Stopping Authoritarianism at Home Requires Ending U.S. Support for It Abroad

The spread of authoritarianism poses a significant threat to democracy, both domestically and globally. To effectively combat this menace at home, it is imperative that we reassess and reform our foreign policies that may inadvertently support or propagate authoritarian practices abroad. Historically, tactics employed in U.S.-backed foreign interventions have often found their way back into domestic policy, a phenomenon explored in the Boston Review article “The Boomerang Comes Back.” (https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/the-boomerang-comes-back/)These include the militarization of police forces, expansive surveillance measures, suppression of journalistic freedoms, and the criminalization of peaceful protests. Such practices, initially justified in foreign contexts, risk becoming normalized within our own borders, thereby eroding the democratic principles we strive to uphold. In recent years, the United States has maintained substantial military support for Israel, even amidst escalating conflicts in Gaza. For instance, in February 2025, the Trump administration approved a $3 billion arms sale to Israel, which included a significant number of bombs and warheads. This continued military assistance, despite ongoing humanitarian concerns, raises critical questions about our commitment to human rights and international law. Furthermore, the United Nations Security Council has faced challenges in addressing the Gaza conflict, with various resolutions calling for ceasefires being vetoed or failing to pass. This impasse underscores the complexities and geopolitical dynamics that often hinder effective international responses to humanitarian crises. To safeguard our democratic values domestically, it is essential that our foreign policy reflects a steadfast commitment to human rights and the rule of law. This entails critically evaluating and, where necessary, reevaluating our alliances and support to ensure they do not contribute to the perpetuation of authoritarian practices or the undermining of democratic principles abroad. I urge you to consider the profound implications of our foreign policy decisions on the health of our own democracy. By aligning our international actions with our democratic ideals, we can more effectively counter authoritarianism both at home and abroad.