As Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its ninth month, there is a small but growing chorus of commentators calling for America to end its financial and military aid to the Ukrainians. To make their case, they use dubious arguments: Ukraine is too corrupt, there is not enough oversight of how U.S. aid is being used, or there should be no “blank checks” given to Ukraine during a time of economic hardship at home. All these misleading arguments have been thoroughly debunked.
One of the most common objections to additional military support for Ukraine is that Russia is a “distraction” from the more pressing threat coming from China. This was the main argument made by Austin Dahmer in an article for National Review last week. In Dahmer’s words, “Washington faces a choice” between Europe and Asia, and America’s military presence in Europe and its support for Ukraine “are further eroding the deteriorating military balance in Asia.” This is an overly simplistic, almost lazy approach to advancing U.S. interests abroad.
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