Biden’s Blunder: Ukraine in Memoriam
"We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted."
— Ronald Reagan, Republican National Convention, July 17 1980.
Our nation has just observed and honored Memorial Day.
But we must also reflect on the tragedies that have shaped our world.
The echoes of past conflicts resonate today, to remind us of the sacrifices and lessons learned. In this spirit, we turn our attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a situation that reverberates with the haunting memories of Vietnam and other historical entanglements.
America, once the titan of World War II, today is more resembling the aging figure of ancient Rome, not from external threats but internal decay, its core rotted by the self-serving machinations of a global political elite.
As challenges emerge on multiple fronts, how do we confront the stark reality that our demise may be hastened by faltering leadership?
President Biden, a ghostly figure representing a fading empire, struggles to manage borders and international crises, emblematic of a nation grappling with its self-identity and role in the world.
The seeds of the Ukraine conflict lie deep in the soil of history, most recently in the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
At the time, newly independent Eastern Bloc states like Ukraine emerged from the ashes to grapple with political turmoil and economic uncertainty.
As Russia sought to reassert its boundaries in the region, Ukraine became a pivotal piece in Putin's game, staving off NATO to manage the threat from neighboring states like Georgia and Belarus.
However, his geopolitical maneuvers only prolonged what would erupt into full-out war.
In 2008, as NATO flirted with the idea of Ukraine's membership, Putin unleashed warnings, viewing any eastward expansion as a direct assault on Russia's security.
The Russo-Georgian War that ensued that year showed Russia's willingness to act aggressively in the region once it felt an existential threat.
Similarly, in 2014, Putin's warnings crescendoed as Ukraine leaned closer to the West, culminating in the annexation of Crimea and the eruption of conflict in eastern Ukraine.
These were Putin's reactions to safeguard Russia's sphere of influence and halt Ukraine's drift toward NATO.
One could argue that Russia was justified in concerning itself with its immediate border (1,426.07 miles) and geopolitical survival, much like the U.S. during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
The West's meddling in Ukrainian affairs, epitomized by Hillary Clinton's role in the Orange Revolution (demonstrations and other events occuring from November 2004, to Jan. 2005), only stoked tension and ignited Russia's ire.
Western powers, spearheaded by the United States, unabashedly supported opposition movements in Ukraine, sowing discord and exacerbating geopolitical rivalries.
Biden’s blunder, as the face of blind interests, has shown an unwillingness to lead through strength or realist wisdom, such as using triangulation of power to keep Russia out of China's hands.
Instead, he doubled down on bringing Ukraine into NATO in 2021, leading to Putin's invasion. In doing so, he has also stretched America's strategic focus and weakened its position in a more critical theater.
Biden's military misjudgments have also led to Ukrainian displacement and death, estimated at 500,000, and compelled Putin to rebuild his munitions manufacturing base and find new buyers for its oil.
Biden’s war serves as a stark reminder of the perils of unchecked profit and political interest under the guise of supporting freedom and democracy, a story we have heard before.
As the final helicopters lifted from Saigon in 1975, their silhouettes etched against the crimson sky, we recall the harrowing scenes of a desperate time and the heavy toll of conflict.
Ukraine is intertwined with the ghostly echoes of Vietnam, beckoning us to heed the wisdom of Reagan, who stood ready with the dark forces of war but offered peace — an example of moral leadership along with Lech Wałęsa and John Paul II.
Ultimately, history's lessons remind us that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice and respect for boundaries, even for adversaries, or dictators we morally despise.
In the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, Ukraine, out of mercy and compassion for its people, should be consigned to the tragic pages of history, never to be repeated.
It serves as another reminder of the dangers of empire without the imperatives of national interest or the discipline of self-restraint.
As we commemorate Memorial Day, let us remember the fallen and the enduring lessons of history.
Ukraine's plight is a poignant reminder of the costs of war and the need for thoughtful, principled leadership. Biden symbolizes an empire in transition, struggling to find its footing in a morally fading world.
May we honor the past by striving for a more just and peaceful future, mindful of the sacrifices made and the imperative to avoid repeating the mistakes that have led us to war.
Robert Orlando, B.F.A., School of Visual Arts, M.T.S., Princeton Seminary, founded Nexus Media as an award-winning author, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. Orlando has directed documentaries such as "Silence Patton," "The Divine Plan," "Trump's Rosebud," and "The Shroud Face to Face." His books include "Apostle Paul: A Polite Bribe," "The Divine Plan," "The Tragedy of Patton," "Citizen Trump: A One Man Show," and "Apostle Paul: The Final Verdict" (2024). He is also working on "To Hell with Karl Marx" for a 2025 film adaptation. Orlando is completing his ThM degree at Princeton Seminary. For more on the Cold War and the Berlin Wall see thedivineplanmovie.com.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.