LOS ANGELES.–Panicking over the possibility of Russia deploying a nuclear weapon in space, the White House tried to reassure Congress that it had the matter under control. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) wants answers. Turner, of course, knows that whatever reassurance 45-year-old National Security Director Jake Sullivan gives, 81-year-old President Joe Biden is a war in Ukraine with the Kremlin, putting U.S. national security at risk. Since joining Ukraine’s war with the Kremlin in 2022, Biden trashed generations of diplomacy, détente and arms control with the Russian Federation, now completely upended because the Ukraine War. Turner called Russia’s expected deployment a “national security threat” linked to a “destabilizing foreign military capability.” No one knows whether Biden has been briefed or whether he’s paying attention.
Turner and other members of Congress found the idea of nuclear space weapons a disturbing development, all caused because Biden is in a state of war against the Kremlin. Whether admitted to or not by Sullivan, he has very little leverage with Moscow because of the Ukraine War. Sullivan denied that he’s been working back channels with Russia to deal with the Ukraine War, an obstacle to normal diplomatic relations with Russia. “We are going to work together to address this matter, as we do all sensitive matters that are classified,” 51-year-old House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill. Rep. Jim Haines (D-Conn.) called the possible nuke deployment “significant” but said it’s “not a cause for panic.” White House officials know that with Biden demanding another $60 billion in Ukraine War funding, it makes diplomacy with Russia almost impossible.
Turner wants Biden to declassify all information related to the possible Russian deployment in space of a nuclear weapon. “I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information related to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat,” Turner said. As long a Biden continues his proxy war with the Kremlin, the U.S. has no leverage with its allies, all of whom are in the same boat because they also back the Ukraine War. Turner backs Biden’s proxy war in Ukraine to defeat the Russia Federation, something Tesla and SpaceX CEO said was impossible to do. So, what are members of Congress backing Biden’s proxy war in Ukraine against the Kremlin? Without diplomatic relations, how can members of Congress complain about Russia doing anything when it comes to nukes?
Members of Congress that back Biden’s proxy war in Ukraine against Russia must come to grips with what’s good for U.S. national security. Clearly, having normal diplomatic relations with the Kremlin is preferable to a state of war. Unless Congress backs starting WW III or nuclear was with Russia, they should work feverishly to end the Ukraine War. U.N. peacemakers are more than willing to start neutral peace talks agreed to by Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin, 71, recently told Fox News journalist Tucker Carlson that he was open to talks either through back channels or formally to resolve the conflict. Recent press reports indicated that Sullivan was involved in back channel talks of his own with Putin political adviser Yuri Ushakov to end the Ukraine War. Sullivan denied that he was involved in back channel talks.
Sullivan agreed that he would brief Congress on the new Russian nuclear threat, not saying whether he would declassify information before meeting with Congress. Turner said “a destabilizing foreign military capability that should be known by all Congressional policy makers,” should be openly discussed. But Turner, as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, should press Sullivan about the urgency of ending the Ukraine War and returning to normal diplomatic relations with the Kremlin. How can U.S. intel agencies do their jobs when the White House is in a state of war with their main adversary? Turner should tell Sullivan that the highest priority should be moving the Ukraine conflict to the peace table, restoring normal diplomatic relations and restarting arms control talks to make the world a safer place. What doesn’t Congress get about the value of diplomacy?
Sullivan acts clueless about the threat to U.S. national security posed by the Ukraine War, not only an arms control issue. “Americans understand that there are a range of threats and challenges in the world that we are dealing with every single day,” Sullivan said, skirting the real issue of ending the Ukraine War. “I am confident that President Biden, in the decisions that he is taking, is going to ensure the security of the American people,” Sullivan said, knowing that Biden wants $60 billion more to fund the Ukraine War. Members of Congress, like Turner, that back the Ukraine War can’t have it both ways. Looking to identify and neutralize national security threats while funding a destructive proxy war in Ukraine. More important than Ukraine’s territorial integrity is U.S. national security and world peace, something sacrificed by war with the Kremlin.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
