Because the world enters a recent 12 months, Vladimir Putin’s criminal war on Ukraine continues. Rockets rain down on Ukraine’s big cities – including the capital, Kyiv – and on water and energy infrastructure as a bloodthirsty autocrat seeks to force the country into submission.
Because the death toll grows and Putin’s cruelty seems unwavering, the query becomes: what next can the USA do to help Ukraine and preserve the post-war liberal order? It is a critical query; the war appears to have reached a possible turning point now that Ukraine is withdrawing Russian advances within the east.
One key move touches on a tangle of US interests: attempting to cut off drone shipments from Iran to Russia by blocking the flow of essential components Iran must make them. The US can be helping Ukrainians goal drone launchers within the country.
It is a clever and essential tactic. It may also help to supply more support to the Iranian protesters to extend the pressure on the mullahs.
So is the strengthening of the military power of the Ukrainian forces themselves. Despite threats by some members of Congress about aid for Ukraine, such aid is effective and serves our broader national interest by helping to thwart Russia’s imperial ambitions in its near abroad. Subsequently, the near $2 billion that the USA is spending on a package that (amongst other things) will provide Ukraine with a battery of Patriot missiles – among the best long-range air defense systems – is a smart investment.
The Patriots will help Ukraine fight Putin’s indiscriminate missile attacks (his primary offensive tool now that his ground forces look like physically and morally paralyzed). Biden should consider more involvement in improving air defenses, resembling sending in a couple of battery, in addition to getting out of the best way as allies in Europe wish to send in their very own MiG fighters.
Most significantly for Biden, nevertheless, is to do not forget that Putin can’t be trusted—not on the negotiating table, not even after a peace “deal” has been reached; destroys business with abandonment. And Russia stays clearly committed to its political goal of controlling Ukraine.
2023 will likely be a troublesome fight for Ukrainians, as will 2022. Nonetheless, there are numerous steps Biden can take to help them without triggering an escalation. The actual query is whether or not he and his team are determined enough to remain the course.