Doug Bandow

Ukraine has won the admiration of much of the world in its defense against Russian aggression. Even in the Global South, whose governments have criticized the West’s selective morality and pressure to sanction Moscow, sympathy runs toward Kyiv. However, Russia, despite its botched initial advance, retains substantial military advantages. What if it wins the war? … Continue reading “What if Russia Wins Its War Against Ukraine”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is terrible and without justification. The United Kingdom’s Lawn Tennis Association came up with a dramatic plan to end the war. It banned Vladimir Putin and his generals from playing at Wimbledon, as well as the grass court circuit preceding the venerable grand slam event. Oops, no. Tennis officials actually said … Continue reading “Wimbledon Declares Cultural Revolution Against Russians: Will Rest of World Eventually Target the West’s Crimes?”

As Russia’s war against Ukraine rages, there is hope that the even deadlier war in Yemen might finally end. The warring parties have agreed to a ceasefire which, unlike previous pacts, so far has held. This is surprisingly good news, most importantly for the Yemeni people, but also for America’s international reputation. Even as Russia … Continue reading “A Ceasefire in Yemen After Seven Years: Are US-Backed Saudi/Emirati Aggression and War Crimes Finally Over?”

Even before Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine some members of the Washington War Party wanted to attack Moscow. As the two-month anniversary of the conflict’s start approaches, an increasing number of US policy warriors appear frustrated that fear of nuclear war is holding back the administration from formally initiating hostilities. They have updated … Continue reading “US War Hawks Frustrated That Nukes Deter: But Washington’s Most Important Duty Is To Protect America”

Since World War II never has the US been in such danger, or so Washington’s bloated military budget would suggest. "Defense" outlays long ago stopped being about defense as commonly understood, at least of America. Last year’s military spending bill ran $768 billion. Adjusted for inflation it was more than during the Korean War, Vietnam … Continue reading “Big Spending Military Budget Is Supposed to ‘Restore Deterrence’: Yet US Already Deters a World Full of Threats”

War is a human horror, the best evidence possible for the existence of evil, the role of Original Sin, and the depravity of man. And so it has ever been. The mad slaughter, ferocious bloodlust, and brutal violence of ancient combat is difficult to imagine. The killing was up close and personal. Today, in a … Continue reading “Prosecute Vladimir Putin for War Crimes? Yes, Alongside MbS, MbZ, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Other Unworthies”

Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues. The latter’s citizens demonstrate that motivation matters: people defending their country are naturally more determined than conscripts ordered to kill their neighbors. US and European aid also strengthened Kyiv’s defense. Yet Moscow’s manpower and materiel advantages remain and will be difficult to reverse. Absent a peace agreement, Russia likely can … Continue reading “Neutrality for Ukraine? Armed, Yes; Guaranteed, No”

Russia’s attack on Ukraine turns uglier by the day. Moscow’s forces have compounded aggression with attacks on civilians, and apparently personal atrocities as well, conduct which will make an eventual peace settlement, as well as reintegration of Russia into the international system, much more difficult. Vladimir Putin and his ruling coterie are responsible for the … Continue reading “Russia’s Aggressive War Illustrates Importance of US Foreign Policy: Ukrainians Are Latest Victims”

Washington appears intent on making Russia’s war on Ukraine into a moral crusade. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby last week declared that "we’re certainly seeing clear evidence that the Russian military is conducting war crimes." Any large-scale conflict is going to kill civilians, some directly in combat, others from the impact of war’s destructive impact on … Continue reading “Washington Accuses Russia of Committing War Crimes in Ukraine: Terrible and True, But What About US War Crimes?”

Europe is at war and American hawks are busy. The Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig argued that "the most consequential strategic question of the 21st century is becoming clear: How can the United States manage two revisionist, autocratic, nuclear-armed great powers (Russia and China) simultaneously?" To do that he wants to double military outlays. Notorious neoconservative … Continue reading “With Russia’s Weakness on Full Display: Hawks Now Want America to Fight Russia and China”