Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Saturday, May 21, 2022
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home In Depth The American Angle

The Domestic Politics of Biden’s Russia Dilemma

Lincoln Mitchell by Lincoln Mitchell
26 January 2022
in The American Angle
Kiev,,Ukraine,-,Dec,07,,2015:,Vice,President,Of,Usa

KIEV, UKRAINE - Dec 07, 2015: Vice president of USA Joe Biden during an official visit to Kiev, Ukraine

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

USA, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) For several months now Russian troops have been poised along the country’s border with neighboring Ukraine, raising concerns that Russia will expand its war in Ukraine. Expansion of the war could take many different forms, including sending thousands of more troops into Ukraine in something approximating a full-scale invasion. While that could be devastating for Ukraine, this conflict must also be examined in the context of the broader tensions between Russia and the United States.

In recent history, this tension has taken several forms as the US and Russia have clashed over Ukraine, Georgia, and elsewhere in the post-Soviet region. In general, Moscow has opposed efforts by these countries to move into a more Western orbit. In Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine since 2014, this view has led Moscow to invade or attack, while additionally, the Kremlin authorities have contributed to political instability and disinformation campaigns in these countries. The US has also actively intervened in the domestic politics of much of the region, generally under the guise of democracy promotion, whereas Moscow views the American project in Ukraine and elsewhere as being less about democracy and more about expanding US influence and power. A central issue in all of this has been Moscow’s deep concern about the possibility of Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO, with both countries persisting in their efforts to acquire NATO membership as a means to ensure their defence against Russian aggression. 

The rift between Russia and the US is not nearly as simple as all that. Russia’s role in supporting various destabilising political forces throughout the west, most relevantly for the US in the election of Donald Trump in 2016, raises further difficulties for the bilateral relationship between Washington and Moscow.

It is within this framework that President Joseph Biden must decide what to do to about the increased threat of more Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The foreign policy challenge facing Biden is genuine and confounding, but no US policy question, even one like this, can be fully understood or sufficiently analysed without due consideration for domestic politics as well. The key thing to understand about every decision Biden confronts is that, unlike most previous US presidents who operated and functioned in the face of powerful political opposition, today’s Republican leaders have already demonstrated their willingness to undermine the stability and security of the US, as most clearly evidenced by their apologetics for the insurrection of January 6th, if doing so means weakening Biden and the Democratic Party.

It does not take a brilliant strategist to realize that with inflation rising, Covid still raging in much of the US, thanks in large part to GOP-backed anti-vaccine movements, much of President Biden’s legislative agenda stalled and his approval ratings stuck in the low 40s, a foreign policy adventure that goes badly could push Biden into the kind of failure and irrelevance that could usher in the restoration of Donald Trump in November 2024. While there are good reasons to stop Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, the drumbeat from many GOP leaders for aggressive US action has to be seen in this context as well. Additionally, the Republican Party is still desperate to distance itself from the fealty to Putin that many saw in President Trump.

Recently, the White House announced that about 8,500 troops would be put on high alert. This is not, on its face, a bad decision. It may be the right one and the only way to stop a larger war in Ukraine, but it is also true that should the US be pulled into the conflict, it could go very badly very quickly for the US. While that would be disastrous for Biden and for the country, it would also bring the GOP closer to the goal that they have elevated above all others – a return to power.

Admittedly, this represents a very cynical take on the current crisis, but it would be irresponsible not to at least consider it. For Biden, there is no easy way out. If he does nothing and Russia invades Ukraine, he will be seen to have allowed Putin to pursue his aggressive goals. If he does little and Putin does not invade, the threat and the story will quickly fade away and Biden will get no credit. If he is pulled into a larger and more full-scale effort to stop Putin and the conflict expands with the US ending up in another long foreign war, even one that requires a relatively small number of troops, Biden’s numbers will plummet even more. For the Republican Party, it’s a win-win situation without risk, because even if Biden’s actions lead to Putin backing down, the GOP will take credit for having pushed Biden in that direction.

Given Russia’s role in destabilising US politics in recent years, it is certain that the Kremlin understands the President and the country’s vulnerability at this moment. That may not be the primary reason Moscow has chosen right now to loudly beat the drums of war in Ukraine, but it has certainly informed Russian thinking.

Tags: Main-SliderOpinion section

Latest post

Kubinka,,Moscow,Region,,Russia,-,May,20,,2016:,Group,Of

Russia taking ‘countermeasures’ against planned NATO expansion

1 day ago
ECJ rules EU judges must be allowed to seek its guidance

EP adopts EC proposal to expand Eurojust authority

1 day ago

Most Read

  • shutterstock_1821616664

    MEPs send Open Letter urging the Home Secretary Priti Patel to reject Assange’s extradition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • These are the 10 highest paying jobs in the Europe in 2022

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Why corruption matters

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Sweden: Taking Syrian children away from parents for protection?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • New Ukrainian school opened in Belliardstraat after Easter holidays

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • EU Institutions
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Member States
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Print Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT