As we commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, we must draw critical lessons from that harrowing chapter of history.
The standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union was not just a close call; it was a stark reminder of the perils of unchecked aggression and the necessity of standing firm against tyranny.
Today, as Ukraine battles for its sovereignty against Russian invaders, we find ourselves at a similar crossroads, one that demands unwavering support for democracy and decisive action against autocracy.
The Cuban Missile Crisis showcased the dire consequences of appeasement.
President John F. Kennedy’s choice to confront Soviet threats head-on, rather than back down in fear, averted a potential catastrophe. Similarly, the international community must rally behind Ukraine, providing all necessary resources to ensure its right to self-defense.
Just as the U.S. fortified its position in the face of Soviet aggression, we must supply Ukraine with advanced weaponry and logistical support to repel Russian forces.
Anything less would echo the failures of the past, potentially emboldening aggressors and undermining global stability.
Disgraced former President Donald Trump said the United States needs to get out of the war in Ukraine and he claimed Vice-President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden “got us into this war in Ukraine, and now they can’t get us out.”
In a 2022 Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham, the current Republican presidential candidate claimed that American troops were in Ukraine fighting against Russia, but that isn’t true.
More recently, Trump —who surrendered Afghanistan to the Taliban in February 2020—argued Ukraine should have made concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the months before he ordered the violent February 2022 invasion.
Although the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically since the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia, under Putin, has sought to resurrect a form of imperialism that disregards international norms and human rights.
The time has come to re-evaluate Russia’s place on the global stage, particularly its position on the UN Security Council.
Given its actions in Ukraine and its departure from the principles that should guide the United Nations, there is a compelling case to be made for removing Russia from its position on the UN Security Council.
This measure would ensure accountability for Russia and reinforce America’s dedication to an international order governed by rules.
The Bay of Pigs episode and the Cuban Missile Crisis should have taught us that ambiguity in leadership can lead to disastrous results. The United States cannot afford to be ambiguous in our support for Ukraine or in our stance against Russian aggression.
Putin is undertaking a misguided and ill-conceived strategy to restore his nation’s stature status as an imperial force and to assert Russia’s prestige, authority, and determination on the global stage.
Putin is frustrated not only by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 but with the fallen empire dating back to his ancestors’ tragic defeat during the Mongol conquest of the 13th century, when Batu Khan conquered Russian principalities, including Ryazan, Moscow, Vladimir, Suzdal, and Rostov. The Mongols looted and destroyed cities, slaughtered people, and took prisoners and slaves.
In its imperial conquests, Russia burned villages to the ground, incinerated forests, and took civilians as hostages. For 70 years, Russia’s brutal imperial history was intertwined with the expansionist aims of communism.
The lessons of history urge us to act decisively. We must leverage all diplomatic, economic, and military resources to compel an end to hostilities and to restore peace in Europe.
As we reflect on October 1962, let us be resolute in our support for Ukraine. Let us remember that the stakes are as high now as they were during the Cold War.
Our failure to act against the encroachment of authoritarianism could pave the way for future conflicts, threatening not only Ukraine but democracies worldwide. Worse yet would be the election of Trump Republicans who won’t defend Western civilization and could impose fascist authoritarianism on the United States under the guise of Christian Nationalism.
It is our responsibility to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated and that we stand firmly on the side of those who fight for their freedom.
The legacy of the Cuban Missile Crisis should inspire us to take bold actions in support of Ukraine, to confront Russia’s aggression head-on, and to uphold the values of democracy at homw and abroad.
The world is watching, and history will judge the United States by the actions Americans take today.