Jake Sullivan states that historically, the U.S. has been harder on its enemies than on its friends.

“This claim is a widely supported observation in foreign policy analysis. During the Cold War, the U.S. often overlooked actions by allies as long as they opposed the Soviet Union, while adversaries were punished and isolated. More recently, analyses from think tanks like the Quincy Institute and the European Council on Foreign Relations note that the U.S. consistently instrumentalizes human rights, targeting adversaries while overlooking similar or worse abuses by partners. This pattern is often described as a core component of a 'realist' foreign policy. Context: This statement was made during a discussion comparing U.S. condemnation of Russia's actions in Ukraine with its more measured criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. The claim serves as an acknowledgement of a perceived double standard in American foreign policy.”