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On October 10th, 2023, the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, made a powerful speech, decrying the celebrations of Hamas massacres across New York City. His words of conscience “We Are Not Alright” begin my new song and music video “OK,” which addresses the barbaric Hamas October 7 attacks in Israel, and the global fallout that resulted. Such is the theme of this song. In short, “We Are Not OK.” We Are Not OK as a nation when certain members of Congress refuse to condemn terrorists who kidnap and decapitate babies. We Are Not OK as a world when the United Nations General Assembly rejects a motion to condemn Hamas and U.N. General Secretary Antonio Guterres seeks to “contextualize” the brutal rapes, murders, kidnappings, and terrorism of October 7. We Are Not OK when legacy women’s rights groups and global organizations supposedly devoted to women’s human rights have little to no comment after grandmothers, women, and young girls are raped, tortured, and murdered. We Are Not OK when concertgoers celebrating in the desert are raped, massacred, and kidnapped at a festival for peace – and the majority response from music industry executives, artists, and Hollywood are lawyered statements loaded with cowardly apathy. We Are Not OK when our flagship universities become harbors for gross antisemitism and radicalization, headed by presidents, boards, and faculty steeped in moral and intellectual corruption, who lack the spine to simply declare right from wrong. We Are Not OK when leading media platforms seem more focused on creating narratives of moral equivalency between the actions of Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas, rather than denouncing the barbarity and terrorism on Oct 7th and ignoring Palestinian innocents being used as human shields in hospitals and schools, built over terrorist tunnels, funded by international aid. And on and on… Clearly, the causes of the moral rot on our campuses, in our culture, and institutions have been growing and metastasizing for decades. An inability to clearly call out the horrors of Hamas’ terrorist atrocities is not the root of the problem; it is the symptom of a deeper decay. We can look away no longer. Evil is on the march and wears many faces. Afghanistan’s Taliban, Putin’s Russia, Iran’s Khamenei, his Palestinian “champions” in Hamas and Hezbollah, are all part of the same ominous movement. Xi Jinping’s commitment to “reunify” Taiwan likely the next domino to fall. Thankfully, as happens in the darkest of times, there are heroes in our midst. Some are in this video, several have names that we know, others will never be known. Like my recent songs “Blood on My Hands”, which was critical of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and “Can One Man Save the World,” which we recorded in Kyiv in support of Ukraine, in my mind “OK” is not a political message, but a moral one. A call to action. The final image of the “OK” music video is Martin Luther King and his historic call to every man and woman on this earth: “He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” This is a time for choosing. We Are Not OK

One year after our withdrawal from Afghanistan the consequences are catastrophic and devastating. Over 70,000 SIV holders and their families are still being hunted by the Taliban. Women's rights have been decimated while girls over 16 cannot attend school. Afghans face mass starvation and the national security fallout feared by many is coming to fruition. Perhaps the most egregious fact is that no member of the Joint Chiefs, Advising Generals, DOD appointees, Intelligence officers, or State Department officials, including the Secretary of State, have resigned or been terminated due to the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. On this one-year anniversary the moral stain that is the aftermath of our withdrawal will creep into the news for a few days and then fade into the either, but the blood on our hands will remain.

It was an honor of a lifetime to perform my new Ukraine tribute song “Can One Man Save the World”, with the Ukrainian Orchestra in the ruins of the Antonov Airport in front of the Ukrainian’s beloved Mriya, the world’s largest cargo plane, that Putin cynically destroyed at the outset of the war. In sharing this musical collaboration on such hallowed ground, I saw firsthand the fortitude and grace of the Ukrainian people, who whether they are playing a violin or driving a tank, will not be deterred by Putin’s atrocities and aggressions. I am grateful to my partners in this mission, “Save Our Allies”, one of the several NGO’s I began working with after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, who’s relationship with President Zelensky and the Ukrainian military made this effort a reality. SOA, formed by Afghan vets and the wife of a catastrophically wounded veteran, rescued over 12,000 during a ten-day period at HKIA. Their heroic work in Afghanistan is now being replicated in Ukraine coordinating humanitarian relief. All proceeds from this video and song will go to Save Our Allies to assist them in continuing their humanitarian work in Ukraine. Please donate at https://saveourallies.org if you are so inclined. I call on my colleagues in the arts to join me in holding a ‘Live Aid’ type concert for Ukraine at the end of summer to benefit Ukrainian relief and refugees. The Russian people need to understand they are pariahs not only economically and politically, but culturally. Music can be a powerful salvo in permeating borders for those deluged by propaganda. Can one man, one person, save the world? Not alone they can’t. Though this song recognizes President Zelensky and all Ukrainians, it is equally about each one of us. I believe we all, as free individuals, and free nations, must do our part in ensuring that freedom and liberty is defended when one of our fellow democracies is being decimated. As the last words of our video state: History Starts Now.

Like so many, I am inspired and in awe of President Zelensky, his wife Olena, and the Ukrainian people. Their courage and determination in the face of the Russian onslaught gives hope and fortitude to all freedom loving people. In Zelensky I sense we are witnessing a modern day, Winston Churchill. It makes you ask yourself; Can One Man Save The World?

Meet Special Operator Mike Brewer and hear his powerful words on why he put his life on hold to rescue those abandoned in Afghanistan.

Welcome to “Meet the Heroes” When releasing ‘Blood On My Hands,’ I had no idea how many doors would open for me to become involved in the Afghanistan plight. As someone who has been privileged to be embedded with Project Exodus Relief, Moral Compass, and in daily contact with many of the groups performing the evacuations, I have been inspired and amazed at the determination, compassion, skill, and honor of private Americans who are keeping the American promise of no man left behind. These self-less people have been evacuating American citizens, SIV holders, U.S. Green Card Holders, Afghan allies, and other persons of high risk from Afghanistan. Between going to work and picking up their kids from soccer, they are organizing sophisticated operations and are saving lives every day, while tragically suffering the heartbreak of the Taliban hunting down and even murdering those they are helping. American veterans have quit their jobs and drained their bank accounts to rescue Afghan allies who fought beside them, and in some cases, saved their lives. They are shining lights and are a true reflection of the moral character of our nation. ‘ This web-based interview series is my mission to introduce America to these true heroes, to hear their words, see their faces, and know their stories.” “In the first episode of "Meet the Heroes", I sit down with Congressman Mike Waltz, the House's first Green Beret representative, for a discussion on family, honor, his role in the evacuations, and the challenges and repercussions of Afghanistan.”

Blood on my Hands Music Video (White House) After experiencing the reaction to “Blood on my Hands,” particularly from veterans, I felt a calling to document with images, music, and commentary America’s catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, and its ongoing ramifications. This music video is not a “yesteryear” documentary. Contrarily, it is call to action in the days, months, and years ahead to demand accountability where there has been none, to fiercely fight for Afghan women and children facing the greatest human rights setback of our generation, to support freedom of expression for artists in hiding, and to recognize and assist the heroic organizations rescuing American Citizens, SIV Holders, and Afghan allies still, to this day, abandoned to Taliban atrocity. Heartfelt thanks to the brave journalists, photojournalists, and private citizens who risk their lives reporting ongoing Taliban atrocities. Thank you, former Vice President Saleh, for your clarity and eloquence. It was important to me that an Afghan leader spoke the last word. I’d also recognize those in the state department who, under challenging circumstances, are assisting evacuation efforts. And to the vets, patriots, and orgs around the world keeping the promise of “No man left behind,” you humble and inspire me. You are the shining light of this dark time. You are the definition of “honor”. The passing of time will not ease the great shame festering in our collective gut. In fact, America turning the page on Afghanistan would only accelerate the erosion of our moral conscience. I take heart in bi-partisan measures currently being undertaken in Congress that recognize this truth. Until we admit our complicity and implement policy to atone for our actions, I believe that only then will we begin to regain our stature as a nation. John Ondrasik Five for Fighting

After experiencing the reaction to “Blood on my Hands,” particularly from veterans, I felt a calling to document with images, music, and commentary America’s catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, and its ongoing ramifications. This music video is not a “yesteryear” documentary. Contrarily, it is call to action in the days, months, and years ahead to demand accountability where there has been none, to fiercely fight for Afghan women and children facing the greatest human rights setback of our generation, to support freedom of expression for artists in hiding, and to recognize and assist the heroic organizations rescuing American Citizens, SIV Holders, and Afghan allies still, to this day, abandoned to Taliban atrocity. Heartfelt thanks to the brave journalists, photojournalists, and private citizens who risk their lives reporting ongoing Taliban atrocities. Thank you, former Vice President Saleh, for your clarity and eloquence. It was important to me that an Afghan leader spoke the last word. I’d also recognize those in the state department who, under challenging circumstances, are assisting evacuation efforts. And to the vets, patriots, and orgs around the world keeping the promise of “No man left behind,” you humble and inspire me. You are the shining light of this dark time. You are the definition of “honor”. The passing of time will not ease the great shame festering in our collective gut. In fact, America turning the page on Afghanistan would only accelerate the erosion of our moral conscience. I take heart in bi-partisan measures currently being undertaken in Congress that recognize this truth. Until we admit our complicity and implement policy to atone for our actions, I believe that only then will we begin to regain our stature as a nation. John Ondrasik Five for Fighting 01/03/21 Abandoned to Taliban American Citizens–100+ Allies–60K+ Afghan Brothers in Arms 200K Women Rights Decimation 20M Music Outlawed LGBTQ hunted Children sold for food Accountability – 0 pls donate to Americans for Afghanistan at www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com. All proceeds to vets wellness, afghan refugees and NGO's operating the evacs.

Like all Americans and those around the world, I was stunned and horrified at the images of falling bodies from planes, mothers handing babies over walls, and terrified Afghans being crushed to death at checkpoints due to our precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan. I am deeply troubled by the plight of Afghan women forced to live under the return of Taliban rule and felt great sadness when reading a story about a popular folk singer, Fawad Andarabi, being dragged from his home and shot by the Taliban. Though I believe the decision to withdraw or not from Afghanistan has good arguments on both sides, I cannot comprehend why the Biden administration would not extend the August 31 deadline thus leaving American citizens, SIV holders, and Afghan allies behind to a terrorist Taliban regime. As a life-long supporter of our military I believe “no man left behind” applied to all Americans as well as those we promise to protect. On the day 13 of our soldiers and over 60 Afghans were killed by a suicide bomber I sat down to write this song. After our last solider left Afghanistan, I received a call from a friend organizing rescue evacs of “AM-CITS” and SIV holders. It was a highly emotional call and moment of clarity. Private citizens now had the burden of risking their lives to rescue Americans and Afghan allies that our government left behind. America has broken her promise, but these brave Americans have not. America was built on the foundational freedom to criticize one’s leaders and hold them accountable. It is what separates us from our communist and dictatorship adversaries. How else can we as a nation learn from our mistakes and make better decisions moving forward without honest reflection on our actions? To date, I have not seen that accountability. There is a great tradition of artists speaking their minds and calling out their leaders for answers. Many of those have been inspirations to me. I understand that this song might be perceived by some as a political attack, but those who follow me know I am an American with a history of calling out both sides. If Donald Trump were President and he put us in the same situation, the song would remain the same, only the names would change. After hearing “Blood on My Hands,” a friend said he found the song to be politically neutral, but morally-forward. My hope is that this song helps demand accountability, so the American promise is never again forsaken.