{"id":1841027,"date":"2023-02-09T11:36:11","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T16:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1841027"},"modified":"2023-02-09T11:37:59","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T16:37:59","slug":"tanks-in-ukraine-and-what-they-tell-us-about-america-in-the-pacific","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tanks-in-ukraine-and-what-they-tell-us-about-america-in-the-pacific\/","title":{"rendered":"Tanks in Ukraine and What They Tell Us About America in the Pacific"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftanks-in-ukraine-and-what-they-tell-us-about-america-in-the-pacific%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1841027&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47-->\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/open-graph-2.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\"   style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n<p>Germany\u2019s insistence that the United States move first in the decision to send <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defenseone.com\/policy\/2023\/01\/us-send-31-m1-abrams-tanks-ukraine\/382184\/\">Ukraine: Tanks<\/a> tells us much about security dynamics in Europe, but it also has implications for America\u2019s strategy in the Indo-Pacific: it reveals the futility of hoping that Europe might soon stand on its own so that Washington can focus more on the Pacific theater.<\/p>\n<p>Although the decision to send tanks to Ukraine was not something many expected, it did take longer than anticipated. However, the final result should increase the chances of victory for Ukraine. The deal was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/01\/25\/us\/politics\/biden-abrams-tanks-ukraine-russia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clever <\/a>By the U.S.&#8217;s willingness to lead, it announced it would supply Ukraine-made M1A2 Abrams tank tanks. However, these tanks require more robust maintenance and logistical support capabilities. Moreover, Washington will only provide 31 Abrams tanks\u2014just 10 percent of\u00a0what Ukraine has apparently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/show\/u-s-and-germany-sending-tanks-to-ukraine-for-fight-against-russian-invasion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clearly indicated <\/a>it needs\u2014and they won\u2019t arrive in any case for several months, meaning they probably won\u2019t play any role in\u00a0an <a href=\"https:\/\/kyivindependent.com\/news-feed\/intelligence-chief-ukraine-planning-major-counter-offensive-in-spring\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Expected <\/a>This spring, the Ukrainian counteroffensive. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Washington is frustrated by the fact that Germany refused to supply tanks to America without America first. Berlin is the only candidate that has the economic, political, and technological heft to lead Europe. All other candidates are weak for different reasons. Great Britain is becoming less attractive \u201cgreat,\u201d\u00a0We are grateful in large part for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2022\/12\/24\/economy\/brexit-uk-economy\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brexit<\/a>It is forcing its military to <a href=\"https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/uk-army-to-be-reduced-to-72500\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shrink<\/a>. France has the will to lead but lacks the economic and military strength; Macron\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/emmanuel-macron-ukraine-war-volodymyr-zelenskyy-major-boost-to-french-defense-spending\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Engagement <\/a>to expand military spending\u00a0from 2024-30 will take years to yield results. Paris is also not respected by Eastern Europeans.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/carnegieeurope.eu\/strategiceurope\/86413\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Perceive<\/a> it as too willing to negotiate with Moscow\u00a0over the heads of Warsaw, Prague, Vilnius, and so forth. Farther afield, Italy and Spain appear largely uninterested in a broader leadership role in Europe \u2013 perhaps more importantly, they both have their eyes trained on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/spain-urges-nato-to-address-threats-from-north-africa-\/6645984.html&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2IDBLyLzn6krxvB0zKB2lM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Southerly instability<\/a>\u00a0It generates waves of migrants.<\/p>\n<p>Germany\u2019s singular heft notwithstanding, it currently lacks the will to lead. Berlin resists any attempt to get ahead of national or international opinion. Berlin refuses to work without agreement among its allies on international issues. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/77bc4abc-68b4-11e7-9a66-93fb352ba1fe&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2kFZNQKrzp6GhdRpr-wn-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading from the middle<\/a>.\u201d German leaders reflect the domestic scene.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2023\/jan\/25\/scholzs-caution-over-tanks-for-ukraine-echoed-on-berlin-streets&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2gocsRNb6QTOo2frzBfCCG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Slowly but hesitantly, the world is changing<\/a>\u00a0The German electorate is expressing their sentiments.<\/p>\n<p>Berlin also wants the United States to remain at the top of security matters in Europe. After all, Germany lacks a nuclear deterrent of its own, remaining reliant on America\u2019s umbrella. And the albatross of historical guilt remains around Berlin\u2019s neck when it comes to sending military forces or even military equipment anywhere but especially in Eastern Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>All of these have implications for the United States in Europe and beyond. First, it\u2019s clear that for the foreseeable future, Washington will need to lead actively in Europe. Even if war in Ukraine ended tomorrow with a victory for Kyiv, however that\u2019s defined, any subsequent attempt by Washington to pull up stakes in Europe or \u2018lead from behind\u2019 It is possible to backfire. To withdraw prematurely from Europe could be dangerous.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/policy.trade.ec.europa.eu\/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region\/countries-and-regions\/united-states_en&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2WFt_3GSgQpz8-0YHdGCR5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">enduring vital American interests<\/a>\u00a0there.<\/p>\n<p>More consequentially, in the event of a crisis in the Indo-Pacific, Washington can\u2019t rely on Europeans to completely \u2018backfill\u2019 The United States in Europe. Aside from the lack of will in Germany \u2013 the only major European ally with the wherewithal to lead \u2013 most major U.S. allies in Europe are either limiting or reducing their military capacity while they\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/14702436.2022.2110473&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2Wt3aOUMbaAXuWIQTzUzwm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Building capabilities is the focus<\/a>\u00a0Over the past decade.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><strong>Don&#8217;t miss:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>As it has for several generations\u2014and because it has vital interests across two oceans\u2014America will probably need to maintain its leading security role in East Asia\u00a0and\u00a0Europe. This role could change in Europe. This could be in the form of a new configuration of U.S. forces stationed in Europe after a Ukrainian victory. The United States will need to remain at the top of the table and lead from the front.<\/p>\n<p>In the Indo-Pacific, the United States will need to maintain and strengthen its ability to project military force and political influence across the Pacific\u2019s vast distances and over time. Washington must continue to place strategic competition with China in the areas of trade, economics, diplomacy and development. Relying\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2022\/10\/03\/how-we-would-know-when-china-is-preparing-to-invade-taiwan-pub-88053&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw1A9nvPRviPuWHbCB180Pch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Too strongly<\/a>\u00a0On\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Strategy-Denial-American-Defense-Conflict\/dp\/0300256434&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw1ra-rD0G8lXFJt8kM1U_Er\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A military framing to compete with China<\/a>\u00a0risks\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/usaf-general-warns-of-war-with-china-over-taiwan-in-2025&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw3Q5nuVpnPmWMmKMI_fnjUE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Being a self-fulfilling prophecy<\/a>\u00a0This could lead to overextension, or worse.<\/p>\n<p>Although China remains the primary long-term challenge to American interests and security, it\u2019s equally clear Russia will remain a spoiler in Europe at least through the end of this decade and possibly longer. Moscow\u2019s conflation of security and subservient buffer states is likely to continue running headlong into the West\u2019s vital interest in sovereignty and self-determination. The deal to send tanks to Ukraine should remind Washington that it must continue to exercise leadership in\u00a0both\u00a0theaters vital to the American way of life, carefully balancing the resources necessary to do so in each.<\/p>\n<p><i>John R. Deni is a research professor at the U.S. Army War College\u2019s\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/ssi.armywarcollege.edu\/&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw1heXN9vTN3vRAJ4yfddyRN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Strategic Studies Institute<\/i><\/a><i>\u00a0Nonresident Senior Fellow at the\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw11j14QbBdcG_lYTeaN0Qwl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Atlantic Council<\/i><\/a><i>. He\u2019s the author of \u201c<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Coalition-unWilling-unAble-Realignment-Geopolitics\/dp\/0472132490&#038;source=gmail-imap&#038;ust=1676057881000000&#038;usg=AOvVaw3I9KLJ0vf8uSpbKmEU1iE1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Coalition of the unWilling and unAble<\/i><\/a><i>.\u201d\u00a0His views are his alone.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Germany\u2019s insistence that the United States move first in the decision to send Ukraine: Tanks tells us much about security dynamics in Europe, but it also has implications for America\u2019s strategy in the Indo-Pacific: it reveals the futility of hoping that Europe might soon stand on its own so that Washington can focus more on &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1841030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[5374,18160,12824,6991],"class_list":["post-1841027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report","tag-america","tag-pacific","tag-tanks","tag-ukraine"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1841027","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1841027"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1841027\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1841030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1841027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1841027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1841027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}