America invests in smart international assistance programs, and when we don’t. In places where we remain engaged, people can sleep through the night, open a market stall or cast a vote without fear. That’s real leadership. That’s peace through strength.
As a veteran and a father of three, I want my children to grow up in a country that still stands tall in the world. Not through simply imposing our will, but by showing what’s possible when freedom leads. That future depends on us staying strategically engaged abroad.
Michael Maglio served as an E-6 Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He retired after 14 years of service, and lives in Jupiter.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: America cannot retreat from the world stage. Our values must be shared abroad. | Opinion
Reporting by Michael Maglio / Palm Beach Post
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