No, To Cluster Munitions For Ukraine

By Jag Singh, Los Altos, CA

I am appalled at President Biden’s decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, a move that has been vehemently opposed by more than 100 countries and Human Rights Watch. The use of cluster munitions poses a significant threat to the lives of both Ukrainians and Russians, in exchange for territorial gains.

The Pentagon admitted that the cluster munitions that will be sent to Ukraine contain older grenades known to have a failure rate of 14 percent or more.

The United States has a history of engaging in conflicts with a short attention span, as evident from past examples like Iraq, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

These conflicts have showcased the devastating consequences of American military interventions. The American pilots’ extensive use of cluster munitions from 1964 to 1973 in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos resulted in the deaths and maiming of thousands of civilians, including children and Americans soldiers. These crimes were never fully acknowledged and ultimately contributed to America’s humiliating defeat.

The indiscriminate nature of these weapons leads to long-lasting consequences, causing harm even after the combatants have left the battlefield.

Sending cluster munitions to Ukraine represents a clear escalation of a conflict that has already become excessively brutal and destructive. What is even more concerning is the fact that cluster munitions have been globally condemned, with the majority of nations, including America’s closest allies, denouncing them as morally repugnant.

It is disheartening to witness such a decision being made by President Biden, especially considering the lessons we should have learned from previous conflicts. Instead of exacerbating the situation, it is crucial for the United States to promote diplomatic efforts and work toward a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.

(This submission has not been edited)