With Russia's invasion of Ukraine intensifying in its second week, AEI scholars continued to guide the national discourse with forceful and insightful commentary.

Kori Schake argues that Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine thinking he would be able to exploit the torpor of the West and destroy the international liberal order. Instead, he has inspired the courage of the Ukrainians, who have in turn won the support and encouragement of people and governments around the world. "Those of us already living in free societies owe Ukrainians a great debt of gratitude," she writes. "Their courage has reminded us of the nobility of sacrifice for just causes."

Chris Miller observes that although previous economic sanctions against Russia failed to deter its invasion of Ukraine, economic penalties that "drastically alter the trade and investment links between Russia and the United States and its allies" can hinder Putin's ability to fund his military and realize his imperial ambitions.

John G. Ferrari and Elaine McCusker argue that our national defense spending should be restructured to respond to both the crisis in Ukraine and longer-term threats. Inflation, they say, poses real risks to our strategic readiness, and we must adjust our spending to match.

The week's major event in domestic politics was President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, which Matthew Continetti says failed to reset the troubled presidency; the speech showed no awareness of the political and electoral realities that Biden and his party face.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard arguments in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, a case that John Yoo and Peter J. Wallison contend could have wide-reaching implications for the separation of powers by making clear that executive agencies cannot arrogate policymaking powers that the Constitution reserves for Congress.