Navy SEAL Editorial: Biden Needs To Use Diplomacy and Leadership, Not Cluster Bombs

It’s time we strap in and attempt to make sense of the chaos that continues to unfold in Eastern Europe.

The latest headlines scream of the shifty Wagner leader, Russian boots on Ukrainian soil, and the specter of Putin imploding like a small submersible on the Titanic.

As the situation spirals, it’s time we discuss a pressing question: Is a fresh influx of cluster bombs to Ukraine the answer, or do we need to rethink our approach?

There’s a danger in viewing the conflict through the narrow lens of militaristic might, a narrative we’re all too familiar with as the hogs in Washington slopped up campaign donations from Defense companies while they wasted Billions of US taxpayer money in Afghanistan.

This isn’t a call for pacifism but rather a call for common sense. The strategic SEAL within us might clamor for the immediate deployment of explosive enforcers, but before we arm Ukraine with another batch of cluster bombs, let’s pause and consider the bigger picture.

History, our most ruthless teacher, has a track record of punishing those who overlook the importance of diplomacy and leadership.

It’s not the weapon count that determines the outcome but the ability to navigate the stormy seas of conflict with the precision and tact of a sniper.

This is where diplomacy and effective leadership come into play, something that is rare in Washington these days.

Now let’s be clear: we’re not talking about the sort of diplomacy that’s limited to dry speeches and fruitless negotiations. We’re referring to the kind of diplomatic action that requires genuine engagement, understanding, and compromise. Real leaders know how to foster dialogue and forge alliances, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Putin’s struggling. There’s no doubt about it. The invasion of Ukraine is not a show of strength but a desperate scramble for power. This is not the time to fan the flames with more explosives. It’s a moment calling for strategic leadership, for diplomats who can help Ukraine stand strong and foster international alliances.

Diplomacy is not a sign of weakness, but a mark of strength. It’s a tool wielded by the brave, not the cowardly. It requires a different type of courage – the courage to admit that bombing our way out of a crisis is not only unimaginative but also perilously shortsighted.

The Ukraine situation is a Gordian knot that can’t be untangled with cluster bombs. What we need is a combination of astute leadership and tactical diplomacy.

It’s time we champion these values and work towards a resolution.

Let’s take the discussion home by addressing the proverbial elephant in the room.

President Biden’s decision to escalate the weapon supply to Ukraine is a play straight out of the old, worn-out book of international politics. It’s an approach that might seem pragmatic at first glance, but it fundamentally lacks the vision and leadership necessary to broker peace in this precarious situation.

We need a new playbook, one that doesn’t merely recycle the strategies of the past but bravely charts a path into unexplored terrain. This is where strong leadership comes into play, a quality that seems notably absent in the current administration’s approach.

Leadership isn’t about flexing military might. It’s about demonstrating the strength of character, the ability to make tough decisions under pressure, and the will to prioritize dialogue over destruction. It’s about rallying international support and brokering peace, not sending more cluster bombs into an already volatile situation.

Yet, the current administration appears to be falling into the age-old trap of equating leadership with weapon supply. As a result, the situation in Ukraine is not improving. It’s deteriorating into further chaos as the body count stacks up. We’re witnessing the fallout of a strategy that leans heavily on military tactics and pays scant attention to diplomatic solutions.

It’s time we reassess our strategy. Rather than sending more cluster bombs, let’s send a clear message of support and unity to Ukraine. Let’s pave the way to ending the conflict through robust strategic leadership.

Remember, it’s not the size of the arsenal that counts, but the strength of the strategy and the power of the diplomacy that ultimately makes the difference.

To be part of this conversation, join our SOFREP Team Room Membership today. Stand for leadership. Stand for Ukraine. Stand for diplomacy.