Dr. Charlie Black
Among many national security challenges, the newly elected U.S. President will be confronted with making, communicating and implementing clear policy choices related to the Ukraine-Russian conflict. There is increasing international and increasingly heated domestic debate about U.S. support to Ukraine in over two years of war with Russia. The continuation of a policy that largely depends upon incremental war material support to aid Ukraine’s self-defense has proven ineffective in achieving military victory by Ukraine or political unity in Europe. According to the State Department, U.S. policy “is centered on realizing and strengthening a democratic, prosperous, and secure Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures.” This is a broadly ambiguous statement with much room for interpretation by allies and enemies alike. War in Europe continues as does the chance for escalation in scope and scale. The U.S. pursuit of ill-defined ends is akin to solving the wrong problem well. We no longer live in the bifurcated world where one is clearly on one side of an issue. Today the U.S., each of the NATO allies, Ukraine and Russia are entangled economically in ways that were not present in the Cold War. More than ever the U.S., European states, and the alliance itself experience tension due to competing self-interests and the interests of the alliance. The current Ukraine conflict represents a unique security challenge that requires reconsideration.
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