America Must Become the Arsenal of Democracy Again

We’re over the One-year mark Since Russia’s brutal invasion Ukraine We have not yet seen any new information. Russian moves. Just as much Brilliance. 

While no new Russian surprises are likely to be a good thing there are serious caveats. They are still out there, still causing death and destruction that is increasingly focused on civilians. Due to the lack of any new information from Russia’s forces at the Murdaugh trial, at least two major U.S. cable news outlets covered it live. BBC, however, broadcast extensive video coverage and detailed the suffering of those affected by the Ukrainian carnage.  

Although the resemblance to Battle of Britain was not mentioned, it was evident. These scenes could have been taken from old newsreels, 80 years old, of London, Coventry and other cities. As now, the U.S. promised all possible assistance except direct involvement. FDR was severely restricted by isolationist sentiments and had to use more than a few clever tools, such as Lend-Lease And Neutrality PatrolsTo support Great Britain during its most difficult hours. It wasn’t a stable position that would last.  Although a happy ending was not certain, the Brits and Royal Air Force were heroic enough to bring it home.   

The current situation in Ukraine is not stable. Harry Kazianis’ recent piece These pages address the most important questions. What is our policy  How does it end?  Is there another way? Battle of Tannenberg To take a combatant from the field. This is stasis within a volatile danger zone. Stability is not possible in a prolonged stalemate.  

The U.S. faces a challenging challenge from President Biden. It’s not easy to keep the 30 NATO members together, as well as other countries applying to join. Our domestic political issues remain unresolved. Complex deliberations should be kept secret for good reasons.

But, wait! There’s more! 

China’s unrelenting military buildup amid expansive extra-territorial claims – e.g., Historic and undisputed sovereignty of the South China Sea – alarms and antagonizes our allies and friends in Asia. China’s coercion on Taiwan is increasing in frequency and severity. China’s subjugation Hong Kong shows their contempt for international agreements. North Korea’s nuclear weapons development and prohibited missile testing continues. Russia’s belligerent activities in the region are also included. disputed Kurile Islands. We don’t have the luxury of one focus.  

There are already concerns that the supplies and equipment for defense going to Ukraine could reduce the ability of Asia to deter conflict. It is a mathematical certainty that reducing our war reserves will decrease the size of those reserves. This would prevent us from expanding defense industry programs to replace supplies and equipment.  

Herein lies a strategy that may break the status quo to introduce a new policy on the Ukraine problem. Sometimes, making a difficult problem bigger can help. This is one such time. The support of Ukraine should be considered part of a global challenge.

Through an emergency multinational defense industrial programme, we can attack the supply shortages and weapons in Europe and Asia and better support Ukraine. Make a new “Arsenal of Democracy” There are many willing countries.  Franklin Roosevelt declared: “Powerful enemies must be outfought and outproduced.” It is now. Ukraine is fighting. We owe Ukraine prompt, efficient material and training support. More gear, less negotiation, and more support.  

It is a fact that our allies, as well as our friends, face increasing threats in Europe or Asia. By implementing new, coordinated and multinational defense production, we can directly impact the situation in Ukraine. Before they ask repeatedly for it, get the highly-competent Ukrainian military what they need. A famous Pentagon statement can be paraphrased: “sometimes you have to fight the war you have, not the one you wish you had”. We have one in Ukraine. There, freedom and global order are at risk.  

Reduce material shortages all over the world and you will be able to see that there is no shortage of what we have. This requires a new, empowered official in industrial policy to the U.S.  To allow long-term contracts to be awarded, Congress will need to intervene. This will give the industry confidence to increase production and add more shifts.  Both the U.S., and other countries, aim to simultaneously increase the availability of military goods for Ukraine, as well replenish U.S.-allied stores in Asia. 

The threat to Europe and Asia is real. It’s time for us to act, not just admire the problem.  

Wallace C. Gregson He was a former assistant secretary for defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, 2009-11. He is now a senior advisor at Avascent International. Gregson was Commander, U.S Marine Corps Forces Pacific; Commanding Général, Fleet Marine Forces, Pacific; and Commander of U.S Marine Corps Bases in the Pacific, based at Camp H. M. Smith (Hawaii). General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems is his senior advisor.

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