What Should the United States Do Now?

For starters, go after hackers and supply Ukrainians with weapons and ammunition.

By
117

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been more significant and more disorienting than many imagined it would be. The situation remains fluid and, at times, opaque regarding the distribution of forces, each nation’s stated and unstated objectives, and the reliability of battlefield reports. 

The following are some of the questions I’ve been considering along with my current thinking on each.

First, where is the cyber?

Myself and other observers were convinced that Russia, when it began its offensive against Ukraine, would employ broad cyber capabilities to disable Kyiev’s defenses, confuse political command and control, and sow doubt and fear within the civilian population. We believed this because the Russians have the capabilities for such operations, because they are proven in their effectiveness, and because they are relatively low-risk for the attacker. 

Start a Free Trial
Get every newsletter and all of The Dispatch. Support quality, fact-based journalism. Get Started ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN
117
By
Comments (117)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    “ To be clear: I have no evidence that this is the case and there are many reasons to believe it is not the correct explanation. Even so, it is possible.”

    What are the other possible reasons? I’m very curious about this.

    By the way, this was an excellent first installment for this newsletter. Getting to it a little late but I wanted to say, “welcome aboard” again!

    Collapse
  2. Avatar photo
    David M

    Thanks Klon. Welcome to the Dispatch, I'm glad your are here.

    Collapse
  3. Charles Heard

    Looks like the world likes the Pax Americana better than does Biden. I wonder what Russian troop moral looks like this morning, with anti-tank missiles and Stingers coming in from formerly milksop Europe?

    Collapse
  4. david rae

    Worst case - shouldn't we assume that if/when Putin takes over Ukraine, he starts looking at Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, thinking Europe is too dependent on his oil to actually commit forces in their defense? I see we're deploying an Armored Combat Brigade Team from Ft. Stewart, GA to Germany. I think that sends a message to Putin (and China), especially since the Russian military isn't performing up to expectations right now (tactically or logistically). Curious to see if he deploys more of his military to Ukraine in order to bolster his attack, and if we then ramp up more of our assets as well. Better to stop him now.

    Collapse
  5. Avatar photo
    Anne W (Raw5254)

    Thank you, and I’m happy to see that many of your recommendations are actually happening.

    Collapse
  6. Avatar photo
    Antebellum Whig

    here's another key question: *why* have the Russian ROEs been so constrained? it isn't what I expected; I don't understand it; but I know it can change dramatically.

    Collapse
  7. G Maxwell

    Klon. Did you see this interview on Tv Rain today. I am quite sure it’s not a consensus view inside Russia but it is interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cK-4d1rT34

    Collapse
  8. Avatar photo
    JDW

    This is a great article in terms of content. I agree with most of your proscriptions and look forward to future insights. Welcome aboard.

    I realize due to the timeliness of what is happening that it may have been rushed out. It needs some editing. Whether it's Kyiv or Kiev, it's not Kyiev. Imperials is not imperils. The word Russian used where Russia should have been.

    Collapse
  9. M M (Lee)

    They're saying on the news that the west is continuing to buy oil and gas from Russia to avoid too great of a price hike on consumers in Italy and Germany. Can the US not send money so that Germany and Italy temporarily can subsidize those price increases for consumers? This way we can truly fight to win against Putin by cutting off ALL oil and gas purchases.

    Collapse
  10. Tom C

    I'm worried that Putin will just keep trying to conquer Europe even if he loses in Ukraine. How bad does it have to get in Russia before the tier below Putin assassinates him?

    Collapse
    1. Avatar photo
      JDW

      Putin would not last long against NATO. He is struggling against Ukraine. Any attack on a NATO nation requires a US response by law. That can only be overturned by a 2/3's vote in the Senate. Not that US intervention would be necessary. The Germans, French, and British could handle Russia and pretty easily.

      Obviously, Russia could threaten nuclear war. Such a threat though can be matched. We are not willing to be take over by a dictator to save our lives. Are you willing to die and basically all of Russia for your ambitions? I think the people at that point would find a new leader.

      Collapse
Load More