President Biden on Friday defended his decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, even as some Democratic lawmakers decried the move.
In an interview with CNN, Biden said that the sending of cluster bombs was a "difficult" choice, but a necessary one because "the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition." Biden added that he had "discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill" prior to making the decision.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Though they are the latest in a long line of weapons sent to Ukraine, the choice to send cluster munitions has proven especially controversial. Cluster bombs open in midair to release hundreds of smaller particles, called "bomblets," that can rain down on numerous targets at once. The International Committee of the Red Cross has said that cluster bombs "can kill and injure large numbers of civilians and cause long-lasting socioeconomic problems." A 2008 treaty prohibited the use of cluster bombs, but neither the U.S., Ukraine, nor Russia have signed this document.
Following the White House's decision, a number of top Democrats broke with Biden, lambasting his choice to send Ukraine the weaponry. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Mo.), the ranking member of the House subcommittee on defense appropriations, released a statement calling the decision "unnecessary and a terrible mistake," saying the move "undermines our moral authority and places the U.S. in a position that directly contradicts 23 of our NATO allies." Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) tweeted that the sending of cluster munitions was not the proper way to support Ukraine.
-
Can Mike Johnson keep his job?Today's Big Question GOP women come after the House leader
-
A postapocalyptic trip to Sin City, a peek inside Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour, and an explicit hockey romance in December TVthe week recommends This month’s new television releases include ‘Fallout,’ ‘Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era’ and ‘Heated Rivalry’
-
‘These accounts clearly are designed as a capitalist alternative’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump tightens restrictions for work visasSpeed Read The length of work permits for asylum seekers and refugees has been shortened from five years to 18 months
-
Supreme Court revives Texas GOP gerrymanderSpeed Read Texas Republicans can use the congressional map they approved in August at President Donald Trump’s behest
-
Boat strike footage rattles some lawmakersSpeed Read ‘Disturbing’ footage of the Sept. 2 attack on an alleged drug-trafficking boat also shows the second strike that killed two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage
-
Trump boosts gas cars in fuel economy rollbackspeed read Watering down fuel efficiency standards is another blow to former President Biden’s effort to boost electric vehicles
-
Hegseth’s Signal chat put troops in peril, probe findsSpeed Read The defense secretary risked the lives of military personnel and violated Pentagon rules, says new report
-
Trump pardons Texas Democratic congressmanspeed read Rep. Henry Cuellar was charged with accepting foreign bribes tied to Azerbaijan and Mexico
-
GOP wins tight House race in red Tennessee districtSpeed Read Republicans maintained their advantage in the House
-
Trump targets ‘garbage’ Somalis ahead of ICE raidsSpeed Read The Department of Homeland Security will launch an immigration operation targeting Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
