In 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution broke out in Russia, and in his second year in office, President Woodrow Wilson sent U.S. troops to intervene in the Russian Far East, remaining until 1922. Wilson laid the foundation for the Cold War and the containment of communism. Mutual distrust, ideological opposition, and diplomatic isolation between the U.S. and Russia were driven by the confrontation between capitalism and communism.

President Wilson warned: “The poison of communism has seeped into the veins of free peoples.” He recognized that the Bolsheviks seized power through violence and deceit, and that they represented a negation of America’s values. Wilson’s insight into the dangers of communism became the basis for U.S. policy toward Russia for more than a decade; the United States refused to recognize the Soviet government until 1933.

By 1890, the U.S. had surpassed Britain in comprehensive national power, becoming the world’s leading nation. Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909) adapted to America’s rising power and global trends, pushing the U.S. from a continental to a global stage. In 1906, he mediated the Russo-Japanese War, earning recognition for promoting world peace. Roosevelt then convened a 12-nation conference in Europe to resolve disputes among Germany, France, and others, preventing war. At the end of 1907, he dispatched a fleet of 16 powerful warships on a global tour for over a year, demonstrating U.S. strength, maintaining world order, and deterring Japan from rash actions.

After Roosevelt established the U.S. as a leading global power, Wilson (1913–1921) demonstrated leadership on the world stage. He personally went to Paris to oversee post–World War I peace negotiations, drafting the 14 Points in 1918. A key point was the creation of an international body (the League of Nations) to prevent future wars. For founding the League of Nations, Wilson received the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize. Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate refused to join, depriving the League of America’s mediation, balancing, and arbitration power, which contributed to the outbreak of World War II twenty years later.

Wilson’s vision encompassed both U.S. interests and the broader global picture. He intervened in complex international disputes with the perspective of a responsible world leader. Though public sentiment at the time leaned toward isolationism, Wilson’s foresight left a lasting influence.

President Hoover preserved traditional American values, recognizing the threat of communism, openly criticizing Roosevelt’s alliance with Stalin as a disaster for humanity.

President Eisenhower explicitly stated: “The ultimate goal of the United States is to eliminate the communist threat for world peace and human welfare.”

President Reagan (1981–1989) clearly recognized the danger of Soviet communism, denouncing the Soviet Union as the “Evil Empire” and dedicating substantial resources to nuclear deterrence, ultimately contributing to the collapse of the Soviet bloc.

America is overcoming its historical mistakes of retreating from global affairs. It is poised to rise again, stand tall, and assume the responsibilities of global leadership, guiding the world in the direction of justice and morality.

There is hope for a new president with the vision and global perspective of Wilson, Hoover, Eisenhower, and Reagan—someone capable of addressing fundamental world issues, countering the threat of communism, and compelling China under Xi Jinping to abandon communism and transition to constitutional democracy, benefiting all humanity. Only the United States, with its national strength and moral authority, can achieve this and potentially earn another Nobel Peace Prize.

While Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945) led the Allies to victory in World War II, he lacked Wilson’s foresight and failed to recognize the threat posed by Stalin. By cooperating with Stalin, who colluded with Hitler in the war, Roosevelt allowed communism to expand globally, posing long-term dangers.

Two years after World War II, Stalin closed off Berlin in 1947, aiming to drive out the U.S., but Truman (1945–1953) responded with the Berlin Airlift, preserving America’s presence. Yet Truman, like Roosevelt, failed to foresee the dangers of communism in China, allowing Mao Zedong to defeat Chiang Kai-shek, enabling communist dominance in China for 30 years and expanding global communist influence.

President Reagan, as noted, understood the Soviet communist threat and dedicated significant resources to nuclear deterrence, contributing to the collapse of the Soviet bloc.

President Trump (2017–2021), elected by a narrow majority, approaches world affairs with a business mindset, focusing on short-term interests rather than global strategy. His “America First” policy, including withdrawal from Syria in 2018 despite warnings from the Secretary of Defense, isolates the U.S. and neglects the responsibilities of maintaining global peace.

Today, in an interconnected world, no nation can live in isolation. Over 100 years ago, Wilson recognized this reality; today it is even more pressing. Trump focuses narrowly on threats like “Made in China 2025,” failing to grasp the broader danger posed by communism. Xi Jinping celebrates Marx’s 200th birthday, glorifying a system that caused over 100 million deaths in the 20th century, attempting to assert its relevance against modern global civilization—a major threat to world order.

There is hope that the U.S. will soon see a Wilsonian-style president with global vision, capable of understanding the fundamental issues affecting world peace, countering communism, compelling China to abandon the communist system, and promoting constitutional democracy—ultimately contributing to humanity’s peace and prosperity. With America’s power and moral authority, no other country can achieve this. If China moves toward freedom and democracy, the U.S. can also make concessions on trade and high-tech restrictions, working together for global stability and shared responsibility.