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Defense & Aerospace Report

Reflections as America Celebrates Its 250th Birthday

patrick-cronin
patrick-cronin
Asia-Pacific Security Chair
Patrick M. Cronin
The moon is visible behind the US Capitol on December 2, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images) Share to Twitter
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The moon is visible behind the US Capitol on December 2, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Patrick Cronin shares his reflections as America reaches 250 years since its establishment. He warns that “we are a great power,” so when the “United States retreats, the world suffers.” He also encourages the American people to not “retreat to our personal lives,” and he says we need to “be active” to ensure the Republic survives. He notes that “we can self-correct . . . we owe it to our younger citizens, to those who have not experienced the prosperity and optimism of the US.”