Adam Johnston

Writer | Podcaster | History Enthusiast | Rev. War Reenactor | Words in @FEEonline & @freethepeople | Follow me @JohnstonAdamK

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@MartinDiCaro Unfortunately, we’re still waiting on leadership to articulate what constitutes “victory.”

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

Sobering thread. This excerpt is spot on and exactly what our leaders should be doing.

Instead it’s nothing but escalating rhetoric and actions.

[Sergey Radchenko @DrRadchenko]

Does this mean we should back out and offer Putin "off-ramps." Not necessarily. But I would combine strong support for Ukraine with clear signalling that
1) the West does not seek regime change in Russia
2) de-escalation will lead to reciprocal measures
3) channels remain open.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@miltimore79 It’s really hard to square the two, yet it’s something routinely observed.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

Being concerned about US/NATO escalation is not the same as siding with Russia.

You can simultaneously want to avoid a nuclear exchange while also supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Walk and chew gum, people.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@EWErickson Wow this is really great work!

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

“We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine."

Reminds me of “you’re either with us or against us.” https://t.co/uAsjJWy8z5

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@BenFreemanDC The amount and pace of Ukraine spending is breathtaking.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

The ramifications of escalation require deep thought and contemplation.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like anyone in Congress is ready to stop, take a breath and “carefully debate and scrutinize” these aid packages.

[Ben Freeman @BenFreemanDC]

Putting Biden's new $33B Ukraine package into context https://t.co/ZdFDQJxlkp

“The amount is more than twice the largest yearly total ever provided to Afghanistan — where the U.S. was actively at war — and approximately seven times Israel’s annual military assistance package.”

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@MMazarr 💯 the multi-domain “war” that Russia has waged against the west thus far hasn’t been kinetic, which is actual war.

It’s ok to show restraint to avoid a lethal confrontation while treating Russia as an adversary.

Thank goodness Twitter wasn’t around during the Cold War.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

Well thought out piece.

The more we give to Ukraine, the more risk we assume. The US should have an idea (and more input) about what our strategic goals are.

Continuous escalation without these debates can lead to unintended consequences.

[Justin Logan @JustinTLogan]

Twitterless Gil Barndollar and I are back in @businessinsider: "If Kyiv wants critical Western assistance, it must hear Western advice as well. US assistance implicates us in this war and creates a US interest in the war's terms of conclusion." https://t.co/kb0yzhPan4

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

Good 🧵

[Daniel DePetris @DanDePetris]

On Finland, Sweden and NATO, remember: No country that applies for NATO membership is entitled to membership. Applicants apply; the alliance decides.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@rajan_menon_ You'd think with so much at stake we'd be having robust discussions and debates about the risks of escalation.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@MartinDiCaro 💯 it wasn’t the only factor for sure but a component, and in some ways simply an convenient excuse to put blame.

I’m reading “The Coming of the Third Reich” by Richard Evans now and will read that article for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

And settlements should also be carefully crafted and thought out as to their ramifications.

The peace settlement of World War 1 led to an even more catastrophic World War 2.

[Martin Di Caro @MartinDiCaro]

The alternative at this point isn't to merely stop arming Ukraine. The alternative is diplomacy. Where the heck are the diplomats? Wars end in settlements, not total victory. WWII was an exception not the rule, yes?

[Mike Mazarr @MMazarr]

Agree 100% that the US + West must support Ukraine, and oppose + and ultimately defeat (however defined) this criminal Russian aggression. But our goal must be to accomplish those things *without* escalating to general war. That's where dilemmas come in. It is not at all simple

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@MMazarr For so many people pushing for endless military support of Ukraine, short of boots on the ground, there is no “dilemma” around the ramifications of escalation. It’s reckless.

You can believe Russia is criminally liable for this war while trying to avoid a more catastrophic war.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@Nick_L_Miller Never thought I’d hear “It is what it is” associated with nuclear war

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@DanDePetris Unfortunately, I haven’t heard many people in positions of power honestly debate this question.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

I’m in the Goldilocks zone of worried about nuclear war with Russia.

[Adam Johnston @AmplifyLiberty]

@MMazarr It’s as if everyone forgot about the end of WW1 and the Treaty of Versailles. Now imagine something like that but with a nuclear power.