Tariffs, Ukraine, DOGE, the budget, NATO, the Middle East; the headlines are dominated by daily issues that demand our attention, but they also serve to distract us from the strategic issues that will determine who will be the dominant superpower during the remaining years of 21st Century.
So, it should come as no surprise that China is currently investing billions of dollars to create unlimited power by seeking to conquer the challenging technology of fusion power.
Media reports suggest that Beijing is investing anywhere between $1 billion and $1.5 billion annually into fusion research. One Washington energy insider told the press, "...What's more important than the number, it's actually how fast they're doing this."
Equally telling is one report, which observed that China's patents on crucial aspects of fusion technology are more than any other country, including our own.
China's pursuit of unlimited energy is not just about powering cities and electric vehicles. The most major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) will come about when one country's computers have access to unlimited power. The country that can lead in AI development will become the next global superpower.
Americans understand the threat. It is important to revisit a national survey recently conducted by President Donald J. Trump's pollster, McLaughlin & Associates. A significant majority of citizens recognize the danger and want Washington to safeguard our future by investing in fusion energy.
Trump has much on his plate, but the poll revealed that three-in-five voters are concerned that China's fusion energy leadership could place America's leadership in jeopardy. The issue should receive the funding priority from Washington that it demands.
All of this comes at a time when the federal budget is being debated, deficits need to be addressed, and priorities need to be set.
During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Manhattan Project, devoting enormous national resources to create a nuclear weapon in recognition that if the United States allowed its enemies to win that race, America's very existence would be in question.
We need to recognize that today, a similar race for technology supremacy is under way. Trump needs to take a page from Roosevelt's legacy of leadership and authorize a similar "Manhattan Project" to ensure that America owns fusion power and the future that comes with it.
Lawrence Kadish serves on the Board of Governors of Gatestone Institute.
Sally Graham