Exploring Biden's Decision to Supply ATACMS Missiles to Ukraine

By IndraStra Global Editorial Team

Cover Image Attribute: M142 HIMARS and ATACMS missiles / Source: Mariusz Burcz

Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, President Joe Biden's recent decision to supply Long-range missiles, specifically MGM-140A ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems), is a stark reversal of his prior stance. This strategic about-face did not materialize in isolation but was, instead, the culmination of a complex and delicate diplomatic journey. Throughout this process, the President and his administration grappled with intricate negotiations, internal differences of opinion, and the profound weight of international factors. In this article, we will delve into the multifaceted backdrop that set the stage for President Biden's pivotal decision and explore its potential implications, both for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader international landscape.
Since the early days of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had persistently conveyed his desire to obtain ATACMS missiles capable of reaching air bases and Russian military installations located more than 100 miles behind the front lines. For almost a year and a half, President Biden had consistently responded with a firm "no," citing concerns about crossing what he considered one of President Vladimir Putin's "red lines." This apprehension was understandable, given that Putin had intermittently threatened to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.
The turning point came when Russian-held air bases in southern and eastern Ukraine were hit by ATACMS missiles, revealing that the United States had altered its position on supplying these weapons to Ukraine. The ATACMS missiles represented the final unfulfilled request on Zelensky's list of requirements.
The decision-making process leading to this shift was intricate and multifaceted, contrary to the caricature circulating in Washington, which portrayed President Biden as overly cautious. The course change was influenced by various factors, including pressure from members of Congress. Representative Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger from Colorado, penned a letter to the White House, underscoring the necessity for Ukraine to possess weapons capable of targeting deep supply lines and Russian command and control centers. Crow also emphasized that, while effective, Ukrainian weaponry had limitations as the Russians had adapted to stay beyond its reach.
Furthermore, President Zelensky's visit to the NATO summit in Vilnius in July played a pivotal role. During the summit, Zelensky expressed his frustration over President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's reluctance to clearly state Ukraine's NATO membership prospects. Zelensky's bitterness was evident when he asserted that "there is no decision" from President Biden regarding the ATACMS issue. This public expression of dissatisfaction added to the mounting pressure.
The White House, however, insists that it adheres to a thorough review process to ensure that supplied weapons align with Ukraine's actual needs. In July, President Biden's advisers identified a "clear use case" for ATACMS aligned with Crow's assessment. This use case involved employing ATACMS to target supply lines and air bases previously beyond Ukraine's reach. A pivotal meeting in the office of Jake Sullivan, the President's National Security Adviser, laid the groundwork for developing options.

Infographic Attribute: Indications & Warnings / @ChuckPfarrer

Within the administration, there was a notable division of opinion. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken advocated for providing weapons to Ukraine promptly, contending that any delay conveyed reluctance. On the contrary, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III expressed reservations, highlighting the limited supply of ATACMS missiles and the vulnerability the U.S. and its allies would face should they be handed over. The financial aspect also played a role, with the White House being cognizant of the allocated budget for military aid to Ukraine.
By September, the analysis and proposal from the team led by Sullivan and Jon Finer, his primary deputy, indicated that the escalation was no longer a significant concern. The UK had already supplied Storm Shadow missiles with similar ranges to ATACMS, and Putin's response had been minimal. Consequently, Austin concurred, mainly because the ATACMS version under consideration had a limited range of 100 miles and carried cluster munitions designed for maximum damage to unprotected targets like Russian aircraft.
While effective in targeting military assets, Cluster munitions are banned by international conventions due to the potential harm to civilians caused by unexploded submunitions. In July, the United States sent other cluster munitions to Ukraine, eliciting widespread condemnation. Nevertheless, several other administration officials embraced the proposal to provide ATACMS missiles, ultimately winning President Biden's approval.
The decision was shared discreetly with President Zelensky during their meeting in Washington the previous month, with both leaders deciding not to announce it publicly. However, the information did eventually leak out. The timing of the shipments was kept confidential, a strategic move aimed at surprising the Russians before they could relocate their helicopters out of the missile range. This maneuver has been crucial in the recent strikes on Russian-held air bases.
The path that led to President Biden's commitment to provide ATACMS missiles to Ukraine was characterized by an arduous and intricate process. It unfolded amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics, internal deliberations within the administration, careful analysis of international implications, and mounting external pressures. The decision to arm Ukraine with advanced weaponry signals the multifaceted challenges that come with steering foreign policy in today's unpredictable global terrain. As the conflict in Ukraine persists, it serves as a stark reminder of the intricate and multifaceted nature of diplomatic decision-making when global stability hangs in the balance.

IndraStra Global is now available on
Apple News, Google News, Feedly, Flipboard, and  WhatsApp Channel

COPYRIGHT: This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

REPUBLISH: Republish our articles online or in print for free if you follow these guidelines. https://www.indrastra.com/p/republish-us.html