May 20, 2025
Ukraine Is Europe’s War. Isn’t It?
A new article from Andrea Kendall-Taylor in The New York Times highlights the stakes of the war in Ukraine for the United States. Despite an apparent belief by the Trump administration that this war only matters to Europe, how it ends has implications for Americans. If the United States fails to stand up to Russia now, in Ukraine, it is likely to have to do so at a significantly higher cost in the future. One of the major implications of the war for the United States include the risk of a broader war in Europe, given Putin’s objectives extend beyond Ukraine – a conflict which would not leave the US unscathed.
Furthermore, a negotiated peace that leaves Ukraine vulnerable and Russia emboldened could increase the global challenges that Washington faces. Freed up from its efforts in Ukraine, Russia would be able to redirect its energies to destabilizing operations elsewhere, and be a more potent partner for China, Iran, and North Korea. The war in Ukraine may be being fought across an ocean, but if the Trump administration chooses not to invest in resisting Russia now, Americans will pay a greater cost down the line.
Read the full article on The New York Times.
More from CNAS
-
How Nuclear War Could Start
Commentary
To understand how it could all go wrong, it is useful to look at some examples of how it almost did....
By Jon B. Wolfsthal
-
How the U.S. and Europe are Rethinking China
Podcast
China has remained a persistent—and increasingly complex—challenge. With looming discussions of tariffs and strategic decoupling from the U.S., European leaders are watching c...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Noah Barkin
-
‘Spider’s Web’ Warning: The U.S. Must Prioritize Drone Defense to Avoid Russia’s Fate
Commentary
This attack is wake-up call for US military: its counter-drone efforts are inadequate and are not keeping pace with the threat....
By Stacie Pettyjohn & Molly Campbell
-
Untangling Ukraine’s “Operation Spiderweb”
Podcast
In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Bendett's previous experience includes working f...
By Samuel Bendett
