(Editor's Note: The following opinion column does not constitute an endorsement of any political party, or candidate, on the part of Newsmax.)  

In an increasingly volatile world, America's diplomatic strength is more critical than ever before. As new global threats emerge, from aggressive authoritarian regimes to transnational terrorism bankrolled by Iran, the need for strong and reliable alliances has never been more urgent.

Unfortunately, over the past several years, our diplomatic efforts have often strayed from their true purpose. Instead of focusing on building robust, mutually beneficial partnerships with our allies, we’ve seen an alarming rise in what can only be described as "activist diplomacy" — diplomats who prioritize advancing ideological agendas over fostering global stability and cooperation.

Diplomacy is the art of building bridges, not burning them.

Our foreign policy leaders should be grounded in practical, "America First" principles that seek to protect our national interests and strengthen relationships with our allies.

The United States must ensure that its diplomats focus on serving the broader strategic needs of the country, not using their posts as platforms for activism or divisive social agendas, or springboards for future senate campaigns.

Recent years have seen a troubling trend in how America engages globally. That is, if we can call it "engagement."

Rather than putting American security and prosperity at the forefront, we are witnessing U.S. diplomats and foreign service officers who are more interested in pushing ideological crusades.

Whether it’s lecturing our allies about domestic policies which have no bearing on global security, or using international platforms to promote divisive social causes, these diplomats are losing sight of their primary responsibility: advancing U.S. interests abroad and strengthening alliances.

Specifically, lecturing Mideastern or European nations about their internal cultural or social policies does nothing to advance our security interests regionally.

In fact, it often drives a wedge between us and these critical partners.

Nations like Poland, Hungary, Israel, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are pivotal to U.S. geopolitical goals, yet we have seen instances where activist diplomats have strained relations by pushing cultural agendas instead of focusing on shared security concerns and driving bilateral trade deals.

This is counterproductive at best and dangerous at worst.

I believe that we will see the election of President Donald J. Trump on Nov. 5, and when he takes the oath of office, for a second time, America’s foreign policy will return to its roots.

In this way, our national interests will come first and foremost.

Our diplomatic efforts should be about creating strong, resilient alliances that are based on mutual respect, common goals, and a shared commitment to peace and security.

President Trump needs diplomats who understand that America's role on the global stage is not to impose our internal debates on other nations, but to work with our partners to build a more safe, secure, and prosperous world.

Under President Trump’s administration, foreign policy was unapologetically focused on putting America’s interests first while also standing with allies in the strongest possible terms.

The Trump White House did not shy away from holding allies accountable, when necessary, but it also worked to strengthen key partnerships globally based on mutual respect and shared goals.

From the historic Abraham Accords to a more assertive stance against China’s growing influence, Trump’s foreign policy demonstrated that America could lead the world without undermining allies.

This approach was a clear departure from the activist diplomacy we’ve seen in more recent years. Rather than drive divisive policy, Trump’s diplomats focused on real-world outcomes: stronger defense alliances, fairer trade deals, and a more assertive stance on global threats like Iran and North Korea. In other words, foreign policy prioritizes America's safety, security, and economic prosperity.

No alliance is ever "guaranteed." Such strategic associations must be nurtured and maintained. Nations partner with the U.S. due to shared values and mutual benefits, not because they agree with every aspect of our domestic policy.

Israel, Japan, South Korea, and NATO allies in Europe rely on America as a leader in global security. We can't afford to jeopardize these relationships.

Consider Israel, one of America’s most reliable and critical allies in the Mideast.

The U.S.-Israel relationship is rooted in decades of strategic cooperation, intelligence sharing, and a shared commitment to fighting terrorism.

Yet, in recent years, we’ve seen diplomats and officials criticize Israel’s internal policies in ways that harm our partnership rather than strengthen it.

This must stop.

Likewise, in Europe, our relationships with countries like Poland and Hungary should be based on our common interests, inclusive of strengthening NATO, and enhancing energy security, not on imposing ideological conformity on their internal governance.

These nations also are critical allies in the fight against authoritarianism, and we must treat them as such.

Moving Forward

Now is the time for America to pursue a foreign policy which is reality based, one that builds strong alliances and focuses on the big picture — our shared security and prosperity.

America’s strength lies in its ability to lead by example, not by globally imposing our values on others.

"America First" means ensuring that our foreign policy serves the needs of our citizens, strengthens our alliances, and keeps us safe.

In the end, our foreign policy must reflect the needs of the American people, not the whims of activist diplomats.

It's time to refocus our diplomatic efforts.

Only then can we secure a safer, more prosperous future for all Americans.

Let's start rebuilding international diplomatic bridges.

And ones stronger than steel.

Bryan E. Leib is the CEO of Henry Public Relations, a Senior Fellow with the Center for Fundamental Rights and the former Executive Director of the Iranian Americans for Liberty, and in 2024, he was a CPAC- Endorsed Republican Congressional Candidate (FL-25). He tweets at @BryanLeibFL. Read More Bryan E. Leib Reports — Here.