Brooklyn for Peace
(January 26, 2022) — As the tensions over the Russian-Ukraine conflict ratchet up, US policy grows more dangerous. The possibility of a “hot war” between the US and Russia, both armed with nuclear weapons, is very alarming. The time to speak out is now!
Unfortunately, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate (Representative Meeks and Senator Menendez) are working on legislation to expedite the shipment of $500 million in weapons to Ukraine and require punishing sanctions on Russia, which would only hurt civilians. This will make the existing crisis even more dangerous.
Call your Congressional Representative and Senators TODAY. Let them know you favor serious diplomacy which lowers tension and that you oppose more military threats by the US and NATO. Ask them NOT to co-sponsor the “Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act”. (Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer is already a co-sponsor. Ask him to remove his name.)
Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Be Informed — Check out these recent articles on our website, and this emergency webinar with CodePink’s Medea Benjamin and Lawrence Wilkerson.
But don’t delay! President Biden has just ordered 8,500 US troops to be on heightened alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe, as the dangerous escalation at the Russian/Ukrainian border standoff intensifies. Biden is also considering sending more warships and aircraft, and has already delivered more “lethal aid” to Ukraine.
ACTION: The $500 million Congress is set to authorize is on a fast-track to a vote. We need to do everything possible to stop it!
As the tensions over the Russian-Ukraine conflict ratchet up, US policy grows more dangerous. Some helpful articles:
- Anatol Lieven, “Russia Has Been Warning About Ukraine for Decades. Russia Has Been Warning About Ukraine for Decades. The West Should Have Listened – Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
- Matt Taibi, “Let’s Not Have a War” Let’s Not Have a War – TK News by Matt Taibbi (substack.com)
- Joseph Gerson, “ How the US and NATO Could Settle Dispute Over Ukraine Without War, Opinion | How the US and NATO Could Settle Dispute Over Ukraine Without War | Joseph Gerson (commondreams.org)
- Michael Klare, “A New March of Folly in Europe.” A New “March of Folly” in Europe: Can It Be Averted? | The Nation
- Statement from the American Committee for US-Russia AccordStatement from The American Committee for US-Russia Accord – American Committee for US-Russia Accord (usrussiaaccord.org)
New Cold War with Russia and China
(January 18, 2022) — United States tensions with both China and Russia have become increasingly prominent and dangerous. It is no surprise that conflict with these two countries is once again providing a rationale for extravagant military spending. Earlier this month, both Houses of Congress passed a 2022 National Defense Authorization Bill for $770 billion. Here are some useful articles offering a critical perspective:
Conflict with Russia
- Anatol Lieven, “Tragedy of the Victor: America and the End of the Soviet Union,” December 27, 2021https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/12/27/tragedy-of-the-victor-america-and-the-end-of-the-soviet-union/
- Anatol Lieven, “Did this week’s US-NATO-Russian Meetings Push US Closer to War?” January 13, 2022.Did this week’s US-NATO-Russia meetings push us closer to war? – Responsible Statecraft
- Katrina Vanden Heuvel, “What a Sensible Ukraine policy would look Like” January 4, 2022,Opinion | What a sensible Ukraine policy would look like – The Washington Post
- Stephen Wertheim, “Sorry Liberals but You Really Shouldn’t Love NATO,” June 14, 2021Opinion | Biden and the Democrats Love NATO. Should They? – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
- Joseph Baratta, How Can We Avoid a New Cold War with Russia” December 7, 2021How we can avoid a new Cold War with Russia – Responsible Statecraft
US Conflict with China
- Michael Klare, “None Dare Call it Encirclement,” January 23, 2021.https://tomdispatch.com/none-dare-call-it-encirclement/
- Peter Beinart, “Biden Thinks He Can Have it Both Ways on China. He’s Wrong.” November 18, 2021, Opinion | Biden Met With Xi. But Is His China Policy Right? – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
- Charles Freeman, The Growing Peril of War with China Over Taiwan, December 22, 2020.https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/12/22/the-growing-peril-of-war-with-china-over-taiwan/
- Noam Chomsky, US-China Cooperation is Essential to avert a Cold War,” December 22, 2021.https://truthout.org/articles/noam-chomsky-us-china-cooperation-is-essential-to-avert-a-new-cold-war
- Joe Gerson, “Alternatives to the Pentagon’s China Nightmares,” November 6, 2021https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/11/06/alternatives-pentagons-china-nightmares
