Closing Argument on Foreign Policy
There is a war going on in Ukraine – the third neighboring country that Putin has recently invaded, and the nation of Moldova may be next on his list. The Russians are leveraging their oil and gas production to try to freeze Europe into neutrality. They have been using control over the Black Sea to slow Ukraine’s grain and agricultural exports to Africa and the Middle East. They are threatening to use nuclear weaponry against Ukraine and those who help them. They are destroying Ukraine’s energy and water infrastructure in an effort to freeze Ukrainians into submission over the coming winter. They are importing weapons from North Korea and Iran to replace their losses of material and have instituted conscription to replace their losses in personnel. They are admittedly and proudly interfering in US elections to identify, marshal and elect supporters of Putin. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/russias-prigozhin-admits-interfering-us-elections-2022-11-07/ Yet so far, they are losing on the ground and in global public opinion, and Putin is increasingly isolated throughout much of the world.
Biden has kept US allies united in support of Ukraine’s freedom. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_37750.htm He has marshaled arms to the Ukrainian armed forces who are now pushing back the Russian invaders and occupiers. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3189571/725-million-in-additional-security-assistance-for-ukraine/ He has successfully worked to keep China on the sidelines of the conflict and to build consensus within the UN General Assembly to condemn Russian aggression. https://by.usembassy.gov/un-general-assembly-resolution-condemning-russias-attempted-annexation-of-ukraines-territory/
A small and influential group of MAGA Republicans are nevertheless supporting Putin. https://accountability.gop/ukraine-quotes/ House Minority Leader McCarthy recently stated that he may use a future GOP majority in the House to reduce or eliminate US aid and assistance to Ukraine. https://www.axios.com/2022/10/21/gop-congressional-leaders-split-on-ukraine-aid It is hard to conceive or imagine that possibility that prominent GOP leaders would appease and enable Putin’s invasion of Russia’s neighbors, yet it is happening.