House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul and Rep. Barbara Lee expressed differing opinions on the Biden administration’s decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package. McCaul, a Texas Republican, supported the decision, highlighting that Ukraine needs the weapons to defend itself against Russian aggression. He emphasized that Ukraine does not intend to use the munitions in Russia. On the other hand, Lee, a California Democrat, opposed the decision, stating that cluster bombs should never be used, as they pose risks to civilians and can remain unexploded for years. She also expressed concerns about the US losing its moral leadership by providing such weapons.
Cluster munitions, or cluster bombs, are weapons that scatter shrapnel to kill troops or destroy armored vehicles, but they also leave behind unexploded “bomblets” that pose long-term risks to civilians. Over 100 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, have banned the use of cluster munitions under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but the US and Ukraine are not signatories to the ban. Despite the risks associated with these weapons, President Joe Biden approved their transfer to Ukraine, citing the country’s need for ammunition in its counteroffensive against Russia.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine expressed qualms about the decision, as it contradicts the international prohibition on cluster munitions. This could set a precedent for other nations to diverge from the ban. In contrast, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso welcomed the move and criticized the administration for taking too long to provide weapons to Ukraine.
The debate over cluster munitions coincided with discussions about the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Rep. Lee defended the Biden administration, attributing blame to the Trump administration’s agreement with the Taliban and the gutting of the State Department. Conversely, Rep. McCaul criticized the administration for what he viewed as a foreign policy blunder. The release of a State Department report further fueled the debate, with Republicans blaming the Biden administration and Democrats blaming the Trump administration for the flawed withdrawal.
It is important to note that the Taliban has rolled back progress on human rights since retaking control of Afghanistan, according to a recent report by United Nations experts. The Taliban’s actions have included violations of women’s rights by restricting access to education, employment, and freedom of movement.
The discussion surrounding cluster munitions and the withdrawal from Afghanistan reflects the complexity of US foreign policy decisions and the challenges faced in addressing conflicts abroad while preserving moral leadership and minimizing harm to civilians.