Tag Archives: Ukraine

A Nation’s Right to Defend Itself with U.S. Supplied Weapons

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Nation’s Right to Defend Itself

The ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and its various Arabic enemies brings forward the question of a nation’s right to defend itself. At least it does so for me and that’s why I’m writing this post. It’s an important question for people of the United States for a couple of reasons.

We provide weapons to Ukraine and Israel and restrict how they can be used. President Biden recently announced that the Ukraine can use missiles to strike deep into Russia after having long banned the practice. Meanwhile there are few restrictions on how Israel uses its U.S. made weapons.

What is the role of the United States in all of this? A fair and complicated question.

Absolutist Position One

It seems almost self-evident that a nation’s right to defend itself is without limits. When involved in war, there are few, if any limits. A nation must be able to defend itself using all available means.

Absolute Position Two

Our weapons are being used and the United States has every right to restrict how those weapons are used in a nation’s right to defend itself. If we tell a country not to use weapons in a specific way, then they must abide by those rules. After all, without our weapons they would largely be unable to defend themselves at all.

The Nuanced Position

The pragmatic position is far more difficult. Yes, we provide many of the weapons. Yes, a country is fighting for its existence. But there are global ramifications to both wars. The conflicts have the potential to spiral into larger wars. Could the entire Middle East become embroiled in war? All of Europe? Even the entire world? Are nuclear attacks completely off the table?

What are the long-term ramifications if Ukraine is destroyed, Isreal?

When a country uses weapons made in the United States there is always the potential for errors. A bomb meant for a military target might hit a school or a hospital. These are almost inevitable outcomes in the horrors of war. Children are dying in both conflicts.

It is only fair and reasonable that U.S. taxpayers who, after all, paid for all these weapons, have some say in how they are used. There are many in the United States who sympathize with both Israel and Ukraine. There are others less sympathetic and politicians are wise to consider these sentiments when restricting the use of such weapons.

My Opinion on a Nation’s Right to Defend Itself

I suppose that’s enough waffling about on the issue. I think a nation’s right to defend itself is unlimited. If they choose methods that turn their allies away from their cause, so be it. Yes, there are enormous global consequences to both conflicts but I don’t think the United States should be telling other nations how to defend themselves anymore than I think other nations should be telling the United States how to do so.

This, of course, leads me to my idealistic position.

We Shouldn’t have to ask this Question

We produce far too many weapons in this country. Far more than are needed for our defense and at an enormous price tag to the U.S. taxpayer. We sell huge numbers of our weapons to warring nations and blood is all over our hands. We are steeped in the blood of other nations and it is distressing to this Libertarian.

George Washington said it best in his Farewell Address where he advises against foreign entanglements. His reasoning is superb, and I recommend everyone read the Wikipedia summation of his thoughts.

Tom Liberman

My Story with Imperia Vodka

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Imperia Vodka

With the disgusting invasion of the Ukraine by Russia, a number of politicians ordered banning the sale of vodka produced in Russia. I’d like to talk about that today. I’m more of a whiskey and gin drinker but before covid one of my favorite neighborhood hangouts was Sub-Zero Vodka bar.

The thing I’d like to address today is if banning the sale of Russian Vodka is an appropriate response by various parties, the government, a tavern, my friends, and myself. It’s an interesting question for a Libertarian from the perspective of its legality and usefulness.

How I met Imperia and Hammer and Sickle Vodka

Ah, the good old days of Sub-Zero. My favorite bartender, Cailyn, introduced me to two premium vodkas, Imperia and Hammer and Sickle. Both are produced by Russian Standard. They accurately belong in the category of actual Russian vodka, unlike many of the brands being boycotted.

I spent many a pleasant hour snuggled up to the second bar sipping on icy-cold Imperia, or Hammer and Sickle when the aforementioned wasn’t in stock. The second bar because the ice top to the main bar proved more of a nuisance than a benefit, and the side bar was generally Cailyn’s station.

What if Sub-Zero was Still Open?

Sadly, Sub-Zero closed but what if I could still walk over? Would I order an Imperia? Do I think the mayor of St. Louis or the governor of Missouri should ban Russian vodka? Should the owners of Sub-Zero refuse to sell the vodka?

As complex as the question might be, my answer is pretty simple. I’d find a Ukrainian vodka to drink. That being said, if the owner continued to sell Imperia and Hammer and Sickle, I’d still patronize that establishment. I suspect, knowing what I know, they would likely stop selling it but that’s their business. I also wouldn’t give anyone else a dirty look or yell at them if they chose to order Imperia or Hammer and Sickle.

One of the important lessons I learned in my four years at the University of Idaho was not to criticize the way someone else goes about their business.

On the other hand, there is no way local, state, or federal government needs to get their sticky hands involved in the situation. It’s just not the business of government to tell me which vodka to drink or a business owner which vodka to sell.

This is what small government means. Sub-Zero can refuse to sell a brand of vodka or refuse to let me in if I’m not wearing a mask. They are a private business and the government has no business telling them what they can or cannot sell or telling them how to enforce a dress code.

What if Russian Standard hates Putin?

This is an important question. What if the owners of Russian Standard oppose Vladimir Putin and his amoral war? What if by not drinking their vodka, I actually help Putin by bankrupting those who oppose him?

This is the general problem with feel-good boycotts. When a boycott becomes some Cause Célèbre it ends up hurting many of the people it is designed to help. Meanwhile the self-righteous boycotters pat themselves on the back for a job well done. It’s a false sense of doing good when often you’re doing harm and it’s prevalent on both the Republican and Democrat sides of the aisle.

Conclusion

It’s entirely possible by not drinking Imperia or Hammer and Sickle I might be hurting a manufacturer that doesn’t support Putin. It’s also possible they are ardent Putin backers. I don’t know and I don’t care. I find what’s happening to be disgusting and wrong and I’m not drinking Russian vodka because of it.

Maybe I’ll never drink another glass of Imperia or Hammer and Sickle. That’s my business, not yours and not the government’s.

Tom Liberman

Russian invasion of the Ukraine and the S400

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turkey purchases Russian S400 missiles

The apparently starting invasion of the Ukraine by Russia is in the news. There are a lot of reasons why it’s happening but I’m going to argue today that Turkey’s purchase of the S400 anti-aircraft system is perhaps the main catalyst.

Now, that being said, it’s a complicated situation to say the least. That fact is Turkey, a member of NATO, purchased the Russian anti-aircraft system and installed it. It’s been tracking advanced US planes ever since. I wrote about this purchase back in 2017.

The Role of Air Power in Containing Aggressive War

Air Power is integral as a deterrent to offensive war. If you do not control the skies, it is incredibly difficult to make any sort of invasion. If Vladimir Putin isn’t at least moderately convinced the S400 and the newer s500 can suppress the United States Air Force, he is unlikely to invade the Ukraine.

Basically, a nation that controls the air can fly over the battlefield and destroy advancing invaders nearly at their leisure. This power serves as an enormous deterrent. The fact that Putin, just a few short years after the S400 went into to Turkey, is suddenly posturing so aggressive is not a coincidence, at least not in my opinion.

I’d be remiss if I tried to make this a simple issue. The United States allowed Turkey to purchase and install advanced Russian anti-aircraft systems. This in turn gave the Russian military all the data they needed to suppress the US Air Force in future conflicts. Thus, the invasion of the Ukraine. It’s hardly this simple and I’m not going to make that case. Therefore, I’m going to mention several of the other factors although I remain convinced the S400 sale is integral to current events.

Failed Wars

American Adventurism in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria soured the public on the role of the United States as a police force in the world. The people of the United States are of an America First mindset these days. We don’t want to get dragged into another endless conflict.

Soft Power

All power isn’t military power. There is something called Soft Power. This is a complicated thing, and I wrote a blog about it some time ago. It largely involves a group of allies around the world who support your agenda. It comes from economic ties, shared education, and a number of other factors.

It’s quite clear the United States no longer pursues the policy of Soft Power with the vigor it once did. Russia and particular China are making allies around the world through various policies including the transfer of energy.

Europe depends on Russian energy. Russia is emboldened to do as they like.

The Big Stick

The United States possesses a large stick with which to intimidate nations into doing as we desire. This stick is based largely on economics, sanctions. If a nation behaves in a way we dislike, we impose sanctions.

The problem with the big stick is analogous to a threat in chess. The threat is more effective than the actual implementation. The United States has used the stick far too frequently and drained its power significantly.

Sanctions? So what? We don’t care. We’ve got other trading partners. You’re all about America First now and your sanctions are impotent. We’ve seen them in action and are ready.

Now, this isn’t completely true. Our economic power in the world is still tremendous and our stick is still heavy. Just less so and that’s a factor.

Conclusion

It’s complicated. That’s my conclusion. Anyone who tells you there are simple causes; it’s Biden’s fault, it’s Trump’s fault, it’s Obama’s fault, it’s Bush’s fault, or it’s anyone’s fault is simply deflecting blame for political gain. They want to manipulate you into a vote or an ideology.

There are a lot factors involved but if the Russians weren’t convinced they can suppress the US Air Force, we wouldn’t be where we’re at. That’s my conclusion. Turkey purchased and installed the s400 and this is the reward we reap.

Tom Liberman