The Ukraine crisis has provided the perfect opportunity for weapon makers to cash in. The collapse of the Afghan Army was a blow to the military-industrial complex that made billions during the two-decade nation-building project. Now, it appears the foreign policy establishment sees Ukraine as a potential Afghanistan replacement.

The State Department has approved the transfer of five helicopters that belonged to the Afghan Army to Ukraine. The helicopters are just a small part of the billions in weapons the US and its allies have given to Kyiv. Additionally, Biden has sent thousands of soldiers to Eastern Europe on costly deployments. 

Like in Afghanistan, no one realistically expects success. The US believes that in any conflict with Russia the Ukrainian military will suffer heavy casualties and fold within days. 

In the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, arms may be just a small part of the price Americans will pay for Biden’s policy. NATO has promised sanctions that it says will devastate the Russian economy. However, Biden admitted yesterday that those sanctions would also plague the American energy sector. 

The Biden Administration has also utilized the renewed fear of ‘Russian Aggression’ to levy loyalty questions at journalists. Notably, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price accused AP journalist Matt Lee of pushing a pro-Russian narrative for asking the State Department to provide evidence for their claims that Moscow was planning a false flag. 

The intelligence community has made a similar charge against Zero Hedge, with the AP reporting yesterday,  “U.S. intelligence officials on Tuesday accused a conservative financial news website with a significant American readership of amplifying Kremlin propaganda.”

The new White House effort for narrative control is eerily similar to George W. Bush dictating, “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” If rhetoric is any indication, the fear of a Russian invasion will cost Americans a lot more than just tax dollars. 

Quick Links 

US News

• The Senate confirms Robert Califf to head the FDA. [Link]

Russia

• Senate Republicans introduce a new sanctions bill targeting Russia. The bill would attempt to halt construction on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. [Link]
• Israel blocked the US from selling the Iron Dome to Ukraine. [Link]
• Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby says Russia has added more capabilities along Ukraine’s border. [Link]
• Russia says it is moving some troops away from Ukraine’s border. [Link]
• National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan repeats the claim that Russia is planning a false flag as an excuse to invade Ukraine. [Link]
• NATO is considering troop deployments to Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. [Link]
• Ukraine reaffirms its desire to join NATO. [Link]
• Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov tells Putin there are still diplomatic options available. [Link]
• Putin says Russia doesn’t want war and it is prepared to continue diplomacy on its security concerns. [Link]

China

• The State Department says it will open an embassy in the Solomon Islands to counter Chinese influence. [Link]

Iran

• Israeli fighters escorted American bombers in the Middle East. [Link]
• Israel sent diplomats to the US-Iran nuclear talks. [Link]
• Senator Lindsey Graham says Iran is more dangerous than Russia or China. [Link]
• Iran says a return to the JCPOA could happen soon if the US is serious about negotiations. [Link]

Yemen

• Saudi Arabia targeted Yemen’s communications ministry with airstrikes. [Link]
• At least 40 Houthi fighters were killed during fighting in Marib. [Link]
• Israel is pushing Biden to name add the Houthi to the Foreign Terrorist Organizations list. [Link]

Mali

• France is expected to announce its withdrawal from Mali this week. [Link]