This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.

Sweden and Finland have just been admitted to NATO, bringing fresh forces and capabilities to bear at a critical moment. And Tom Cruise is uplifting millions of patriotic Americans and others still rooting for our country with his Top Gun sequel, “Maverick.”

That’s the good news. The bad news is that the U.S. military that is the backbone of the NATO alliance and that is currently being portrayed so evocatively by Hollywood is in serious trouble.

Leading indicators are the dramatic shortfalls in recruitment being experienced at the moment by most of the armed services. Factors like Biden’s Afghan debacle, inflation, personal pronouns, the priority given to Critical Race indoctrination and ideological purges and forcing out healthy warriors unwilling to take COVID vaccines are destroying readiness, confidence in the uniformed leadership and eligible candidates’ willingness to serve.

Such unforced errors imperil America.

This is Frank Gaffney.