Deciding Ukraine’s future – opinion
As Ukraine patiently waits for the U.S. Congress to make its decision on extending further aid in its effort to fight Russia’s fascists, one is left wondering not only about the logic behind the delay, but the motivation of congressional decision makers.
There was a time that support for Israel and a country like Ukraine, fighting for freedom and espousing democratic values, would have the unqualified and unequivocal moral and military support of the United States.
What happened?
Unfortunately, there is an ideological cloud that is darkening the idealistic soul of America. A Trump-inspired fascistic turn, that hearkens to a pre-WWII isolationism and a present day fascination with various forms of dictatorship that reveals an intentional myopia that is encouraged by political cynicism and by those who would deny the idealistic essence of what America has represented and given to the modern world since WWII.
It exposes the fissures and a lack of unified resolve in United States’ foreign affairs
This is a shame because it exposes the selfishness of a particular and quite effective political grouping, led by a leader bereft of core American values, and who together, fail to transcend their local political interests when it comes to making major and world effecting decisions. This is not saying that decades-long unresolved border decisions should not be a congressional priority. But it must be asked: why now? And why the connection between funding for Ukraine and issues regarding the border at this time?
Though funding can still be extended; the issue will probably be resolved early in the new year, the fact that it is being delayed is illustrative of a greater sickness on America’s political body and soul. For the framing of this debate both challenges, and in fact, casts doubt on the United States’ resolve in contributing and in the promotion of freedom over tyranny. This delay has only led to propaganda victories for Russia but undermines the confidence of a country who has sacrificed so much treasure in the advancement of freedom based on America’s promise and those of its democratic partners.
The opposition to extending funding to Ukraine is the result of petty domestic politics. It exposes the fissures and a lack of unified resolve in United States’ foreign affairs. Put more simply, it seems that if President [Joe] Biden, a long-time supporter of the tradition of American ‘exceptionalism’ and support for those struggling for freedom, is for [supporting] Ukraine, then the opposition, must be against it. But why? It reeks of juvenile behavior, that is immature and unsavory for a world military power.
That said, there is room for criticism of the Biden policy in Ukraine.
After two years of war, the Biden administration has failed to contribute to the meaning of the ultimate strategic ending of the war: what does a Ukrainian military victory look like?
What will the geo-political world look like with a diminished Russia?
What accountability structures will Russia be subjected to after this illegal and aggressive war? How will this look and how will the process of holding Russia responsible for the extensive war crimes it has committed be interpreted and adjudicated in the real world?
And perhaps most importantly for the Ukrainians, how will reparations be paid by Russia for the deliberate destruction of an independent and sovereign nation state?
The feeling in Ukraine at the present moment is that its narrative is incomplete, or rather there is a lack of confidence amongst Ukrainians as to what extent the United States will support an “end game” in its conflict with Russia.
These ruminations are not recent. It is the result of a lack of clarity and creative diplomacy and “conflict management” that has largely been determined by an understanding that this clash of societal orders is mostly understood in strict military terms. But the war, western support of Ukraine, and its ultimate outcome, is much more than that.
When it is stated by western leaders that they will be with Ukraine for “whatever it takes,” and “for how long it takes,” then why does it seem impolite to then ask, “what does this mean?”
The United States is on the brink of not keeping its word to Ukraine. This will not only have dire consequences for Ukraine, a society struggling to build an order based on truth and trust, and which is fighting for its existential life, but will have reputational and macro geo-political consequences for the partners that made promises to them.
In the present debate for further funding of Ukraine’s plight against an aggressive neighbor and challenger to the international order, it has become clear that Christian nationalists are holding up funding for Ukraine.
Whether using secular or “spiritual” criteria, Russia is not a “Christian” nation.
Russia has effectively used information and media platforms that show the use of its domestic religious institutions to fulfill its imperial ends, infiltrating the American mind that Russia somehow is the bulwark against secularism.
Given the published photos of ritual “blessing” of the tools of warfare, there is no doubt that the Russian Orthodox Church is an essential part of meeting the geo- political objectives the Russian empire.
The Church is being used for Putin’s end, it is tool of the state and always has been. There are no examples of Christian “brotherhood,” no moral condemnation of the war, nor for the horrific war crimes that have been perpetrated by the Russian state against the citizens of Ukraine. For example, according to the United Nations, Russian forces have intentionally destroyed over 500 religious buildings. Ukrainian believers, especially evangelicals, are being targeted for persecution, especially in the occupied territories.
Russia’s behavior, especially in Ukraine, clearly illustrates that it does not support ‘freedom of religion” or conscience. If anything, Russia’s behavior in Ukraine, illustrates that it does not have anything resembling a dignity-based values system. This should cause alarm amongst all believers.
American evangelicals are not aware of the fact that their Ukrainian brothers, along with their places of worship, are subject to direct and constant persecution and destruction. A theology that does not take into consideration the sanctity of the dignity of human life is not “Christ-like” and is not Christian for it fails to comprehend and apply the essential meaning of “revealed religion”, concern, and even love, for one’s fellow man and for creation. Evil kills and destroys. These facts, perpetrated by Russia cannot be disputed.
This lack of understanding and respect for human dignity has led to an “idolatry of ideology” that now permeates America’s body politic. It is solely a strict political belief that both lacks and ignores the immediacy and critique of the centrality of Scripture as to how believers are to live their lives and the decisions that are to be made.
Most simply, one is reminded of the German Church during the time of the Nazi’s. An influential group who ultimately compromised with secular political authorities for temporary political gain and power, but forgot, through stubborn negligence, to submit to the authority of God’s revealed word. Their compromises led to the death of millions, in addition to allowing for the genocide of millions of Jews.
Will America tolerate the destruction and genocide of a unique people, or will it do the right thing and fund Ukraine’s military and cultural struggle for freedom?
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