World watching U.S. as war in Ukraine rages
Not since the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 have the U.S. and Russia come so close to a global conflict than over Ukraine. The rapidly developing series of events following the unprovoked Russian invasion of its neighbor is reminiscent of timelines characteristic of World War I, World War II and, yes, Cuba.
Are we as a nation and a formidable combat force prepared to lead the world in deterring further aggression, or engaging Russia militarily, if NATO’S Article 5 is, directly or indirectly, threatened?
The world is watching and undoubtedly asking the same question. And rightly so. The image we project is troubling. As a nation, we are at one of our weakest junctures in decades. The polarization of our political debate is corrosive domestically and debilitating internationally. The constant assault on our democratic values, processes, institutions and even people by political leaders and influencers at all levels, as well as by sinister ideologues and provocateurs, is draining and exhausting.
We cannot escape the shame of the well-orchestrated deadly insurrection of agitated mobs on Jan. 6, 2001, at the U.S. Capitol.
The world was watching. Once viewed as the embodiment of democracy, the world witnessed the first attempt in our history to impose an autocratic system of government. Even though it failed to materialize, its cancerous effects are still metastasizing.
The divide could not be more caustic. Our children are confused rather than educated. Parents, relatives, neighbors, co-workers and citizens across the board are polarized rather than harmonized.
And the world keeps watching.
Our military is perhaps the best professionally trained and equipped in the world. Inevitably, it is a reflection of our sociopolitical and economic realities. The quantity and quality of those serving in uniform are shaped accordingly.
Our military has always distinguished itself in conflicts where well-articulated and public-embraced national interests and world order were clearly at stake. World War I, World War II and the Persian Gulf War fit that mold. Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan don’t. The latter sought ill-defined, conflicting objectives that rendered the military ineffective and controversial. Hence, none achieved admirable outcomes. Quite the contrary.
As political narratives and resulting ideological divides spread across the nation, the fiber of our military becomes susceptible to infection. The potential for political flirtation in our rank-and-file is real and should concern us all. War strategist Carl von Clausewitz famously insisted that “war is a continuation of politics by other means.”
The danger resides in a partisan military, where the chain of command may struggle to maintain order and discipline, thus, jeopardizing mission accomplishment. God forbid.
Being in the military today must be quite challenging. Arguably, there’s been a lack of purpose and vision by our political leaders in recent military incursions. And there may reside the answer to the high incidence of suicide, PTSD and homelessness among our service members.
Ukraine could become a testing ground for our combat readiness and national resolve.
Putin and the world are watching.