President
Biden and the Democrats need to heed the proposals of the Republicans so that
America can assist Ukraine in completing the task of defeating Putin. The facts
are clear: Putin must be defeated in order to impart lessons to other dictators
who are evidently watching the entire situation. If aiding Ukraine necessitates
addressing the chaos at the American southern border, so be it.
The
United States has always taken pride in being known as the "arsenal of
democracy." It is a term that highlights America's historical role in
supplying its allies with the weapons and support they need to defend
democratic values. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over this
proud reputation, raising concerns about America's ability to provide essential
support to key allies like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
One
of the main challenges in this scenario is a combination of factors: industrial
strain and political deadlock. The American defense industry has been stretched
to its limits, struggling to keep up with the growing demand for military
equipment and supplies. This strain has put immense pressure on the country's
capacity to effectively meet the security needs of its allies.
Adding
to the complexity of the situation is the political gridlock in Washington. An
emergency spending bill aimed at providing crucial security assistance to
Ukraine and Israel faced significant hurdles in the U.S. Senate. The bill got
blocked, largely due to Republican insistence on including stricter immigration
measures related to the U.S.-Mexico border. Even if the Senate can eventually
find a compromise and pass the bill, there's uncertainty about whether it will
gain approval in the House of Representatives.
These
political obstacles have real and tangible consequences. The Presidential
Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the Pentagon to supply allies with
weapons from existing U.S. stocks, is facing limitations because Congress
hasn't allocated new funding. This has made U.S. military leaders more
cautious, as they don't want to give away more weaponry than they can replace.
With only about $5 billion left in the PDA account and just $1 billion
allocated for replenishment, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious.
The
impact of these limitations is felt directly on the front lines. For instance,
Ukrainian forces were using a significant number of larger calibre shells
(152mm and 155mm) each month during the summer, ranging from 220,000 to
240,000. However, due to reduced support, these numbers are now decreasing and
expected to drop to 80,000-90,000 per month. This reduction in firepower is a
direct consequence of the challenges facing America's "arsenal of
democracy," once a symbol of unwavering support for its allies but now
grappling with serious limitations and uncertainties.
Meanwhile,
Ukraine is currently facing an increasingly precarious situation as Russia
continues to outpace Western countries in artillery shell production and
receives unexpected support from North Korea. For Ukraine, the focus has
shifted from planning large-scale offensives to the critical task of defending
its current positions. The future of Ukraine now hinges on various factors,
including decisions made in the U.S. Congress in the coming weeks and the
commitment of European allies to provide essential support.
President
Joe Biden has requested a significant $61 billion for Ukraine-related
expenditures, which includes replenishing American military stocks. However,
this request has been bundled into a larger supplemental budget of $106
billion. The political landscape is complex, with Republican leaders feeling
pressure from "America first" hardliners who are skeptical of
allocating funds to Ukraine. Their argument is that while it's vital to support
Ukraine, the United States also needs to address its own border security
issues. Striking the right balance between supporting Ukraine and safeguarding
America's borders is a challenging task. There's growing concern among
Ukraine's supporters in Congress that if the assistance doesn't pass this
month, it may become impossible to secure in 2024, a crucial election year
marked by heightened political tension.
In
Europe, there has been a belated increase in contributions to Ukraine, and
European nations have committed to providing multi-year support. Collectively,
they've even surpassed the United States in overall commitments to Ukraine,
according to available evidence. However, doubts are emerging about their
ability to fulfill their financial aid promises. Additionally, they are falling
short of their commitment to supply 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by
March, raising concerns about their capacity to meet their pledges effectively.
The
year 2024 was already looking ominous for Ukraine, but with each passing week
of political deadlock in the United States, the situation becomes even grimmer.
The uncertainty surrounding funding and support for Ukraine adds another layer
of complexity to an already challenging landscape. The fate of Ukraine, as it
strives to defend its territorial integrity against Russia's aggression, hangs
in the balance. The decisions made by U.S. lawmakers and the actions of
European allies will play a pivotal role in shaping Ukraine's future, which is
a matter of great concern and importance on the global stage.
The
Moment of Truth
My
late father imparted a wealth of wisdom to me during my formative years. He
would often say, "Ejike" (calling me by my tribal name), "if you
start a good thing, you must finish it. You will never regret it. You must
never stop a good thing halfway, Ejike. Otherwise, what's the point?"
Today, I find myself echoing his words, directing them towards President Biden
and the Democratic politicians in Washington.
Supporting
Ukraine in its struggle against Putin's aggression is undeniably a noble cause.
It is high time the world took a firm stance and placed Mr. Putin in his
rightful position. Failure to do so may embolden him to further expand his
empire, potentially sparking a more significant conflict that could eventually
involve the United States, akin to the actions of Adolf Hitler in Germany and
Emperor Hirohito in Japan during World War II. The repercussions of such a
scenario would be dire, not just for Ukraine but for global stability.
Moreover,
a Ukrainian victory would serve as a powerful lesson for other dictators,
including President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China and President
Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati of Iran, who are undoubtedly observing the
situation closely. It would demonstrate that the international community is
willing to stand up against aggression and uphold the principles of sovereignty
and self-determination.
In
this context, if assisting Ukraine necessitates addressing the chaos at the
American southern border, it should be pursued without hesitation. There is
nothing inherently wrong with a country as capable as the United States
resolving issues at its borders that are currently compromised. In fact, such
actions are long overdue and are part of upholding national security and
integrity. Ensuring that America's borders are secure is not only a matter of
domestic importance but also contributes to its ability to play a responsible
and influential role on the global stage. Therefore, supporting Ukraine while
addressing border security concerns is not only a matter of practicality but
also a moral imperative that aligns with the values of justice and responsibility.
Notes
The Economist. (2023, December 2). The Dwindling Arsenal
of Democracy: America’s Political Paralysis is Complicating Its Support for
Ukraine. Retrieved from
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/12/02/americas-political-paralysis-is-complicating-its-support-for-ukraine
U.S. Department of State. (2023, December 6). Use of
Presidential Drawdown Authority for Military Assistance for Ukraine.
Retrieved from Fact Sheet: Bureau of Political-Military Affairs:
https://www.state.gov/use-of-presidential-drawdown-authority-for-military-assistance-for-ukraine/
Zengerle, P. (2023, December 7). US Senate Republicans
Block Ukraine, Israel Aid Bill Over Border Dispute. Retrieved from Reuters:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-sets-test-vote-ukraine-aid-despite-republican-opposition-2023-12-06/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20Dec%206%20(Reuters),the%20U.S.%20border%20with%20Mexico.
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