If God forbid the administration fires it, the results will be to wound Moscow, but also to blow off America’s own toes.
By Anatol Lieven, Responsible Statecraft
The Menendez bill on sanctions against Russia could be described as a hair trigger on a single-barrel sawed-off shotgun, with all that weapon’s combination of dreadful effect and lack of discrimination. If, God forbid, the Biden administration fires it, the results will be to wound Russia, but also to blow off America’s own toes. Having expended its single barrel, the United States will also have no weapon left to deter Russia — whereas Russia will have many left in its armory.
The “Defending Ukraine Sovereignty” bill provides for a large range of severe sanctions both against trade with Russia (including secondary sanctions on foreign firms that do so) and against specific Russian individuals and banks. The most radical element of the bill would seek to remove Russia from the Swift international banking payment system.

Since the United States and NATO have stated explicitly that there is no question of their sending troops to defend Ukraine, the threat of massive sanctions is by far the most effective deterrent to a Russian invasion that the West possesses. By the same token, it is vitally important that this deterrent not be expended prematurely, leaving us with no remaining means of leverage over Russia.
Recent Posts
Bernie Sanders Vs. Howard Schultz: Longtime Starbucks CEO Grilled On Company’s Union-Busting Tactics
March 30, 2023
Take Action Now Bernie Sanders grilled the former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz about the company’s illegal anti-union practices by Amy…
Tragedy In Ciudad Juárez Highlights Dangers Faced By Migrants
March 30, 2023
Take Action Now The tragic event shines a light on the multitude of dangers facing the hundreds of thousands of migrants who set off on perilous…
How Abortion Bans Are Impacting Pregnant Patients Across The Country
March 30, 2023
Take Action Now Leading legal scholar Mary Ziegler and Tennessee OB-GYN Dr. Nikki Zite talk to ProPublica about ominous trends and threats to…
The Biden Budget Does Some Good But Could Do More If It Cut The Pentagon
March 30, 2023
Take Action Now It’s clear that keeping the status quo on Pentagon spending means needlessly keeping millions mired in poverty By Lindsay…