On Russia, is US policy edging from defense to offense?
The Biden administration’s goals for the war in Ukraine appear to be expanding beyond Ukraine.
On a surprise visit to Kyiv last week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the United States wants “Russia weakened to the degree it cannot do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine.”
Even for an administration whose objectives in the conflict haven’t always been entirely, the comment was notable. White House officials have so far focused on defending Ukraine from an aggressive neighbor. Now the U.S. seems to be saying it sees an opportunity to ensure that neighbor can’t become aggressive again.
