Ted Galen Carpenter
April 26, 2022
Fortunately, President Biden thus far
has rejected the most risky policies that hawks are pushing in response to
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite being under intense pressure, he
continues to rule out proclaiming a no-fly zone, and he flatly rejects
suggestions (including from one close political ally) that he consider sending
U.S. troops to Ukraine. However, even the policies the administration has embraced
entail an unacceptable risk of entangling the United States in a military
confrontation with a nuclear-armed power. The United States and some NATO
allies are pouring increasingly sophisticated weapons into Ukraine to bolster
that country’s resistance to the invasion. Russia recently reiterated its
warning that such shipments are legitimate military targets. In addition to
lavishing arms on Ukraine, Washington is sharing key military intelligence with
Kyiv. The United States is skirting very close to becoming an outright
belligerent in an extremely dangerous war.