It won’t work. It didn’t work before, and it won’t work now. We are looking at the Russian attempt to bomb Ukraine into submission. By the time this article is published, the Russian leader will have released more than 200 missiles along with Iranian drones on all the infrastructure, military targets, schools, hospitals, and so much on the landscape of his opponent. Furthermore, not only will bombing be ineffective in bringing the war to an end, but we should also probably realize that it is not expected to succeed. Ukraine is not the target; the United States is his objective.
That a military leader cannot bomb his way to victory in war is nowhere better illustrated than the Battle of Britain, the epic attempt by German forces in World War II to destroy England’s war machine, the factories, airports, and other military. targets to pave the way for a cross-channel landing by Nazi troops. The disparity between England’s resources and that of their opponent was staggering. According to William L. Shirer, author of the classic work “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,” during the conflict it was not uncommon for 1,000 bombers a day to drop cargo on their targets, in one day they sent 1,500 planes. When, in the end, the losses to the German air force were too great, the effort was cancelled. No German soldier ever sat on British soil. If this example is not enough, remember how many explosive devices the United States dropped on Hanoi.
However, if you are the head of the Russian state that started this disaster, you still have hope because you are relying on the United States and NATO allies to decide that, due to the economic consequences of the blockade on the -trade, the strain on manufacturing, and associated costs, we will grow tired. He believes we will mandate and structure a peace agreement that will force Ukraine to accept the unacceptable. There are already signs of cracks in the alliance’s armor – for example, the Washington Post’s recent headline that “Biden moves to avoid cracks in pro-Ukraine coalition.” But when you read the article, you discover the two biggest cracks are India and North Korea, neither of which ever joined the coalition. One has frequent trade and military contracts with Russia and the other is in international isolation.
But what the Post title reflects is growing opposition among conservatives. Fortunately, established elected Republican leaders have yet to join the parade. But more are raising their voices, as shown recently by the call of some to urge the United States to freeze all aid to Ukraine until Florida is rebuilt. Former President Donald Trump said the solution is simple, just elect him and call Putin and the war will end. Remember that one of the last tasks that the former president wanted to achieve during his mandate was to completely withdraw the United States from NATO.
If you’re the leader of Russia and you’re losing a war you started, it’s easy to misread your opponent’s resolve. Yes, this war is more difficult than we thought. Gas prices are too high, food is getting too expensive, and cars are too expensive. Federal expenditures in support of the war effort are increasing rapidly. In reality, the war is testing American will, and the Russian leader is counting on our determination to weaken and our impulse for self-indulgence to overcome our courage to stand with our allies. . If this changes the very character of Europe then so be it, we have football games to watch and new cars to buy.
Many books were written at the close of the Second World War, but one of the most urgent topics was why England declined, even in the face of increasing German aggression, which armed earlier for the coming war. Then a college senior, John F. Kennedy, wrote the book “Why England Slept.” His conclusion is words for us now. He stated, “Foreign threats cannot be dealt with by ignoring them or wishing them well. … They must be faced by a clear and informed calculation.” America will ultimately have to decide, are we Putin’s ally or adversary?
Dave Nagle is a Waterloo attorney and former member of the United States Congress.
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