A COMMENTARY
Something is very wrong in the United States. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine War and Israel’s response to Hamas’ murderous attack of October 7, 2023, the Biden administration has been willing to share (certain) intelligence and provide (certain) military support and response sufficient to prevent the destruction of both Ukraine and Israel; however, it has been intransigently unwilling to take actions that would cause either Ukraine or Israel to WIN or PREVAIL as the clear victor in either war. Operating in wisdom is one thing, but sending a signal of fear is another.
Ukraine continues to face an existential threat from communist Russia and its leader, a Cold War veteran of the former Soviet Union’s KGB, and Israel now faces direct assault not only from Hezbollah, but Iran, which has already launched two separate missile attacks against the Israeli homeland.
Israel, as a reminder, comprises the ‘Holy Land’ where Jesus was born, lived, crucified, resurrected (defeating death and bringing eternal salvation) and is the very location where Jesus will gloriously return to earth to establish His reign and peace on the earth.
Regarding both Ukraine and Israel, the Biden administration appears more concerned about the wars being ‘tamped down’ at all costs, rather than limiting the damage and loss of life in the long run by clearly seeking victory for the freedom-loving and non-dictatorial countries of Ukraine and Israel.
War should be a last resort, but when thrust into a war, the goal and endgame should always be victory. Otherwise, one should not enter into a war. Following WWII, and ever since, the United States (and most, if not all, other Western countries) have become so risk-averse that the advantage in the short and medium run seems to go to the aggressor.
Based on events over the last several months, it has become increasing clear that both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have come to understand that although alliance with the United States and its amazing military and intelligence capabilities is both wise and critically important, that the Biden administration has consistently, and even as late as yesterday, continued to push a losing warfighting policy of proportionality.
Proportionality results in neither side being able to claim victory and the inevitable perpetuation of battle and the associated maiming and loss of human lives, civilian and military.
Proportionality misplaced sends the message, like it or not, of intimidation and fear. This leads to emboldening of evil-minded leaders of nations and terrorist organizations. In fact, I would argue that the United States’ disgusting withdrawal from Afghanistan under the Biden administration was, perhaps, the single most embarrassing and detrimental action taken by the United States in a VERY LONG time, and has led to Russia’s emboldening regarding Ukraine and the Iranian/Hezbollah/Hamas emboldening regarding Israel.
The United States knowingly and willfully chose to leave behind millions and millions of dollars of U.S. military equipment to the ENEMY (the Taliban), including the forfeiture of a strategically important military base – Bagram Air Base – and took no apparent action to prevent the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers despite clear warnings that IED attacks were forthcoming. Many American citizens and those Afghanis who assisted the U.S. military were reportedly left behind. This was a shameful action by the United States. We should never send the U.S. military into war zones if we are not seeking VICTORY, and we should never besmirch the bravery, patriotism and sacrifices of those warriors now permanently maimed and killed. This is a betrayal.
As a former law enforcement officer (special agent) with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (“AFOSI”), I was trained regarding the ‘hierarchy of force’ and the importance of responding with force that was at least one level higher than the violator was presenting – otherwise, there was no deterrent to the felonious behavior and the odds of an offender submitting without a fight were greatly decreased.
My brothers and sisters, do you honestly believe for one second that if Iran had launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at America (not once, but twice) that the U.S. Congress would have done anything less than to declare a state of war? I assure you that the president would not be publicly pushing for a ‘proportional’ U.S. response.
Israel’s response to this exact scenario could, and arguably should, include the non-proportional response of once-and-for-all destroying or seriously mitigating the nuclear program of Iran. Forget personal politics for a moment and imagine what Iran would do – as demonstrated by its own words and now actions – if it had reasonably reliable nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. Accuracy is not such a big deal when one is launching or firing a nuclear weapon, as the explosion will be dramatic and the radiation will poison the land(s) for centuries – not to mention the resulting radiation poisoning of the peoples.
The U.S. freeing up money for Iran was unthinkable to this writer. Rationalizing and minimizing the acts of war and the genuine nuclear threat posed by Iran to all democracies cannot be overstated and needs to be addressed. Tip-toeing around and ignoring the seriousness of Iran’s undertaking of, and longstanding support for, terrorism needs to finally be addressed.
Iran’s current Shia Muslim (Shiite) leadership will not be swayed by a military response that is merely ‘proportional’ and certainly not if the response is intentionally designed to avoid damaging Iran’s nuclear program(s). U.S. citizens would not stand for ‘tic for tac’ warfighting in the event of an attack against the U.S. homeland, but it seems that we don’t necessarily hold the same view when it comes to our allies or other freedom-loving nations.
War mongering is not the point nor the answer. The Answer is Jesus. The love of Christ changes hearts; however, the presence of the evil one is very real and must be acknowledged and addressed by those who know the Truth! The bible tells us that not every person will accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
We should pray for godly wisdom for our governmental leaders, at home and abroad, as the dangers of the modern world know few boundaries, and certainly not the physical borders of nation states. If we are looking for peace, then we must seek Jesus! The bible tells us that the government will rest upon the shoulder of the Prince of Peace:
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
“For unto us a Child is born, [u]nto us a Son is given; [a]nd the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Jesus tells us that we should trust in Him and not be misled through ungodly faiths and false messiahs, and that prior to His return, there will be wars and uprisings between nations and kingdoms:
Luke 21:8-10 (Amplified Bible)
“He [Jesus] said, ‘[b]e careful and see to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name [appropriating for themselves the name Messiah which belongs to Me alone], saying, I am He, and, [t]he time is near! Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and disturbances [civil unrest, revolts, uprisings], do not panic; for these things must take place first, but the end will not come immediately.’ Then Jesus told them, ‘[n]ation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom [emphasis mine].’”
The sad reality in our world today is that sometimes, war can be necessary – never desirable, but necessary. When wars were fought in the Old Testament days, they weren’t apologetically pursued, but were fought with the intention of complete victory over the enemy. The bible reminds us that there is a time for everything, and unfortunately, sometimes that includes war:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—[a] time to be born and a time to die; [a] time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; [a] time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; [a] time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; [a] time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; [a] time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; [a] time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; [a] time for war and a time for peace [emphasis mine].”
