The Opinions Is the Ukraine War the Next Afghanistan?
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Jun 5, 2025 Megan Stack, a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and former Moscow bureau chief for The Los Angeles Times, shares her insights on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She discusses the grim realities of the war and the challenges in negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia. The conversation also delves into how the situation reflects broader shifts in global power dynamics and U.S. foreign policy. Stack highlights the complexities of Russian leadership and the pressing need for ethical considerations regarding military support.
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Putin's Long Game and Europe's Response
- Putin's defeat is unlikely soon as he plays a long game using endurance and heavy cost to wear enemies down.
- Trump's potential US disengagement has pushed Europe to discuss greater involvement and support, which harms Putin strategically.
Short, Medium, Long-Term Conflict Outlook
- The conflict has no clear short-term decisive victory for Russia but faces a dangerous medium-term if the US pulls back support.
- Long-term, rising European defense investments may counter Putin's aggression, but the medium-term remains the most precarious.
Ukraine War as Global Inflection Point
- The Ukraine war is a key inflection point amid shifting global order with rising China, India, and the Global South asserting new priorities.
- NATO's long-term relevance may wane as the US turns inward culturally and reevaluates its geopolitical commitments.