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11 July 2024

New York Times | U.S. and Allies Aim to Forge Commitments to Ukraine That Will Endure

The United States and its NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine should have an “irreversible” path to membership in the alliance, enshrining the phrase in a document that was released on Wednesday during the alliance’s summit in Washington. While there is no consensus yet about Ukraine joining NATO, the strengthened language shows that there is movement in that direction.

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Washington Examiner | Putin still believes he can outlast Ukraine and NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin still believes his country has the resources and personnel necessary to wait out both Ukraine and the Western support it has enjoyed over the course of the war, according to a senior NATO official.

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Reuters | Echoes of Cold War: US missile plan draws praise, misgivings in Germany

A plan to allow the deployment of U.S. long-range missiles in Germany drew praise and misgivings alike on Thursday, with supporters saying it made Europe safer but critics warning it could antagonise Russia and spark a new arms race.

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Newsweek | F-16s, Patriots and NASAMS: What Ukraine Is Getting So Far from NATO Summit

Heading into the final day of the NATO summit, Ukraine has secured new pledges of military aid, with fresh announcements still expected before the end of the alliance's meeting in Washington.

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POLITICO | The Republican Ukraine Skeptics Who Saw War Firsthand

On April 23, just hours after the United States Senate approved $61 billion in new military aid to Ukraine, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance took to the floor of the Senate to offer a sweeping rebuke of his colleagues’ decision.

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Associated Press | China tells NATO not to create chaos in Asia and rejects label of ‘enabler’ of Russia’s Ukraine war

China accused NATO on Thursday of seeking security at the expense of others and told the alliance not to bring the same “chaos” to Asia, a reflection of its determination to oppose strengthening ties between NATO members and Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

CNN | Ukraine deserves to hear the truth about NATO

A year ago, NATO heads of state gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, for their annual summit. A gathering designed to send Russian President Vladimir Putin a message about NATO’s resolve and commitment became clouded instead, however, by the question of Ukraine’s eventual membership in the alliance.

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Foreign Policy | NATO Is Turning 75, but How Much Is There to Celebrate?

Today, allies are unified in the face of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. But unless adjustments are made to adapt a much larger alliance to a more complex geopolitical environment, history reveals that this unity may be fleeting.

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The National Interest | Joe Biden’s Ukraine Policy is Marching Toward Catastrophe

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance is facing a significant turning point in its support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The Biden administration, in lockstep with several of the United States’ European allies, has approved the use of American weapons to strike targets on Russian soil around the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

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Defense One | Europeanize NATO to save it

The argument that the United States has for too long borne the burden of perceived European complacency continues to hold sway with many Americans. The bitter fight over Ukraine funding is only the latest sign of the entrenched skepticism toward Europe that has become a feature of American politics. It is unlikely to be a fleeting trend.

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American Roulette: Scenarios for US Retrenchment and the Future of European Defense

Political dynamics in the United States and the rise of China have increased the likelihood of U.S. retrenchment from European defense in coming years. But the form and timing of that retrenchment — along with the ways in which European states might respond — are still unclear.

This week, leaders from around the world gather for annual summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is held in Washington, D.C. this year. As the alliance celebrates its 75th anniversary, many national security officials celebrated the increasing unity of the NATO since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—this may be true for now but it ignores the fundamental imbalances in the alliance that need to change for the transatlantic relationship to remain healthy. America is contending with a crippling $35 trillion debt and strategic overstretch around the world while our wealthy European allies are reliant on the US for most of NATO’s frontline defense after decades of divesting from their own militaries after the Cold War. Concerns about the war in Ukraine took center-stage at the summit, amid additional pledges of aid to Kyiv and reaffirmations that Ukraine will eventually join the alliance.

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CVA recommends a more sober approach—Europe needs to build the capacity to properly defend itself before taking on the massive new commitment that permanently defending Ukraine would entail so that NATO’s deterrent credibility remains intact.

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CVA has been out in the media this week: Jason Beardsley was on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal: NATO Summit and U.S. Involvement in Ukraine. Jason also joined Hill TV: Unbelievable: US Sending Ukraine another $225 million and NTD News: Unintended ‘Tragic’ Consequence of US Supporting Ukraine Is Russia Becoming Closer to China, North Korea, Iran: Expert. John Byrnes was a guest on OANN’s Tipping Point: Rethinking NATO: A Critical Appraisal with John Byrnes. Tyler Koteskey got out on WDEV radio about the future of the alliance.

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