Biden shakes hand of Ukrainian neo-Nazi political leader.
House Republican Introduces Bill To Give Biden
Sweeping Authorities To Wage War in Ukraine
Kyle Anzalone / AntiWar.com & Dave DeCamp / AntiWar
(May 1, 2022) — On Sunday, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) announced a new Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). If passed, the AUMF will allow President Joe Biden to deploy American troops to defend Ukraine if Russia uses chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.
The Congressman issued a press release saying the legislation would establish important redlines and echoed Biden’s plea that “Putin must be stopped.”
“I’m introducing this AUMF as a clear redline so the Administration can take appropriate action should Russia use chemical, biological, and/or nuclear weapons. We must stand up for humanity and we must stand with our allies.
“As the President of the United States has said, Putin must be stopped. Accordingly, the Commander in Chief to the world’s greatest military should have the authority and means to take the necessary actions to do so.”
The bill titled “To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity of United States allies,” allows the President to determine if Russia has used WMDs. The AUMF terminates once the “President certifies to Congress that the territorial integrity of Ukraine has been restored.”
Similar to the 2002 AUMF, the legislation gives the President nearly a blank check to wage war. The bill does not include oversight on the determination of WMD use or sunset date.
Kinzinger announced the bill on Meet the Press, telling host Margret Brennan, “I don’t think we need to be using force in Ukraine right now. I just introduced an AUMF giving the president basically congressional leverage for permission to use it if WMDs, nuclear, biological or chemical [weapons] are used in Ukraine.”
In a speech just days before voting for the 2002 AUMF, then-Senator Joe Biden likewise downplayed the risk President George W. Bush would use the authority to go to war in Iraq. “I will vote for this because we should be compelling Iraq to make good on its obligations to the United Nations…Approving this resolution does not mean that military action is imminent or unavoidable.”
Kyle Anzalone is the opinion editor of Antiwar.com, news editor of the Libertarian Institute, and co-host of Conflicts of Interest.
Pentagon Says the US Is Training
Ukrainian Forces in Germany
(April 29, 2022) — The Pentagon announced Friday that the US has begun training Ukrainian forces in Germany on how to use advanced military equipment Washington is providing Kyiv.
“Today, I can announce that the United States has commenced training with the Ukrainian Armed Forces on key systems at US military installations in Germany,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
Kirby said the effort in Germany is building on artillery training Ukrainian forces had received from the US elsewhere in Europe outside of Ukraine. The US has been training Ukrainians on how to use howitzers, but wouldn’t disclose where the training was being held.
The current training is taking place in Germany and two other undisclosed locations in Europe. “We’re talking about roughly three locations outside of Ukraine, and in this case, we definitely can identify Germany as a site, but there are other sites outside Ukraine … we’re just not at liberty to disclose where they are,” Kirby said.
Kirby said 160 Florida National Guard troops that were stationed in Ukraine and pulled out before Russia’s invasion will be doing the “bulk” of the training. Besides artillery, the Ukrainians will also be trained to use radar systems and armored vehicles.
The UK is the only country reportedly training Ukrainian forces inside Ukrainian territory, a move that risks provoking Moscow. The Times reported that British Special Air Service (SAS) troops were in Kyiv training Ukrainians on how to use anti-tank weapons provided by London.
The announced training in Germany comes after President Biden asked Congress for a massive $33 billion aid package for Ukraine, including $20.4 billion in military aid. Both the US and NATO have said they are prepared to support Ukraine against Russia in the long term.
Washington, Kiev Contract With Private Sector
Spy Firms to Target Moscow’s Military Forces
(May 1, 2022) — The Wall Street Journal reports that the US, Ukraine, and its allies are paying companies with spy satellites to collect intelligence on Russian troop movements.
Western counties have worked with several firms that maintain hundreds of satellites making passes over Ukraine each day. While the satellites have different abilities, some can scan the entire country daily with a nine-foot resolution. Other companies collect intelligence through clouds and at night.
HawkEye 360’s fleet of satellites can actively follow Russian troop movements. John Serafini, the firm’s CEO, said it has been following Russian forces using GPS jamming equipment. Maxar Technologies is contracting with various media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal. The firm provides journalists with images of a broad range of Ukraine with a 12-inch resolution.
Officials have recently discussed giving Kiev more detailed intelligence as the battle moves to Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. The US claims it assisted the Ukrainian military in downing a Russian troop transport, killing hundreds.
Senior national security officials told the outlet that the more affordable space-based technology is making it more difficult for Russia to hide its troop placements. Officials also noted that it is easier for the White House to declassify its intelligence because the data collected from private satellites is public information.
Kyle Anzalone is the opinion editor of Antiwar.com, news editor of the Libertarian Institute, and co-host of Conflicts of Interest.
Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.
