Defense Policy Midterm Essay

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Frances Forte Professor Fraser Defense Policy 7 March 2024 Russia-Ukraine Motivations of President Putin President Putin's aggression in Ukraine is motivated by a complex dynamic of historical claims, geopolitical ambitions, and opposition to perceived threats to Russian sovereignty. While historical ties between Russia and Ukraine are significant, Putin's actions go beyond mere historical revisionism. One plausible scenario is that Putin seeks to exert control over Ukraine as a strategic move to counterbalance U.S. influence in the region and challenge the current international order dominated by Western powers. Historically, Ukraine has been an integral part of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. Putin often emphasizes these historical ties to justify Russia's intervention in Ukrainian affairs (Lawrence 199). However, the underlying motive is likely to maintain Russian influence in the post-Soviet space and prevent Ukraine from aligning itself too closely with Western powers, particularly the United States and the European Union. Putin's opposition to U.S. hegemony is evident in his actions not only in Ukraine but also in other parts of the world, such as Syria and Venezuela. The expansion of NATO into former Soviet territories and Western support for pro-democracy movements in countries like Ukraine

and Georgia are seen by Putin as direct threats to Russian interests. By asserting control over Ukraine, Putin aims to demonstrate Russia's power and undermine Western attempts to encroach upon what he perceives as Russia's sphere of influence (Safranchuk 2). Possible Solution and the Critical Role of U.S. & European Aid in Ukraine A peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine requires diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the concerns of all parties involved. One possible solution could involve negotiations mediated by a neutral party, such as the United Nations. A solution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty while also addressing Russia’s security concerns would be deemed successful. Crucially, U.S. and European aid plays a critical role in supporting Ukraine both militarily and economically. Military aid helps bolster Ukraine's defenses against further Russian aggression and signals to Moscow that the international community stands firmly behind Ukraine's sovereignty. Additionally, economic assistance is essential for stabilizing Ukraine's economy and mitigating the humanitarian impact of the conflict on civilians. It is imperative to avoid escalating the conflict into a wider war, which could have catastrophic consequences for the region and the world. The conflict in Ukraine could lead to a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO, leading to a global conflict. For this reason, diplomatic negotiations must prioritize de-escalation while at the same time searching for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and compromise. As part of any negotiation, both sides must be willing to make concessions. Accepting a cease-fire based on the current lines of the conflict presents a practical option for quickly halting the bloodshed. However, this means relinquishing control over large portions of eastern and southern Ukraine. While this outcome may exceed the expectations of some from February, it is a significant setback for Ukraine, seemingly rewarding Russia for Putin’s aggressive campaign (Pop-Up Case: Defining An

Acceptable Outcome in Russia’s War in Ukraine). While President Putin's motivations for aggression in Ukraine may be multifaceted, addressing his concerns while upholding international norms and principles is crucial for resolving the conflict. U.S. and European aid play a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine and deterring further aggression, highlighting the importance of international solidarity in the face of Russian aggression. ‘

Works Cited Lawrence, Peter. “Russia’s War in Ukraine: State Patriotism or Economic Gain?” Journal of Global Faultlines, vol. 9, no. 2, 2022, pp. 198–211. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48713462. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024. “Pop-Up Case: Defining An Acceptable Outcome in Russia’s War in Ukraine”. Defense Policy, Rutgers University New-Brunswick, 2024, https://rutgers.instructure.com/courses/263761/files/36044821?module_item_id=9269926 Safranchuk, Ivan. “The Conflict in Ukraine: Regional and Global Contexts – A Perspective from Russia.” Policy Perspectives , vol. 19, no. 1, 2022, pp. 1–5. JSTOR , https://www.jstor.org/stable/48676291. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.

China-U.S. Relations Chinese Agression in Taiwan The escalation of Chinese aggression in Taiwan illustrates the complex relationship between the U.S. and China, often described as “frenemies”. Since the relocation of the ROC to Taiwan, both the mainland of China and Taiwan have been governed separately. While the U.S. (among several other countries) does not formally recognized the independence of Taiwan, it has remained a significant partner in areas such as, but not limited to, trade, vocational training, investment, semiconductors, and infrastructure financing (Blanchette et al. 5). Since the 2013 election of Xi Jinping as president of China, however, the PRC has made efforts aimed at “reunifying” Taiwan with the mainland (Dayan and Eilam 1). In taking control over the Taiwan strait, China would be altering the political and regional structure of the Indo-pacific, therefore furthering its agenda in shifting the international balance of power (FY2024 131). In efforts to counteract China’s attempts at acquiring further authoritarian control, the U.S. has pursued strategic ambiguity. Strategic ambiguity, in other words, is the intentional vagueness in commitment of defending Taiwan against China. One tactic the U.S. has utilized thus far is the promotion of open communication with China; The events following former Speaker of the House of U.S. Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2023 depict this. While the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it was suspending all communication between U.S. military, fields of immigration, transnational crimes, and climate change in retalliation to Pelosi’s visit, the U.S would soon pursue cooperation. In November, 7 months after Pelosi’s visit, Biden met with Xi in Beijing and reestablished all previously suspended communication. President Biden also addressed existing aggression in Taiwan, stating that while the U.S. recognized the One China policy, any escalation of aggression would be an intense

violation of peace in the Indo-Pacific (Dayan and Eilam 2). These agreements made in Beijing solidified a degree of cooperation between China and the U.S., ensuring a degree of security; However, by making its support of the Taiwan Strait and its democratic values evident, the U.S. is implying a sense of loyalty to Taiwan and thus a willingness to defend it if crisis arises. In doing this, the U.S. strives to deter China from further aggression by ensuring that, while their only intent is to maintain peace, they will resort to force if needed. This demonstrates strategic ambiguity while simultaneously revealing their relationship as “frenemies”. By mantaining cooperation with China, inconspiculously providing Taiwan with the necessary resources it needs in the event of crisis, and portraying loyalty to the democratic values of Taiwan, the possibility of global conflict decreases while the possibility of Chinese deterrence increases. TECHNOLOGY RACE China’s increasing improvement in technology poses a major threat to the U.S, further highlighting the complex relationship between the two countries. Technology has become another domain of geopolitical ambition, as it plays a crucial role in structuring the international balances of power; It is even defined by the U.S. as a “war-fighting domain” (Khan, Sarmad A. et al.). Cyber attacks are just one example of this. In 2010, it was revealed that China had been imposing cyber attacks on the corporate infrastructure of Google with the intent of obtaining the information to Gmail accounts. In attempt to combat these cyber-attacks, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV announced the components of the responding cybersecurity legislation. The legislation consists of: the promotion of public awareness and freedoms, the streamlining of cyber-related government functions, facilitating productivity and partnership in domains of cybersecurity, and facilitating productivity to develop solutions to impending cyber threats (Chinese Cyber-Attacks). This retaliation demonstrates competition in areas such as

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