The United States is fully capable of maintaining its commitments to support both Ukraine and Israel in their respective conflicts, according to Ambassador Julianne Smith, the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO.
Speaking during a recent press briefing, Ambassador Smith told myself and other reporters that stressed that the U.S. remains dedicated to assisting both countries despite concerns over the strain such commitments may place on resources.
With conflicts in both Eastern Europe and the Middle East demanding international attention, questions have arisen about the U.S. ability to balance its support.
However, Ambassador Smith was clear in her response: “We feel comfortable with maintaining the commitments we have to allies and partners, both in the Middle East and for our friends in Ukraine.”
No Zero-Sum Approach
Ambassador Smith addressed concerns over a potential zero-sum approach, where increased support for one conflict could reduce assistance for the other. She mentioned that the U.S. government sees no contradiction in supporting both Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and Israel as it faces escalating violence.
“These are in many cases different types of systems that are being provided, using sometimes different forms of assistance in the U.S. Government,” she explained, indicating that resources allocated for Ukraine and Israel are distinct and not in competition.
Strong International Support for Ukraine
Ambassador Smith also noted the critical role played by the international community in sustaining support for Ukraine.
“With the great contributions that we have seen from so many nations around the world for Ukraine, we believe that together we can continue to get them what they need while also ensuring that we can defend Israel at the same time,” she said.
NATO members and other allied countries have been steadfast in their assistance to Ukraine, providing military equipment, financial aid, and humanitarian support since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022.
This collective effort, Ambassador Smith suggested, allows the U.S. to focus on ensuring both Ukraine and Israel receive the help they need.
Only loosely related Australia has just announced it is going to donate 49 Abrahms M1A1s to Ukraine.
That’s a big donation. Aussies don’t need them as they’ve ordered and started receiving deliveries of the M1A2s.
The US is already showing the strain of having to support two major wars while re-positioning its forces and strategy to confront China in the Pacific. The Ambassador has absolutely no experience in the Middle East or the Pacific and has no real world experience.
There is little doubt that there is coordination between China, Russia, and Iran to stretch the US to a breaking point. The US is using SM-2 missiles at a cost of $2 million + to take out $2,000 drones. That’s simply unsustainable. The US is turning out 30,000 155mm artillery shells per month and will be producing 100,000 shells by the summer of 2025 just to support Ukraine. That’s unsustainable. Not to mention the diversion of forces needed in the Pacific to the Middle East to protect shipping lanes vital to Europe, but not to the United States.
At some point, most likely during a Trump administration, the US will have to set priorities. And there is absolutely no way that Ukraine is afforded a higher priority over Israel. Americans have an emotional attachment to Israel. They have absolutely no emotional attachment to Ukraine. Ukraine is seen as a corrupt, pseudo-nation demanding unlimited support but, in return, offering only meddling in US politics and financing of a US President’s son’s corruption. A substantial portion, probably vast majority of Americans, see Ukraine as a European problem. One that Europeans have the means to solve, if not the ability or will.
Provided Trump doesn’t get re-elected in a few weeks.