Biden should treat the Ukraine situation like the Cuban Missile Crisis
There is an absurd conundrum at the heart of the Russia-Ukraine standoff. Russia wants a guarantee from the United States that Ukraine won't become part of NATO. NATO probably isn't going to include Ukraine in the alliance anytime soon. But nobody is willing to make that guarantee, certainly not while Russia is massing troops along Ukraine's border as a possible prelude to invasion. And so the standoff continues.
Maybe it's time for a Cuban Missile Crisis deal.
For much of the last 60 years, the 1962 Cuban crisis was told and retold publicly as a story of steel-jawed U.S. resolve. The Soviet Union deployed nuclear weapons to the island nation just 90 miles off the American coast. President John Kennedy ordered a naval "quarantine" of Cuba to prevent the delivery of additional weapons. The world stood at the brink of a massive war for a few days before Soviet premier Nikita Kruschev backed down, withdrawing his country's missiles. American determination carried the day.
Subscribe to 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.
Only that wasn't the whole story. Starting in the late 1980s, declassified documents revealed the full truth — that the U.S. had done a secret deal with the Soviets to remove American nuclear missiles from Turkey in exchange for the removal of weapons from Cuba. (Why secret? So Kennedy couldn't be accused of appeasement.) Both sides got something. Sensible dealmaking, not bluster and threats, kept them from waging a nuclear war that would end civilization.
Right now, though, there seems to be no shortage of bluster and threats. While Biden said Wednesday morning that sending U.S. troops to Ukraine is "not on the table," on Thursday he also warned Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the U.S. would impose economic consequences if Russia invades Ukraine — unlike 2014, when America largely stood by during the Russian invasion of Crimea. "I will look you in the eye and tell you, as President Biden looked Putin in the eye and told him today, that things we did not do in 2014 we are prepared to do now," said national security adviser Jake Sullivan, signaling America's steely resolve — this time.
All of this is ridiculous. If America really has no plans to go to war over Ukraine — and nobody has offered a good reason to do so, save for tired warnings about U.S. credibility — then surely an accommodation can be found. Maybe that deal has to be kept private, in order to placate Ukraine's leaders. That's fine. Admittedly, Putin has other reasons for wanting to seize Ukraine that can't be so easily defused. But if Biden can help avoid a war in Eastern Europe with a little bit of sensible, secret dealmaking, he should do it. It's OK if we don't find out for a few decades.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
The hunt for Planet Nine
Under The Radar Researchers seeking the elusive Earth-like planet beyond Neptune are narrowing down their search
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Where has the Wagner Group gone?
Today's Big Question Kremlin takes control of Russian mercenaries after aborted mutiny and death of leadership
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Grant Shapps goes to war on military's 'woke' diversity policies
Talking Point Defence secretary condemns 'extremist culture' as Army reportedly plans to relax security checks on overseas recruits
By The Week UK Published