Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Venezuela
    • China
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Ukraine-Russia / Biden’s ATACMS gambit on Ukraine could blow up in America’s face
Ukraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

November 20, 2024

Biden’s ATACMS gambit on Ukraine could blow up in America’s face

By Daniel Davis

The U.S. embassy in Kyiv closed its doors on Wednesday, warning all its employees to “shelter in place” in the event of an air raid siren. The embassy shut down over fears a Russian attack against the American building could be imminent after Biden’s inexplicable escalation of the war by authorizing long-range American weapons to be used deep inside Russia.

It is unclear why, this late in the war and in the eleventh hour of his presidency, Biden chose to take action that carries a significant war escalation risk. That this decision represents a serious and unnecessary danger to the United States—while simultaneously raising the chances of a Ukrainian defeat—is very clear.

It is clear to those willing to see through the lens of reality. There are those in America that, on the surface, appear to have great credentials and have hailed Biden’s decision to allow the ATACMS missiles to be used by Ukraine to attack targets deep in Russia. Former generals Jack Keane, Barry McCaffrey, and Wesley Clark all came out in support of the president’s decision.  Keane actually complained that there were still too many restrictions on the use of the missiles.

These “war-first” generals have given disastrous advice on television throughout this war. Recall that in September 2023, when the Ukrainian summer offensive had been exposed as a total failure, David Petraeus declared that Ukraine could still cause the Russian defenses to “crumble.” Yet, as I had written months before the offensive began, the fundamentals of war demonstrated that Ukraine had virtually no chance of success. How could a former four-star general not understand those fundamentals and—even months after failure was plainly evident—still claim the Russians would collapse?

Read at The National Interest

Author

Photo of Daniel Davis

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

More on Europe

op-edRussia, Ukraine‑Russia

Seizing empty Russian oil tanker doesn’t serve America’s interests

By Jennifer Kavanagh

January 8, 2026

In the mediaGrand strategy

Daniel Davis discusses the collapse of the ‘rules-based international order’ with Times of London

Featuring Daniel Davis

January 7, 2026

In the mediaGrand strategy, Europe and Eurasia, Ukraine‑Russia

Daniel Davis critiques the ‘coalition of the willing’ in Ukraine-Russia war: LBC

Featuring Daniel Davis

January 6, 2026

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Zelensky-Trump meeting produced no winners

By Jennifer Kavanagh

December 29, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

Trump’s security promise to Ukraine may be more dangerous than it looks

By Jennifer Kavanagh

December 26, 2025

Press ReleaseAfrica, Counterterrorism

Refrain from additional strikes in Nigeria

By Jennifer Kavanagh

December 25, 2025

Events on Ukraine-Russia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2026 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved