Biden presents himself as a world leader in all matters. His most recent claim to the title is his support for aid to Ukraine against a small group of House Republicans who oppose such aid.
I cannot remotely understand their thinking. It is essential – and existential – to American national security, as well as that of the world’s democracies, that Putin be totally defeated in his aggressive imperialism.
Whether wittingly or unwittingly (and I cannot imagine the latter), that small contingent of isolationists are playing into Putin’s hands. They are undermining the war effort by giving Putin hope that his plan to win the war by wearing down Western support is succeeding. The obvious shortage of ammunition for the Ukraine war effort is also giving Putin encouragement.
One of the side effects of the campaign against aid to Ukraine is that the naysayers have given the appearance that Biden is a strong supporter of the Ukrainian war effort. In reality, he is what he has been in the past – nominally committed. He has pursued a too little/too late policy since the Madman of Moscow first surrounded western Ukraine with troops. And even the congressional aid bill is also limited in scope.
At the onset of the invasion, Biden talked tough. But his actions were better described as acquiescence. He assured Putin that America would not directly engage in the war – essentially throwing a welcome mat over Ukraine for Putin. Biden never imposed all the sanctions he promised. He never imposed the no-fly zone President Zelenskyy requested. He did not initially provide the longest-range weapons – and only if Ukraine did not strike inside of Mother Russia. He never sent the jet fighters.
Biden trembled and wavered every time Putin pointed to his nuclear missiles. It was the classical confrontation of the bully and the bullied.
Yet, Democrats and the media claim that Biden is THE world leader – and especially the leader of NATO. In fact, Biden has generally been behind the curve. Most allies expressed their opinion that surrender in Afghanistan was a bad decision. Several NATO nations have expressed their support and willingness to send jet fighters to Ukraine – but Biden demurred.
Weeell … one of NATO’s newest members, Norway, has shown the world that Biden and the United States are NOT leading. Despite Biden’s efforts to keep jet fighters out of the hands of the Ukrainian Air Force, Norway has agreed to send the embattled nation a number of F-16 Fighting Falcons.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, “… we are glad to participate in the F-16 fighter programme, where we will transfer Norwegian F-16s, modernized and in good shape, alongside the Danes and the Dutch.” That is three NATO nations that are taking the lead.
What is even more important in Barth Eide’s announcement is that the jets are being provided to enable Ukraine to attack sites inside of Russia. Barth Eide did not rule out future military aid to Ukraine. Other NATO nations, such as Poland, Estonia and Latvia, have expressed support for more military aid to Ukraine.
Far from being the leader in aid to Ukraine – or anything else — Biden is resisting the leadership of other nations. His unqualified support for Israel has turned to criticism and embrace of pro-Hamas propaganda.
Perhaps it is that old “lead from behind” that Obama proffered, or just the fact that Biden holds a myopically motivated partisan political calculus. Whatever the reason, Biden has turned “American leadership” into an oxymoron.
So. There ‘tis.