Fortunately, Finland and Sweden are strong, stable countries with a long history of security cooperation with NATO allies. They are committed to national defense and would more than live up to their NATO obligations. Finland already spends more than the required 2% of gross domestic product on its military, and Sweden is on a fast track to do the same. Both nations require military service of their citizens.

Simply put, NATO would be stronger with Finland and Sweden. And while President Joe Biden’s record is proof that weakness invites aggression and breeds chaos, the converse is also true. As Ronald Reagan would say, peace comes through strength.

Some in Washington believe the only way to show strength in the face of Putin’s aggression is to double down on America’s security commitments in Europe. More troops. More equipment. More time. In fact, that seems to be Biden’s approach as he continues to deploy military personnel to the region.

That is a mistake. Not only does it keep much-needed resources from the Indo-Pacific, it also ignores the military capability and economic resources of our European allies, both of which increase significantly if Finland and Sweden join NATO.

America’s resources are not endless, and our leaders need to be realistic and prioritize the greatest global threat facing our nation. Beijing’s days of quietly amassing economic power and biding its time are over. Under General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CCP is increasingly assertive and militarily aggressive, bullying U.S. allies and openly provoking its neighbors.