De-escalation in Ukraine is possible

Letter to the Editor: De-escalation in Ukraine is possible

JORDAN O’CONNELL
Oct 11, 2022
Wisconsin State Journal
Madison, Wisconsin

Last April, this newspaper published a short letter I wrote warning against the U.S. escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Loose rhetoric, along with billions of American dollars, have been poured onto the battlefield, seemingly corroborating the Russian president’s claim that the conflict represents an epochal battle between western and emerging world powers. The recent sabotage of the Nordstream pipelines presages a far more merciless fight ahead.

Yet de-esclation remains possible. Roughly half of eligible American voters will cast a ballot in November. The calculus of that vote must be determined in the hearts of the American people, not by the political parties that divide us. Many congressional campaigns assume a NATO victory is in the offing; these candidates choose to ignore the hard lessons taught by U.S. foreign interventions still ringing in the ears of the citizenry. Should the worst come to pass in Ukraine, we will need leaders, not partisans, representing our interests in Washington.

Our first president warned us more than two centuries ago: "Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice?" If it is truly an American duty to fight evil abroad, we would be permanent occupiers, and know nothing of our homes.