Comment Section for Opinion | If Only We’d Fight as Hard to Save Our Democracy as Ukrainians Are to Save Theirs - The New York Times

This New York Times opinion piece by Thomas Friedman, dated Sept. 23, 2025, contrasts the efforts of Ukrainians to safeguard their democracy with what he sees as the lackluster efforts in the United States to do the same. Drawing from his observations in Ukraine, Friedman criticizes Donald Trump's policies, which he argues are damaging to American democracy and favor autocrats like Russia's Vladimir Putin and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu. Friedman praises Ukraine's resilience in the face of war and corruption, for example, their ability to rapidly develop their own drone industry and their active protests against laws that would weaken anti-corruption measures. He contrasts this with what he sees as complacency in the U.S., exemplified by tech titans and the Republican party, and claims that social media activism is insufficient. The columnist also criticizes Trump's support for Netanyahu's attempts to delegitimize the Palestinian Authority and expand settlements, which he believes will lead to perpetual conflict and risk Israel becoming a global pariah state. Friedman concludes by urging his readers to make a difference by voting in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, for candidates who promise to protect democracy and put the Constitution ahead of creeping authoritarianism or corporate profits. He warns that the U.S., like Israel, risks becoming a 'Sparta' – isolated and constantly battling unrest – if the current direction continues.