Barack Obama recently reiterated what has become one of his favorite catch phrases: “[A]lmost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago.” Juxtapose that assertion with this revelation (via The Washington Free Beacon): “Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi confirmed last week a recent report in the Wall Street Journal detailing some $10 billion in cash and assets provided to Iran since 2013, when the administration was engaging in sensitive diplomacy with Tehran aimed at securing the nuclear deal. Ghasemi disclosed that the $10 billion figure just scratches the surface of the total amount given to Iran by the United States over the past several years.” The Iranians and every other foe certainly have a different view of America under Obama’s watch. But strength and respect aren’t exactly apt descriptors. Capitulation is.

It’s also rather difficult to argue in favor of American strength when our own military thinks otherwise. According to The Military Times, “More than half of troops surveyed in the latest Military Times/Institute for Veterans and Military Families poll said they have an unfavorable opinion of Obama and his two-terms leading the military. About 36 percent said they approve of his job as commander in chief.” The commander in chief’s highest priority is defending America against enemies foreign and domestic. The average Joe isn’t alone in seeing that Obama’s failed in that regard.

But there’s good news. As we recently reported regarding Obama’s downgrades of the entire U.S. military force, “The Navy has declined to a ship total not seen since 1916 and has mismanaged its carrier force.” According to the Associated Press, however, “With President-elect Donald Trump demanding more ships, the Navy is proposing the biggest shipbuilding boom since the end of the Cold War to meet threats from a resurgent Russia and saber-rattling China. The Navy’s 355-ship proposal released last month is even larger than what the Republican Trump had promoted on the campaign trail.” It’s entirely within Donald Trump’s power to change course on issues of national security. Things appear already to be heading in the right direction.