Three things from this week’s pod with our co-host/guest Marc Thiessen about his major Washington Post piece on why there is a persuasive “America First” case for helping Ukraine win:
There’s a “reluctant internationalist” case to be made for supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russia.
The knock-on effects of a Ukrainian victory are global; the effects of a Russian victory are too.
Joe Biden could be selling this fight a lot harder; it’s an affirmative decision by his White House not to do so.
There’s not too much self-dealing in the #WTH family, and…. we reckoned now was the time to start. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, WTH has brought you numerous episodes on the war, its conduct, the interests of the parties, the story from Ukraine, the end game, and more. Notwithstanding the powerful suasion of the WTH team, many in these United States are not persuaded. And no, we don’t mean Tucker Carlson. Good people don’t like war, they don’t like abetting war, and they don’t like perceived excursions abroad in search of monsters to defeat. Fair enough, thought our own Marc Thiessen.
In a normal America, the Commander in Chief, having decided that supporting Ukraine in its defense against Putin’s Russia is a vital national interest, would have gone to the American people and made the case. Biden didn’t. Not in his State of the Union. Not from the Oval Office. Not in press conferences. He didn’t do it on a train, in a bus, or on a boat. Indeed, he didn’t do it at all, except for a couple of short mentions at Democratic fundraisers.
Of course, in these partisan times, most Ds support the president of their own party. And Rs… well, they did, but that support has faded over time. They’ve listened to Donald Trump rant about how smart Putin is; they’ve listened to the “Freedom Caucus” rail against supporting Ukraine; they’ve even listened to Tucker Carlson explain that America has no interest in a Ukrainian victory, Putin is a good guy, and also, there are UFOs with aliens that the U.S. government is keeping from you. (You think we’re kidding…)
Given that responsible adults are unavailable among the Democrats, and that some Republicans are starting to wonder (though there are a majority who believe the U.S. should support Ukraine, and indeed, do more), Marc decided to do the job of the President’s speechwriter and make the American case for supporting Ukraine. His piece appeared in the Washington Post (where Marc is a columnist), online, and in print — a double spread in the Sunday Post. It is persuasive, hard to refute, and full of facts — whether you care about China, Taiwan, Israel, Iran, North Korea, NATO, or just your own safety, security and prosperity. Here’s his piece. Let us know what you think. And… in place of our usual highlights, we link the AEI summary . If you’re a visual type, we’re working on a video series laying out the case. Drop us a comment if you’d like it in your inbox when it comes out.
Oh, and another little riddle for our readers: Marc always quotes Don Rumsfeld, and often mentions his time with the Senate and George W. Bush. But his conservative journey was first aided (while in college) by…. ???? First comment with a correct answer gets a WTH mug…
HIGHLIGHTS
SHOWNOTES
Support to Ukraine Continues to Be for America First (RAND, February 15 2023)
The Case for Supporting Ukraine Is Strong. But the Biden Administration Isn’t Making It (Sen. Roger Wicker, National Review, February 7 2023)
Ten Myths about US Aid to Ukraine (Luke Coffey, Hudson Institute)
1. Myth: US military support for Ukraine is unaffordable.
2. Myth: There is a lack of transparency and accountability for US assistance to Ukraine.
3. Myth: America is sending blank checks to Ukraine.
4. Myth: Americans are not impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
5. Myth: Crimea is part of Russia.
6. Myth: Russia is a distraction. We must focus solely on China.
United States Aid to Ukraine: An Investment Whose Benefits Greatly Exceed its Cost (CSIS, November 21 2022)
U.S. Security Cooperation with Ukraine (State Dept., March 20 2023)
U.S. SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE IS GOING TO GET COMPLICATED (WAR ON THE ROCKS, MARCH 3 2023)
The U.S. Should Continue Supporting Ukraine—Americans Want To (Time, November 23 2022)
OVERVIEW OF U.S. POLICY ON UKRAINE (Razom)
China rolls back unconditional support for Russia (Financial Times, February 23 2023)
'The 'no-limits friendship' between Putin and Xi has reached its limits. It is not panning out well for Russia' (Le Monde, March 8, 2023)
China Adjusts Limits on Partnership With Russia (Jamestown Foundation, March 1)
Understand Ukraine spending
At the year mark, CFR reports that the U.S. has sent a total of $76.8 billion in aid to Ukraine between January 24, 2022, and January 15, 2023. $46.6 billion of this was military aid (24% security assistance, 31% weapons and equipment, and 6% grants and loans for weapons and equipment)
The Hill asserts the earmarked number is $77.5 billion (could account for the second half of January, or defining military aid differently than CFR’s breakdown; Kiel tracker asserts the number is just over €73.1B which is 77.33 USD; either way is in this ballpark).
What Ron DeSantis got right — and wrong — on Ukraine (WaPo)
Biden’s Soft Underbelly on Ukraine (FP)
Who are the GOP's future leaders? Let's start with Mike Gallagher
Russian capabilities
This site Orynx details all of the Russian destroyed vehicles and equipment losses during the invasion, individual piece by piece. Only units with photographic evidence are included, so the number is likely much higher.
Ukrainian Innovation in a War of Attrition (CSIS, February 27 2023)
John Chipman's Military Balance launch event remarks (IISS, February 15 2023)
Russia Likely Lost More Than Half of Its Tanks in Ukraine, Estimates Show (Wall Street Journal, February 15 2023)
Russia can fight in Ukraine for two more years at current intensity, Lithuania says (Reuters, March 9 2023)
Doomed to Failure – Russia’s Efforts to Restore its Military Muscle (CEPA, November 15 2022)
How quickly can Russia rebuild its tank fleet? (The Economist, February 27 2023)
Pompeo on Fox in January
Mike Pompeo: These tanks should have gone to Ukraine long ago (Fox, January 26 2023)
Transcript: War, Ukraine, and a Global Alliance for Freedom (Hudson Institute, June 24 2022)
You lost me at " given that responsible adults are unavailable among the democrats." That was an unnecessary hyperpartisan comment, and egregiously untrue. Could Biden do better? Absolutely. Are Republicans helping? No.
I say this as a lifelong former Republican turned Independent who wants her party back.