Biden’s Decision to Allow U.S. Weapons Against Russia Harkens Back to Reagan’s Role in Saving Afghanistan
By Wahab Raofi President Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use American weapons for strikes inside Russia could significantly hinder Russian military's advances, much like President Ronald Reagan's decision to supply Afghan resistance fighters with Stinger missiles, which turned the tide against the Red Army in the 1980’s. Reluctance and hesitance had been Washington’s approach on supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking targets within Russia, stemming from concerns that such actions might provoke President Vladimir Putin to retaliate, potentially attacking a NATO member state or escalating the war. This reminds me of the debate during the ’80s, following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, about whether to supply the resistance with advanced weapons such as anti-aircraft missiles. This would challenge the Soviets’ previously uncontested dominance of the skies. But a major turn-around by Biden allowed Ukraine to cross his “re...