Last week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte sounded an alarm that every American should take seriously. His warning? The next world war may not start with a single crisis, but with a coordinated assault – China invading Taiwan while Russia attacks our NATO allies in Eastern Europe. It's not just a theory. It's a scenario that's been years in the making, and one I've been warning about in my own work for more than a decade.
Two-front war: Rutte's wake-up call
Rutte's message is clear: America and its allies face the very real prospect of a two-front war. If China moves on Taiwan, he argues, it's highly likely President Xi Jinping will coordinate with Vladimir Putin to strike NATO's weakest points – the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The strategy is obvious: stretch U.S. and allied military forces to the breaking point, dividing our response and risking defeat in both theaters.
Here's what Rutte said:
“If Xi Jinping would attack Taiwan, he would first make sure that he makes a call to his very junior partner in all of this, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, residing in Moscow, and telling him, 'Hey, I'm going to do this, and I need you to keep them busy in Europe by attacking NATO territory.' That is most likely the way this will progress.”
Sounds far-fetched? Not at all. Russia is ramping up its war machine at a pace we haven't seen in decades, fueled by help from North Korea, Iran, and – yes – China. Rutte points out that Russia now produces ammunition at three times the rate of all NATO countries combined. Meanwhile, China's intentions toward Taiwan are plain as day, and the Russia-China partnership is growing deeper.
The bottom line: Our enemies are thinking big, and they're thinking together. We can't afford to be naïve.
I've been warning about this for years
If Rutte's warning caught some in Washington off guard, it's only because they haven't been paying attention. I've been sounding this alarm for years in my books "Alliance of Evil" (2018) and "Preparing for World War III" (2024). (See editor's note)
Back in 2018, I documented how Moscow and Beijing were forging a dangerous alliance to challenge America's leadership and undermine Western values. Joint military drills, diplomatic gamesmanship, and coordinated campaigns in international organizations – they've all been pieces of the puzzle. My warning then was simple: If we ignore the growing partnership between these two regimes, we do so at our own peril.
In my 2024 book, I focused even more sharply on how a global conflict could unfold. I said then – and repeat now – that the most likely flashpoints are Taiwan and Eastern Europe. That's exactly what Rutte is warning about today.
If our enemies sense weakness in the West – whether it's indecision, political infighting, or declining military readiness – they'll act. And when they do, it could be coordinated, overwhelming, and devastating.
But this isn't just a military contest. It's a battle for our very way of life. America's enemies despise not just our strength, but our freedom, our faith, and our values. If we lose sight of that, we risk losing much more than territory or influence – we risk losing who we are.
Here's how we stop World War III
So, what should America do? First, our leaders need to be honest with the American people about the threat we face. Sugarcoating the dangers won't keep us safe. Adversaries are deterred by strength, not slogans.
Second, we must launch the largest rearmament effort since the Reagan era. Our defense industry needs to cut through bureaucracy, accelerate production, and invest seriously in restoring American military strength. President Trump should immediately invoke the Defense Production Act to mobilize resources and ramp up manufacturing. Our adversaries are preparing for war, but we are still thinking in post-Cold War terms. We must act now.
Third, we must strengthen our alliances in meaningful ways. NATO and our Indo-Pacific partners need to operate as a unified force, and we should not hesitate to hold members accountable if they fail to contribute to our collective security. Real partnership means sharing intelligence, conducting joint exercises, and developing coordinated strategies. This is how we maintain a strong front, keep our adversaries uncertain, and ensure our allies are truly ready.
Finally – and most importantly – we need a renewal of America's founding principles. This nation was founded upon principles of faith, liberty, and the conviction that justice prevails through righteousness. If we rediscover our national purpose and unity, no enemy can defeat us.
Mark Rutte's warning isn't paranoia. It's a reality check. I've seen the signs for years, and now even the world's top alliance leader is saying the same. If America leads, stands tall, and acts now, we can deter our enemies and secure peace for the next generation.
But if we wait for the crisis to come knocking, we may find ourselves tragically unprepared. History will judge us by what we do now. Let's rise to the challenge – before it's too late.
Editor's note: Books by Col. Maginnis are available through Amazon and other outlets (e.g., Barnes & Noble, GoodReads, Target, BetterWorld Books, AbeBooks, Skywatch).
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