Well done. You end your sharp article wondering whether the US wants to end the war. What is any upside for our country, the White House, should the war linger? Meaning: were you being cynical about our not being all-in? What hasn’t Biden done enough of?
I would like that "pivot". Is there any scenario where Zelensky (now I am about to be cynical) wants the war to continue on his terms of all-or-nothing because he is on the Churchill throne? He is now the most famous leader in the world. Perhaps the most famous person in the world whose name does not rhyme with Rasputin.
I thought this was insightful and points not getting enough air time in the media. What do you think of the current peace talks happening in Turkey? Should the US be playing a bigger role there or would it muddy the process? Have the weapons and support from the US not given Ukraine additional leverage in these talks or do you think the talks are a farce to begin with?
These are great questions that need to be asked - though I'm not sure that we'd like the answers. And yes, it seems to me to be entirely possible that here are White House advisors and Pentagon planners who see this as an opportunity to ensure that the Russian experience in Ukraine mimics the USSR's experience in Afghanistan. Is that a viable strategy? Quite possibly, if Putin cooperates. Is it a wise strategy? Tougher call. Is it a humane strategy? Much tougher call. A morale strategy? Impossible call. For example, the wars we supported in Latin America during the 20th century killed a lot of people. They also contributed to the downfall of the USSR. Arguable, I know, but to the degree that it's true, those wars and those lives helped create the freedom that now belongs to the Ukrainians, Poles, Hungarians, Checks, Slavs, Czechs, Romanians, etc.
This is a great example of the broader question of what is the US’s role in protecting freedom within the world? In this case, protecting the civic right to freedom from harm and oppression. This invasion is testing the US (and other democracies) on their beliefs to this question, and spotlighting glaring inconsistency in when/where these beliefs apply.
Thanks Steve. I believe we've made it our war in everything but fighting the war. In our sanctions, our provision of arms, our training of Ukrainian fighters, and our rhetoric. I can't think of another war in which we were so active.
By we I mean mostly our government, but also the media and most of the population.
We could work towards ending the war through our influence, but we are not.
Great essay David. It's remarkable that I'm reading this two years after and the war still persists. I'll check in again on this in 2026. Hopefully the story will be better for good.
Well done. You end your sharp article wondering whether the US wants to end the war. What is any upside for our country, the White House, should the war linger? Meaning: were you being cynical about our not being all-in? What hasn’t Biden done enough of?
Pivot to supporting a peace plan that both Russia and Ukraine can live with even if it doesn't satisfy our thirst to punish Russia and Putin.
I would like that "pivot". Is there any scenario where Zelensky (now I am about to be cynical) wants the war to continue on his terms of all-or-nothing because he is on the Churchill throne? He is now the most famous leader in the world. Perhaps the most famous person in the world whose name does not rhyme with Rasputin.
I don't doubt Zelensky wants what's best for his country. As a side note, Churchill was voted out of office a few months after the end of WW2.
I love it. Thanks for challenging my thinking.
I thought this was insightful and points not getting enough air time in the media. What do you think of the current peace talks happening in Turkey? Should the US be playing a bigger role there or would it muddy the process? Have the weapons and support from the US not given Ukraine additional leverage in these talks or do you think the talks are a farce to begin with?
Excited for future posts!
These are great questions that need to be asked - though I'm not sure that we'd like the answers. And yes, it seems to me to be entirely possible that here are White House advisors and Pentagon planners who see this as an opportunity to ensure that the Russian experience in Ukraine mimics the USSR's experience in Afghanistan. Is that a viable strategy? Quite possibly, if Putin cooperates. Is it a wise strategy? Tougher call. Is it a humane strategy? Much tougher call. A morale strategy? Impossible call. For example, the wars we supported in Latin America during the 20th century killed a lot of people. They also contributed to the downfall of the USSR. Arguable, I know, but to the degree that it's true, those wars and those lives helped create the freedom that now belongs to the Ukrainians, Poles, Hungarians, Checks, Slavs, Czechs, Romanians, etc.
This is a great example of the broader question of what is the US’s role in protecting freedom within the world? In this case, protecting the civic right to freedom from harm and oppression. This invasion is testing the US (and other democracies) on their beliefs to this question, and spotlighting glaring inconsistency in when/where these beliefs apply.
Do you think that Zelensky and Putin will ever meet in person?
Great article!
So well written. The line Biden is walking is about the width of a silk thread.
Very interesting David -- thank you for stimulating our minds --
Your concern is ---"we" don't have a plan to end this war --- how could "we" -- its not our War
Also who are the "we" in "our" Country -- if G-D forbid Trump runs and wins in 2024 what will "we" do then about Putin ???
Unlike WWII there is no consensus or "we" in our country unfortunately for me
Thanks Steve. I believe we've made it our war in everything but fighting the war. In our sanctions, our provision of arms, our training of Ukrainian fighters, and our rhetoric. I can't think of another war in which we were so active.
By we I mean mostly our government, but also the media and most of the population.
We could work towards ending the war through our influence, but we are not.
Great essay David. It's remarkable that I'm reading this two years after and the war still persists. I'll check in again on this in 2026. Hopefully the story will be better for good.