War and Terrorism Threaten Us All, Who Will Lead the House?

Israel attacked, Ukraine invaded, and the forces of terrorism rising again — the House needs a strong Speaker: Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul.

U.S. Ambassadors Sheba Crocker and Michèle Taylor joined the Ambassador of Israel and members of Geneva’s international community in front of the United Nations to show solidarity with Israel and to condemn the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks. (U.S. Mission Photos: Eric Bridiers)

“The Story of 11 Families Who Were Victims of Hamas,” began Lee Yaron for The New Yorker this weekend.

Yaron’s heart-rending attempt to humanize and personalize the recent terrorist attack on Israeli civilians perpetrated by Hamas was an excellent reminder of what is truly at stake in the escalating conflict.

It is always the human costs — in this conflict and in Ukraine — that are the most difficult to bear.

Across the geopolitical landscape, a dark cloud has been growing these past few years. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, coups in Africa and Myanmar, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, and China edging ever closer to Taiwan; strong American leadership is missing from the picture, and sorely missed.

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment in Washington, in the world, and in the House of Representatives. At a time when the U.S. needs good leadership more than ever, the House is without a Speaker.

The role of Speaker of the House in the United States Congress is pivotal, particularly in times of international crisis. Given the ongoing challenges related to both the situation…