Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

In 2014, we witnessed the evil and diabolical actions of Russia through the Kremlin’s imperialistic efforts of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, directing the invasion and occupation of Crimea, a sovereign territory of Ukraine. Today, that operation remains an illegal act of aggression by a sovereign nation state upon another sovereign nation state. Then U.S. President Barack Obama did very little to deter the Russian effort. Since that time, and in repetitive slow-motion fashion, Russia seems to continue its plan to invade and overtake the remainder of Ukraine as we are witnessing, now.

Again, it appears the Biden administration has demonstrated strategic weakness in mitigating Russian aggression prior to the Kremlin’s current actions. During the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan reminded U.S. citizens that “peace through strength” is the deterrent to thwart aggression akin to that in which we are now witnessing.

Russia has a history of invading nation states. In 2008, Russia also invaded the country Georgia, employing tactics synonymous with the combination of cyber-attacks and electronic warfare to deter communication capabilities. In like manner, it is probable that Russian forces will employ the same in its efforts to quickly disrupt Ukrainian forces enroute to Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine.

Once again, Americans are witnessing events that take place when silence refuses to confront evil at the right times and through the right tools of influence throughout the world. Many strategists predict Vladimir Putin’s goal is to continue his imperialistic aggression until a facsimile of the Soviet Union is re-erected.

After invading and without terse resistance, Russia, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin has invaded Ukraine with the probable intent to annex Ukraine as it did to Crimea in March 18, 2014.

Within the last few days/weeks, Russia appeared to employ a Sun Tzu (The Art of War) tactic to convince a fighting force (the Ukrainian military) to lay down its weapons without the opposing force, the Russians, firing a shot. However, it appears that factions of the Ukrainian military, to include President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are prepared to resist this unprovoked invasion. The overwhelming force of the Russian military will prove extraordinarily difficult for the outnumbered Ukrainian military.

Detering future Russian aggression will require a solid joint effort from NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and other nations to deter acts such as those we are witnessing in Eastern Europe. While the U.S. does not (currently) possess the stomach (neither does this article recommend U.S. military action at the moment), the U.S. must determine the right mix of diplomacy, information and/or the combination of economic power (at the right time) to thwart this type of aggression.

The absence of effective leadership continues to undermine the Biden administration’s ability to confront state actors preying on other nation states. World leaders must not – cannot tolerate actions demonstrated by Russia, today or tomorrow. Neither can the U.S. or other NATO organizations allow Russia to dictate whether or not a nation state, regardless of proximity, can join NATO. European nations must determine alternative means of sustainment instead of depending upon Russia for the likes of energy.

Meanwhile, the U.S. must return to pursuing energy independence in an effort to self-sustain and provide like support to allies. Fear or inaction can never find its way into U.S. doctrine. Perhaps, Biden is in need of a stronger security team able to confront world aggression. The U.S. is a nation for good and consistently does good. When the overwhelming power of a good nation falls prey to mediocre leadership, highlighted by ineptness and poor national security, other provocative nation states will eventually detect strategic weakness leading to, yet again, another unprovoked invasion.

– Brigadier General (Retired) Jonathan J. McColumn, U.S. Army

Jonathan J. McColumn is a retired Brigadier General, U.S. Army, 35 years of total service. He is a graduate of the George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs – Senior Manager Course in National Security, and the U.S. Army War College with a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies. During his military duty, he was assigned or spent time in Europe to include Germany, Poland, Greece and Estonia.

HHJ News