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Posted by on Mar 1, 2022 in Blog, Politics, What's Left | 2 comments

Opinion: Provide Air Support to Ukraine

 

 

THE ONE THING THE REST OF THE WORLD GOT WRONG, BUT CAN STILL GET RIGHT

Looking at the ghastly Russian invasion of Ukraine and all the death and destruction it’s caused, it’s easy to say what we should have done. And by “we” what I mean here is — the rest of the world.

Clearly, the rest of the world has no appetite for war. Aside from Ukraine, and perhaps a few surrounding nations also threatened by Russia, no country wants to send in ground troops. No other country wants an extended land war. Especially not with Russia. No other country wants to waste its own precious natural resources, treasury, and lives on a conflict far outside its borders and in some cases on the other side of the world. This is especially true for the United States.

Nonetheless, we (the rest of the world) could have and should have done — something. Done something more than impose economic sanctions and wage diplomatic protests. No doubt, banning Russian sports teams and the like is a genuine display of solidarity. But protests and symbolism won’t stop Russian military convoys from flooding into Ukrainian cities and murdering innocent lives.

We must do more.

The United Nations should have done in Ukraine what it did so well in 1991-94 in Bosnia (and the former Yugoslavia). That was the blueprint for success, or at least avoiding more bloodshed. The U.N. is often a punching bag, but it’s also done some extraordinary things in 75 years. Recall the U.N. taking the lead and acting heroically in ending the Serbian mass genocide with an international team of military forces, and then actively punishing all those responsible for war crimes in international courts. That’s how it should be done. Vladimir Putin is just a meaner, more powerful Slobodan Milošević.

To be clear: The United States should *not* act unilaterally on Ukraine. This must be a multilateral approach. Right now, world public opinion is with Ukrainians. Overwhelmingly so. Perhaps there’s still time, but the clock is ticking.

What should have been done, and could still be done is this: Create another U.N. protection force (UNPROFOR) as has been commissioned many times before, and use those forces to help Ukraine. My focus would be almost entirely on providing air support. Let Ukrainians fight the ground war. But U.N. member nations could (and should) provide attack planes and launch attacks on any and all Russian military convoys.

Just imagine these Russian convoys heading in Kyiv being bombarded by aircraft from the U.S., U.K., France, and other member nations (SEE PHOTO). Most NATO members would willingly provide aircraft and air support for those attacks. Truth is, those convoys could be wiped out in a few days. Recall the Iraqi attacks in Desert Storm, which completely paralyzed the Iraqi Army forces and pretty much ended the war, resulting in the downfall of Saddam Hussein. This way, Ukraine would be provided with critical air support, while they risk their lives on the ground. Casualties to U.N. personnel would be minimal.

Frankly, I have no idea why: (1) This wasn’t already planned ahead, and (2) This isn’t being talked about now.

Oh and one more thing: If the U.N. had acted in this manner and made it clear in advance that Russian forces would be attacked by air, there’s no way these convoys would be happening right now. That would have been a deterrent. Perhaps the invasion would still have happened. But bloodshed and the danger of Kyiv falling would have been greatly reduced.

A final thought: Every one of those Russian troops and all the equipment you see in the photo above of the convoy will end up in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Then, later, perhaps indefinitely, it will be next to impossible to get them out. They should be stopped NOW.

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Note: One reason why the U.N. could not and likely will not act is that Russia has permanent veto power in the U.N. National Security Council. Still, as the UN is a work in progress, it’s imperative to change rules on veto power and security council power. Otherwise, with Russia as a permanent member (of 3 permanent and 13 overall), it will have no future credibility nor use in international conflicts.

2 Comments

  1. you have it 100% correct. why hasn’t it already happened? no one want to step on putin’s toes, they are all scared of the results, in the mean time thousands of children will suffer and die because of one idiot. send in hit man and kill putin and war will be over…

  2. yes the un is outdated , but congress wont let biden free reign,

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