President Biden's authorization to let Ukraine strike deep within Russian territory is the first real step toward ending Putin's reign of terror and exposing his fragile military as the paper tiger it truly is. It's time Ukraine flipped the script: With Biden's authorization, the oppressed are becoming the aggressors, and it's Putin's turn to taste the devastation he has caused for far too long.
They
say fortune favors the bold, and President Joe Biden's recent move proves that
sometimes a lion has to roar. Authorizing Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied
long-range missiles to strike deep within Russian territory is perhaps the
boldest decision Biden has made during his presidency, shedding his
historically cautious approach to foreign policy. It is a declaration that
enough is enough—a stance that could shake up the geopolitical chessboard, in a
world already tired of Vladimir Putin’s stale tricks.
When
Biden announced the removal of restrictions on Army Tactical Missile Systems
(ATACMS), he effectively handed Ukraine a ticket to stop fighting with one hand
tied behind its back. Until now, Ukraine’s military had to make do with
short-range strikes and limited offensives, waiting on Western allies to decide
how much help was too much. The newly provided ATACMS, capable of striking
targets far beyond the front lines, promise to escalate the fight in a way that
Russia will not be able to ignore—nor counter easily. It's clear Biden has
decided that this is no time for half measures. ATACMS will allow Ukrainian
forces to strike critical Russian military assets, including those in and
around Kursk, where North Korea’s newly deployed forces have settled in.
Putin’s murmurings of escalation in response to the ATACMS authorization amount
to nothing but what we should call the "rattle of ants"—a loud but
insignificant threat.
Let’s
not forget that for months, Biden resisted calls to provide these long-range
capabilities. Fears about the so-called escalation ladder held back his
administration, keeping them from fully supporting Ukrainian forces. The
concerns included a limited stockpile of ATACMS and Russia’s repositioning of
crucial assets beyond the reach of the Ukrainian forces. However, recent events
seem to have dispelled the doubts that previously plagued Biden’s approach.
Perhaps it was North Korea’s decision to deploy thousands of soldiers to aid
Russia—a move that could potentially signal an expansion of the war—that
finally pushed Biden to take the shackles off.
And
what’s the reward for restraint? A barrage of Russian missiles, launched over
the weekend, killed at least seven Ukrainians and shattered what was left of
Ukraine's power infrastructure. To say that Putin has not made good on his
threats to Ukraine would be a gross understatement. His aggression has been
ongoing and consistent—he has plundered, killed, and maimed without remorse.
Perhaps it’s time he received a taste of his own medicine.
The
ATACMS authorization doesn’t just send a message to Russia, it sends a clear
directive to the rest of the world. Other nations should take note and consider
making similar moves. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have all stood by
Ukraine in this crisis, but the recent U.S. move begs the question—will they
too step up and remove restrictions on offensive weapons systems? Perhaps it is
time the EU matched its rhetoric with weapons that can truly make a difference.
This isn’t just a fight for Ukrainian sovereignty anymore. It’s a fight for
global norms, for the very principles of national sovereignty and international
order.
Meanwhile,
Donald Trump, the President-elect, has promised to limit support to Ukraine,
vowing to end the conflict at all costs. Trump’s impending policy shift could
potentially jeopardize everything Ukraine has fought for so far. $175 billion
of U.S. support to Ukraine, a staggering sum that has been crucial in keeping
the Ukrainian defense alive against Russian advances, may suddenly find itself
on the chopping block. Biden’s bold move to authorize ATACMS could be seen as
his last push before the political tides shift and the winds of support begin
to blow in a different direction. But even if Biden's term is almost over, he's
making sure his stance is unequivocally clear—support Ukraine, strike Russia
where it hurts, and let Putin reap what he’s sown.
Historically,
Ukraine has been in this position before. From the Mongol invasions to the
horrors of the Holodomor, the Ukrainian people have withstood outside
interference and attempted subjugation. Putin’s aggression is just the latest
chapter in a long book of attempted domination. This time, however, Ukraine is
fighting with modern tools, not the spears of a bygone era. The ATACMS could
mark a turning point, giving Ukraine a means of counterattack that may finally
bring the conflict to a decisive, favorable conclusion.
What’s
even more pressing is the influence of outside players in this conflict. North
Korea has now decided to add its weight to the scales, deploying troops to
Russia's Kursk region. The implications of this are staggering. Not only does
it mean an expansion of Putin's war coalition, but it also demonstrates how
emboldened Russia’s allies are becoming. From Iran's supply of drones to North
Korea's deployment of soldiers, the roster of rogue states openly aiding Russia
grows longer. This tells us one thing: the West must act with even greater
resolve. If dictatorships band together to wage war, democracies must answer in
kind—swiftly and decisively.
And
then, of course, there are Putin’s threats. They range from vague intimations
of nuclear escalation to overt promises of “unpredictable consequences” for the
West. The problem is, no one takes Putin seriously anymore. He’s cried wolf too
many times. He has puffed out his chest, postured, rattled his sabers, and yet,
he has been forced into embarrassing retreats more than once. It’s almost
poetic, the way the world has seen through his bluster and reduced his
apocalyptic threats to mere background noise. “The rattle of ants” indeed—noise
that is irritating but ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The
authorization for long-range strikes into Russia isn’t just a military
strategy—it's a statement. It’s a statement that the free world will not bow to
threats from tyrants. If anything, the escalation from Russia and its allies
signals desperation, a sense of impending doom that even Putin must feel deep
down. Authorizing ATACMS sends a strong message that the time for cautious
diplomacy is over; now is the time for results, for action, for humiliating
Putin and showing him that his atrocities come with a price.
As
for Putin, well, it seems he’s been riding a horse that’s about to throw him
off. His dreams of resurrecting the Soviet empire are crumbling faster than he
can concoct new plans. There’s a proverb that says, "When you go hunting
elephants, be sure you don't become the prey." Putin went hunting for
Ukraine, thinking it would be an easy target. But in his arrogance, he
underestimated the resilience of the Ukrainian people, the unity of Western
nations, and now, the bold resolve of Joe Biden. The prey is now turning on the
hunter, armed not just with Western weapons, but with the righteous fury of a
people wronged.
In
the end, this escalation is about survival, honor, and justice. Ukraine fights
not just for its territory but for the very right to exist as an independent
nation. Biden’s authorization of ATACMS missiles is not the last nail in the
coffin for Putin’s war, but it may well be the beginning of the end. For all of
Putin’s vaunted strength, for all his promises of nuclear doom, he now faces an
opponent bolstered by the most powerful military alliance in history, one that
is finally willing to strike deep into the heart of Russian territory. Biden
has decided to act like a man; perhaps it’s time other leaders took the cue.
And
as for Putin, well, here’s hoping he likes the taste of humble pie—because it's
about to be served in generous portions.
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