Principles of Government

By Jacquelyn Schneider – Support for Ukraine can dovetail with these priorities, however. Investing in defense production capacity and weapons stockpiles can help shore up U.S. deterrence in Taiwan and elsewhere—convincing states looking for a quick win that the U.S. is willing and prepared to sustain support for the long-term. That message will be especially important as the U.S. balances both a rising China and a revisionist Russia. Moreover, the U.S. can draw on its history, as it has successfully surged its economy to support wartime weapons production in the past: The U.S. “arsenal of democracy” was a key factor in the Allies’ victory in World War II.

The U.S. can support Ukraine through its war of attrition with Russia. But to do so, it will need to make significant reforms to its defense acquisition and production policies. Those changes will have to happen fast, because Ukraine might not have “as long as it takes” to survive. Read More