OPINION 

"America First" means putting the needs, priorities, security, and prosperity of the American people first and foremost. Every decision we make abroad should ultimately make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous at home.

Because we are in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, we cannot achieve those goals alone.

We need trusted partners.

We need strong allies and strategic relationships that advance American interests while creating greater stability around the world.

That is why America First has never meant America alone.

Putting the interests of the American people at the center of every foreign policy decision we are building partnerships with countries that share our values, strengthen our security, and create new opportunities for American workers and businesses.

Having just returned from Azerbaijan, where I had a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, I was reminded once again that America's influence is strongest when we actively engage with trusted partners.

Just weeks earlier, I was in Israel meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli leaders to discuss the shared security and economic challenges facing our democracies. 

These visits reinforced an important truth: America's allies are looking for American leadership. If we choose to disengage, others like China and Russia will gladly fill the vacuum, creating an anti-America First outcome that I cannot accept.  

Azerbaijan may not dominate the headlines in Washington, but it occupies one of the most strategically important locations in the world.

Situated between Europe and Asia and bordering both Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan has become an indispensable energy producer, transportation hub, and security partner.

It plays an increasingly important role in strengthening Europe's energy independence, expanding trade corridors, and promoting stability in a volatile region. 

Under President Trump's leadership, Armenia and Azerbaijan have made significant progress toward achieving a durable and lasting peace.

This historic breakthrough creates new opportunities for economic growth, regional stability, and long-term prosperity that can only flourish in an environment of peace. 

The historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan establishes a political framework that will require continued international engagement and support to succeed. The United States cannot afford to disengage at such a pivotal moment.

If America fails to lead, adversarial powers such as Russia or Iran will seek to fill the vacuum, undermining both regional stability and U.S. strategic interests.

America's interests are best served when reliable partners succeed and when peace is reinforced through sustained American leadership. 

This principle extends well beyond the South Caucasus.

The United States should continue strengthening relationships with nations that stand alongside us in confronting terrorism, deterring aggression, and countering authoritarian influence.

We should support partners that advance regional security, respect national sovereignty, and pursue deeper economic and strategic cooperation with the United States.

By doing so, we not only promote peace abroad but also advance America's security, economic interests, and global leadership at home. 

Diplomacy is not weakness because it’s backed by American strength, one of our greatest strategic advantages. 

President Donald Trump demonstrated this better than anyone.

The Abraham Accords showed that peace could be achieved when America led with confidence instead of apology.

Historic agreements between Israel and several Arab nations strengthened regional security while opening new economic opportunities. Those breakthroughs occurred because America engaged from a position of strength. 

That remains the model we should follow. 

America First means putting American workers first.

It means opening new markets for American businesses.

It means securing supply chains with reliable partners instead of depending on adversaries like Communist China.

It means ensuring that critical minerals, energy resources, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies are developed alongside trusted allies rather than hostile governments. 

Every diplomatic engagement should answer one simple question: How does this benefit the American people? 

When partnerships strengthen our economy, improve our national security, create jobs, counter terrorism, expand American exports, or reduce the influence of our adversaries, the answer is obvious. 

Strong nations working together create greater stability than weak nations standing alone. 

America will always come first. 

But America is strongest when it leads a coalition of trusted friends who believe in freedom, sovereignty, economic opportunity, and peace through strength. 

That is what President Trump has always understood. 

America First does not mean America alone. 

It means America leading from the front with moral clarity and strength. 

Congressman Abe Hamadeh has served as the U.S representative for Arizona's 8th Congressional District since 2025.