America, ATACMS and Democracy
While Ukraine suffers from Russian atrocity several western nations prepare to conduct important elections. In the USA, and other states, democracy itself seems to be at stake.
ATACMS for Ukraine might rescue democracy.
1/
washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/
While Ukraine suffers from Russian atrocity several western nations prepare to conduct important elections. In the USA, and other states, democracy itself seems to be at stake.
ATACMS for Ukraine might rescue democracy.
1/
washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/
The threat to western democracies is result of decade long Russian hybrid & information war. Russia's autocratic far right allies are on the rise, promoting culture war, end of liberal democracy and "globalism".
Add to that the backdrop of escalating international crisis/war.
2/
Many governments, like the Biden admin, face escalating dilemma.
Play it safe, avoid escalation to prevent an unsettled electorate falling for autocratic lure.
Or confront the source of this polycrisis by deterring Russia and her allies.
Ukraine aid depends on the chosen path.
3/
In the US part of the MAGA alt right have already begun to poison the path of confronting Russia. They cry loudest for sending arms to Ukraine - appealing to the conservative center of society.
For the already hesitant Biden admin a ballot bonus from Ukraine's victory fades.
4/
Now the administration is sitting on a stockpile of arms seemingly paralyzed between Russia's domestic and foreign policy attack vectors on American democracy.
For the traditionally consensus and compromise oriented Joe Biden it's a terrible situation.
5/
x.com/Euan_MacDonald
Euan MacDonald@Euan_MacDonald
Jan 03
View on Twitter
US might scrap, at large expense to itself, ATACMS missiles that have reached expiry but could still be used by Ukraine to hit back at Russia.
Lunacy.
newsweek.com/us-atacms-miss
Some major think tanks and consultants argue to appease Russia, even develop a perspective of cooperation, to keep harmful escalation in an election year at bay.
Others demand decisive action, to turn a disadvantage into a victory. Via victory over Russia for Ukraine.
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Confronting Russia seems to be a risky approach in time where democracy is at stake. But one aspect makes clear why it's the only viable solution.
All threats to stability & democracy center around Russia. Domestic and in foreign policy. Russian war on Ukraine is the kingpin.
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Right now Russia threatens liberal democracy with regime change. The domestic threat becomes ever more violent, rejecting even basic ethics.
In supporting Ukraine to decisive victory we can counter this, show that values & freedom matter, that autocratic avatar Russia is weak.
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In democracy values & freedom matter. We can not expect our citizens to believe in values, if we abandon then in our foreign policy. After all, the government acts on behalf of the people.
Abandoning Ukraine would be the corruption of our values & principles that Russia seeks.
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Helping Ukraine to protect our values is neither Wilsonian or Realist - It is simply pragmatic.
Because Russia is waging war on us in our societies this isn't only a foreign policy question anymore.
Ukraine's victory is about who we are and if we are value based democracy.
10/
Saving decency, values and democracy in the upcoming ballots isn't at risk by aiding Ukraine. It is the only way to win and reject Russian style autocracy.
Ukraine, our values, our democracy and ATACMS are connected and interdependent.
President Biden, release those ATACMS!
11/
Sparty
@spartyflyboy
Westerner - I worked in Russia, so don't give me BS on how russia works. Гопник = block
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