Chemical Weapons and Cluster Bombs

While a few people are really upset that President Biden reported an intent to nominate Elliott Abrams to an advisory board, things of more active note have occurred involving foreign policy.

Doing so with a bit of time to spare, President Biden announced:

For more than 30 years, the United States has worked tirelessly to eliminate our chemical weapons stockpile. Today, I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile—bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons.

We have been one of the last nations to fulfill our duties under the Chemical Weapons Convention and were in violation of the treaty's terms. President Biden's Administration again shows the ability to be a good member of the international community.  And, this is an important moment.

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A more troubling matter is the Administration's decision to give cluster bombs to Ukraine.  National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed the matter.  The general summary is that the bombs are more reliable than the ones the Russians are using, Ukraine requested them to defend their own territory, and they need them for balance of power purposes.  

Some Democrats have opposed this usage.  Just Security notes:

Cluster munitions are designed to disperse or release explosive submunitions, each of which weigh less than 20 kilograms. The U.S. stockpile includes dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs), surface-to-surface warheads, and other types of cluster munitions. Given that cluster munitions disperse hundreds or even thousands of tiny but deadly bomblets, their use produces significant quantities of unexploded submunitions that can maim, injure, or kill civilians and friendly forces during, and long after, a conflict.

The dangerous nature of the weapon has led to international prohibition, including twenty-three NATO members.  This is one of the international measures that the U.S. has decided not to join (Russia and Ukraine also did not the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions).  

The Just Security piece argues that it is not worthwhile to give them weapons.  I'm inclined to agree but do not pretend to have the ability to truly weigh the various sides here.  I was somewhat loathe to put my .02 in but do think the United States (as the end of the Declaration of Independence says) has rightful (and by implication wrongful) powers as a nation of the world.  They aren't special to not follow NATO here.

Ukraine promises to be careful and "minimize risk."  Okay.  They are fighting for their survival in a cruel war with Russia.  This is of limited reassurance to me.  I doubt we can be assured such weapons will only be used to protect Ukraine soil either and not be used in attacks on Russian territory.  You use weapons the best you can.  Guns in this country underline the limitations of any limitations.   

War is hell.  I do think it appropriate to trust the Biden Administration's overall judgment.  This doesn't mean they are perfect, obviously.  It does mean that there are grounds to rely on their ability to make reasonable judgment calls.  This might be a wrong one on some level.