Ambassador John Rakolta, Ambassador David Fischer, and Mercedes Schlapp - CPAC Israel 2022
Mercedes Schlapp hosts a panel discussion titled ‘Peace Through Strength’ at CPAC Israel with Former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco David Fischer and Former U.S. Ambassador to United Arab Emirates John Rakolta.
The ambassadors share with Mercedes their experiences serving U.S. foreign relations in the Middle East during the Trump administration. From their work with America’s allies abroad, Rakolta and Fischer know the importance of strong, assertive leadership from United States for the benefit of our allies and the detriment of our enemies.
Rakolta remarks, “Every human on the face of this planet, wants a better life for their children, wants a great education, access to healthcare, certainty of food, and that’s what peace through prosperity actually brings to them.”
Israel leads the Middle East, and perhaps the world, in accomplishing peace through strength. As such, Israel is central to evangelizing democratic principles and creating a stable environment between the countries in the Middle East. Rakolta calls it “a start-up nation of unprecedented success…Israel is the beacon of modernity in the region. It is a democratic state.”
Israel’s success offers teaching opportunities to nations in the Middle East like the United Arab Emirates that are also seeking peace and prosperity through the implementation of democratic principles. The support of the United States in this endeavor is crucial and is sadly lacking in the current administration.
“The first thing we need to do is show leadership.” Fischer advocates for assertive, powerful leadership from the President of the United States that begins with energy policy. “I think we need to go back to an energy independent America. We need to lead the world with appropriate and consistent programs. We can’t change every couple of months to whatever will be perceived. People cannot pay $8 a gallon for gasoline. We are going towards an electric vehicle economy that we can’t afford.”
America’s current energy policy has widespread effects from destroying the domestic economy to neglecting allies like Israel, leaving them unaided while surrounded by hostile neighbors.