The most consequential global realignment since World War II is unfolding in real time. The United States is forging new alliances across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and emerging markets, reasserting its influence after years of drift. But no strategic reset is complete until the war between Russia and Ukraine ends, not merely with a ceasefire, but with a durable peace that reshapes incentives, restores stability, and re-anchors American leadership in the postwar order. The question is no longer whether the fighting will stop, but whether the United States is prepared to define what comes next.

If we are serious about peace, America must think beyond nightly crescendos of destruction and the headlines of seizing sanctioned oil tankers. Those are the now — but what comes next must be America’s vision for a future where both Russians and Ukrainians find prosperity, security, and a reason to align their interests with ours.

President Trump’s recent decisive, long overdue action in Venezuela, demonstrated U.S. resolve to assert control over our hemisphere and energy flows. The U.S. has found an excellent interim partner in President Delcy Rodriguez, thanks to the careful planning of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Richard Grenell, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. That same assertiveness is being applied to creating peace and prosperity.

American businesses will lead the way. President Trump’s strength and repositioning of America enables successful businesses globally. In this context, he is not just the leader of the United States, he is the global leader.

For years, Venezuela has shown how economic leverage can translate into geopolitical influence. Once a petro-autocracy befriended by China, Caracas is now subject to U.S. authority. With U.S.-backed redevelopment coming soon, Venezuela has the potential to become the........

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