What was called a war crime by this very Administration, is now fine as long as we do it.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently appeared on Sunday news shows to defend the administration’s approval of cluster munitions for Ukraine, a decision that has sparked controversy. Reports indicate that Ukraine has already received initial shipments of thousands of cluster bombs.
During an interview with NBC News, Sullivan rejected the notion that the approval of cluster munitions diminishes America’s “moral authority.” Cluster munitions are banned by over 120 countries due to their indiscriminate nature and the higher likelihood of causing civilian casualties, including through unexploded bomblets that can remain on the ground for years.
Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces: The advance of the Ukrainian army is not really going as fast as we would like, and Pakhmut’s return is a matter of honor. We have lost many of our brethren there, and we simply have to get them back as American cluster munitions will be ready for use in a few days. – Spriter Team
America gives cluster munitions to Ukraine to bomb civilians in the Donbass.
Also America: pic.twitter.com/BZkQ1iIwXC
— Spetsnaℤ 007 🇷🇺 (@Alex_Oloyede2) July 18, 2023
Sullivan defended America’s moral authority by highlighting the support provided to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine is facing a brutal and vicious attack from its neighbor, with missiles and bombs targeting cities, killing civilians, and destroying vital infrastructure. Sullivan argued that providing Ukraine with weapons to defend itself and protect its civilians is not a challenge to moral authority but rather a necessary measure.
We haven't used cluster munitions until now, if they're used against we reserve right to mirror actions – Putin. pic.twitter.com/lEy7SmAiH6
— Spriter Team (@SpriterTeam) July 16, 2023
President Biden has acknowledged that the decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine was driven in part by severe artillery shortages in both US stockpiles and the Ukrainian arsenal. The United States has had a significant stockpile of cluster bombs for decades, which factored into the decision.
Another noteworthy aspect of the interview was Sullivan’s use of old Russiagate-related talking points, aimed at preemptively discrediting any potential GOP candidate for the 2024 presidential election, particularly former President Trump. Sullivan emphasized that Russian President Putin cannot rely on the 2024 US presidential election to further his aims.
Check out the total hypocrisy of the Biden administration. Cluster Munitions a war crime in 2022 but all ok in 2023. pic.twitter.com/VXlGvmq5PC
— David Vance (@DVATW) July 10, 2023
Meanwhile, the interview did not delve into America’s past use of cluster munitions on foreign battlefields, highlighting a potential omission in the discussion.
The decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and the subsequent defense by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has generated debate over moral authority and the necessity of such weapons. The controversy surrounding their use underscores the ongoing tensions between the United States and Russia, as well as the complexities involved in providing military support to conflict-ridden regions.
Putin: “Russia has not yet needed to use cluster munitions, but if they are used against the country, it has the right to mirror action”. Kharkiv on February 28: one of the many cases of Russian use of Smerch cluster munitions in densely populated residential areas. – Maria Avdeeva
It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape. The use of cluster munitions raises valid concerns about civilian casualties and the long-term risks posed by unexploded ordnance. As discussions continue, it is crucial for policymakers to weigh the moral implications against the strategic objectives in order to make informed decisions regarding military assistance and arms transfers.
US TO SEND CLUSTER MUNITIONS TO UKRAINE, VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL LAW | NATO OPPOSES
Cluster munitions are controversial weapons that have been banned by many countries. They are indiscriminate and can cause widespread civilian casualties, with unexploded clusters lingering for many years. Biden says sending cluster munitions to Ukraine was ‘difficult decision’ but ‘they needed them’ US STANDS BY ITS DECISION: The US says that it will only send cluster munitions that have a low dud rate, meaning that there will be fewer unexploded rounds that can pose a danger to civilians. However, some experts have criticized the decision, saying that even low-dud rate cluster munitions can still cause significant civilian casualties. NATO OPPOSITION: The decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is no doubt a controversial one. Even the British, who are staunch allies of the US, have voiced opposition and “discourage” the use of cluster munitions. In fact Canada, Germany, Spain, and France, who are also signatories of ‘The Convention on Cluster Munitions’, have voiced their disapproval and urged the US to reconsider. The use of cluster munitions is a violation of international law. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which came into force in 2010, prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions. The US, Russia, and Ukraine are not parties to the treaty and never signed as they believe that in certain circumstances they should be allowed to utilize cluster munitions. RUSSIAN RESPONSE: The Russian Foreign Ministry made a statement yesterday saying that the use of cluster bombs by Ukraine would be a “serious violation of international humanitarian law” and that Russia would “respond accordingly.” EXAMPLES OF CLUSTER BOMB USE: Afghanistan, 2001-2021: The US dropped about 10 million cluster bombs, killing/injuring over 20,000 people. Syrian Civil War: Both sides used cluster bombs, killing/injuring over 10,000 people, mostly civilians. Kosovo, 1999: NATO dropped about 1.3 million cluster bombs on Kosovo, killing/injuring 1,500 people Lebanon, 2006: Israel dropped about 4 million cluster bombs on the country, killing/injuring over 1,200 people. MY THOUGHTS: Cluster munitions can be devastatingly effective when used against dug-in soldiers in trenches and fortified positions, but at what cost? As always, I worry about Russia’s response to the continuous escalations by the West. There is a line, and once crossed, I fear Putin will resort to nuclear weapons. I don’t know where that line is and I definitely don’t want to find out. With all the escalations we’ve seen over the past year, HOW do you see the Ukraine War ENDING? Mario Nawfal
Major Points:
- US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan defended the Biden administration’s approval of cluster munitions for Ukraine, despite their ban by over 120 countries.
- Sullivan rejected the notion that providing Ukraine with these weapons challenges America’s moral authority, stating that the support is based on defending a country under brutal attack.
- President Biden acknowledged artillery shortages as a prime factor in the decision, both within US stockpiles and the Ukrainian arsenal.
- Sullivan used the interview to preemptively smear potential GOP candidates for the 2024 presidential election, including former President Donald Trump, by bringing up old Russiagate-related talking points.
- The article briefly mentioned America’s past use of cluster munitions on foreign battlefields but did not explore the topic further.
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