“Decapitation” is graphic way of describing the evident object of Vladimir Putin’s intensifying invasion of Ukraine. Unfortunately, if this despot can get away with not only eliminating an elected government in one of Russia’s neighbors, but presumably installing one to his liking there, other enemies of freedom will surely be emboldened to do the same.

Former President Trump warns that Russia’s “twin sister” –  Communist China – will be next to act on Beijing’s longstanding ambition to extend its enslaving misrule to Taiwan.

The question now is: Can such calculations – whether by the Chinese Communist Party or other thugs allied with Russia and China – still be influenced? That will depend in part on whether endangered governments are convinced that they will be better supported than we have those of Afghanistan, and now Ukraine. Or whether they should simply surrender preemptively to freedom’s enemies.

This is Frank Gaffney.