No matter what Biden or GW Bush said, America will ultimately adapt to strategic, financial, and political reality.
"Biden pledged to back Ukraine for “as long as we can,” a rhetorical shift from previous vows to do so for “as long as it takes.” 1/
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
The proper response to this by US allies is not to panic or surrender to Beijing or Moscow. The correct answer is to have a more realistic expectation of what America can and will do, not go on what Biden said in a speech.
Best thing: Arm up yourself. 2/
If you're South Korea or Japan, don't expect Americans to commit mass suicide over what, for Americans, would be pretty marginal stakes. 3/
Good! Realism is necessary and better for all.
"some European allies...are reassessing the risks an emboldened Russia would pose to alliance members in the east." 4/
Prudent:
"In the Baltic states, officials are already telling the public to be ready for the next war because Putin’s forces aren’t going to be destroyed in Ukraine. The discussion has moved from ‘if’ Russia might attack to a focus on concrete preparations for that once-unthinkable prospect." 5/
Yeah, for multiple reasons I wouldn't bet my life on such promises.
"Despite Biden’s public assurances, questions about whether the US and other allies would actually put their troops at risk to defend tiny countries that were once part of the Soviet Union are growing." 6/
Wrong. We can't do that. Don't bet on it, Europe.
"the US would need to make a significant investment in its European forces to pose a credible deterrent, the Institute for the Study of War said in a report released last week." 7/
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.