How U.S. might help Ukraine — without broadening the war

Israel and Turkey are the two US "allies" who have imposed no sanctions on the Russians and have shown an inclination not to ever do so. Both are too strongly tied to Russia to think about applying the kinds of sanctions the other democratic nations are imposing. Maybe the aid the US gives Israel ought to be given to Ukraine instead?

Turkey is a member of NATO. Israel is not. And the US does not have a security treaty with Israel. US has.a close "ally" in Mexico, and even has a security treaty with them. And gives aid to Mexico. But Mexico has not imposed sanctions on Russia. And the US gives ample aid to the Palestinian Territories, which has not imposed sanctions on Russia. The US is already providing aid to Ukraine. What purpose would it serve to take away aid from US allies? That would improve the US stature in the geopolitical realm?

Much is said about the fear that the US and NATO have of broadening the war, and the fear of Russia's nuclear weapons.

I cannot stop recalling how China directly confronted US and UN troops in North Korea, although the US had nuclear weapons, and China did not. Chinese troops and jets directly engaged US and UN troops and planes, and yet the war did not expand beyond Korea, or become a nuclear war.

One might also point out how North Korea attacked South Korean and American troops in June of 1950, without regard for starting World War III.

Does the world automatically assume that the Western powers are rational, and that Putin is not?

I cannot stop recalling how China directly confronted US and UN troops in North Korea, although the US had nuclear weapons, and China did not. Chinese troops and jets directly engaged US and UN troops and planes, and yet the war did not expand beyond Korea, or become a nuclear war.

Two points.

First, the US came very very close to expanding the war to China. Truman actually had to sac MacArthur to keep him from doing it, it was that close.

Second, China wasn’t confronting a fascist madman trying to conquer a neighboring country like we are with Putin, it was confronting Truman who didn’t want to expand the war. And even then, it was a close call.

Its not an encouraging example.

Does the world automatically assume that the Western powers are rational, and that Putin is not?

I wouldn’t assume western powers are always rational, but Putin has already shown himself by invading Ukraine to be reckless and irrational.