Rethinking Ukraine

Have you noticed the dramatic decline in the amount of press coverage of the Russian/Ukrainian war? Have you noticed how that coverage has changed? 

Just a few weeks ago, analysts were suggesting, stupidly in my view, that Ukraine could actually defeat Russia. That made no sense, unless we’ve been lied to for 25 years about the threat Russia posed. If Russia isn’t capable of defeating Ukraine, then what possible threat does it pose to us and our European allies, beyond its nuclear weapons?

The retired generals who were seemingly on Fox News every ten minutes have suddenly disappeared. I guess they have gone back to their consulting work. Far from predicting victory for Ukraine, the media coverage now paints a bleak picture, suggesting the losses being suffered by the Ukrainian military are unsustainable. 

Meanwhile, we have sent more than $50 billion to Ukraine, and only now are questions being asked about how that money is being spent.

A recent Morning Consult poll found that just 44% of Americans believe we have an obligation to defend Ukraine from Russia. That’s down from 50% a few weeks ago. Only 37% of Republicans and 33% of Independents feel “an obligation” to defend Ukraine. 

I realize some neo-cons no longer understand the worldview of Republican voters. But what is remarkable to me is that so many good Republicans don’t understand what GOP voters believe.

It has been shocking to see how many Republican leaders were doing everything they could to push Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and “Thoroughly Modern” Milley into a larger conflict with Russia. 

Why? Because of Biden’s stellar record as commander-in-chief? That can’t be it!

In my view, it is totally logical that most Americans don’t want to get more involved. They know how incompetent this administration is. 

Why don’t more conservatives in Congress get that?