How A Lame-Duck President Brought Us To The Brink Of War
Generally, the period between a Presidential Election and the Inauguration is a quiet time. It is a time when offices are packed up, the transition to a new Administration begins, and old friends are bid farewell. However, we would be mistaken if we thought that would be true with the nation’s 46th President, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. The most consequential decision of his entire term happened last week.
At first blush, it seemed like little more than an announcement of the latest weapons system to be sent to Ukraine. In fact, the Biden Administration has downplayed the announcement that the President would send ATACMS Missiles to Kyiv. ATACMS is a medium-range missile that can be used to strike into the heart of Russia. It’s a weapon that President Volodymyr Zelensky has been requesting for weeks. Zelensky claims that these missiles will help “even the playing field” between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
That President Biden finally relented and sent these sophisticated missile systems to Ukraine isn’t really news. Biden has reluctantly sent the latest and most advanced armaments to Ukraine for months. From our most advanced battle tank, the M1A1 Abram Tank, to the 300 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, the 3,000 Humvee, 3 million NATO Standard 155mm artillery shells, the Patriot Anti-Aircraft Missile Systems (exact number classified), and most recently the F16 Fighter Jets (exact number classified). The United States has sent so many weapons, munitions, and equipment to Ukraine that our own stores have been depleted.
But this time was different, and to understand just what made the difference, we must return to last summer. These were heady times in Ukraine. A massive counter-offensive was underway, which saw the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) recapture 14 villages and an estimated 300 square kilometers. It would prove to be the high point for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country was modifying its Nuclear Doctrine, the circumstances under which Russia would use Nuclear Weapons. Although this was a significant change by the world’s number one nuclear country, it drew almost no attention in the West. Most of the American Press saw this as little more than a minor Russian adjustment. Little did they know that this minor “adjustment” could lead to a direct confrontation between the World’s Two Nuclear superpowers.
By Autumn, the Ukraine Counter-Offensive was fading, and the Russians were again assuming the dominant position on the battlefield. At about the same time, the new Russian Nuclear Doctrine was completed. Under this new Doctrine, Russia announced that it would consider any attack on its homeland by a nuclear power or an ally of nuclear power to justify a nuclear response by Russia. It seemed aimed directly at the United States (a nuclear power) and its ally, Ukraine. Should Ukraine attack the Russian heartland, Russia’s new Doctrine would call for a counter-attack against the US.
Curiously, President Putin sat on this new Document, choosing not to sign it. It was as if he were placing it on his desk, hoping against hope that he would never have to institute such a devastating Document.
That’s when the aging American President, Joe Biden, inexplicably decided to act. As if to call Putin’s bluff, Biden elected to allow ATACM Missiles to be launched directly into Russia. Biden chose to confront the world’s largest nuclear arsenal directly. And this time, there could be no confusion between nuclear power and allies because the missiles themselves, the technicians used to launch them, and all the guidance provided was all American. Although the launch space was in Ukraine, all the rest was “made in the U.S.A.”
Within a day, Putin reacted by signing the new Russian Nuclear Doctrine. Now, there would be no doubt that any continued attack upon Russian soil could be met with a nuclear response, not just to Ukraine but also to the United States.
Last week, six ATACMS were used in the first attack on Russia. Reports are that the US has supplied 44 ATACMS to the UAF. Although the battle plans for the Ukrainians are not known, it is likely that these, too, will be aimed at the Russian homeland.
In little more than eight weeks, Joe Biden’s career in Washington will end. For over half a century, the voters in Delaware have elected him first to County Council, then to US Senator, Vice President, and recently President. As Senator and Vice President, Biden built a reputation as a proponent of diplomacy and negotiation, both of which have been missing throughout the Ukraine War.
This latest strategy of using ATACMS against Russia brings into question his reputation as a diplomat. Was he a man of peace or conflict? Will Joe Biden’s legacy be to add one more endless war to America’s history?
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