One unexpected consequence of the savage assault on Israel by Hamas militants October 7, a cowardly sneak attack that killed at least 700 Israelis and resulted in hundreds more being injured. At least 150 Israelis being kidnapped is that Americans learned an important lesson. The Republican Party is not ready to lead a world that seems to get more dangerous by the day. First, the facts on the ground are one true friend of the Middle East Israel is living a nightmare. Palestinian terrorists fired more than 2200 rockets into much of the country, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. families headed to bomb shelters and safe rooms in their homes, where some stayed without food, water or electricity for many hours until Israeli soldiers arrived to save them. armed militants breached Israel’s protective barriers and entered the homes of Israeli citizens killing soldiers and civilians alike. Some of the dead injured and captured are US citizens. The State Department confirms Israel has declared war on Hamas. And it will be a long war according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

So what does all this have to do with the Republican Party here in the United States? Well, quite a bit, actually. First, the attack on Israel, one of the most fortified and protected countries on the planet should put to rest the nonsense you hear from Republicans who insist that there is a magical border barrier that would be high enough, deep enough and wide enough to keep out someone who was determined to get in. You don’t say how that worked out for Israel, the terrorist mash to literally paraglide across the border. Next, there is an isolationist virus surging in the bloodstream of the Republican Party. It shows up in the resistance in the GOP to giving more aid to Ukraine. It also surfaces in the mixed messages put out by GOP presidential longshot Vivec Ramaswamy, who recently got into hot water with Fox News’s Sean Hannity when he suggested it was time for the US to stop supporting Israel. Really? Is that what time it is? Also look at the GOP field. No governors or foreign governors need apply. Adios Ron DeSantis of Florida, Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Chris Christie of New Jersey. With the world in crisis. We need foreign policy experience. It’s fine to turn to Governor’s when the waters are calm abroad. But that’s not what is happening now. Pick your crisis. Russia versus Ukraine China versus Taiwan, Russia teams up in North Korea, Iran funds from us. Finally, what a terrible time for the collapse of the GOP house caucus following the ouster of now former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Republicans are in complete disarray, because eight GOP insurgents were petty and childish. Half the Congress is paralyzed. Republicans can’t run their own party you think the greater run US foreign policy. Congress can’t appropriate additional funding for Israel, even if it wanted to. Sure as a party Democrats are not in much better shape. On the other side of the political fence, you have an 80 year old president with one foot out the door in retirement as Democrats shop discreetly for a possible replacement to run in his place.

Personally, I don’t think President Joe Biden is up for being the kind of strong and steadfast ally that Israel needs at the moment. He probably didn’t have war in the Middle East on his bingo card for 2023. But Republicans don’t inspire confidence either that any one of them could be any better than Biden.

Actually scratch that. There is one exception. This Republican presidential contender does have foreign policy expertise, owing to a stint as US Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as executive experience leading a state. And when she marches up to the world stage. You now shall do it in heels. If Republicans are smart, and there is very little evidence of that. They’ll get behind the one candidate who is becoming more attractive with every foreign policy crisis. Paging Nikki Haley