In February 2022, when Vladimir Putin sent 200,000 of his troops to topple the Ukrainian government, the Biden administration was quick to respond. Within days of the invasion, it approved $350 million worth of weapons to be sent to Ukraine, as well as a series of “shock and awe sanctions” against the Russian economy, all in an effort to prevent Ukraine from being conquered. Yet, while Joe Biden made clear that he intended to help Ukraine defend itself, he also made it clear that America had more important priorities in the conflict, above all avoiding a direct confrontation with Russia. In...