Did the U.S. spend more money annually on its war on Afghanistan or on the war in Ukraine?
Current Event Friday
You will find more infographics at StatistaCritical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
Since the end of World War II in 1945, what American war had the highest annual average cost and which war had the lowest annual average cost?
Describe the difference in average annual U.S. spending on the War in Afghanistan versus the war in Ukraine.
If the current annual level of Ukraine funding continues how long will it take the U.S. to spend $100 billion on Ukraine?
The longest American war since WWII was the war in Afghanistan (2001 – 2021). Although the U.S. does not officially have soldiers actively involved in combat in Ukraine now, based on our war spending would it be fair to say the United States is at war in Ukraine?
President Volodymry Zelensky (cool name, by the way) was in Washington, DC this week asking the U.S. to continue supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. Zelensky has the support of President Biden (D), Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D) and Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R). Do you support continued funding of the war in Ukraine?
President Volodymyr Zelensky told the lawmakers in a private meeting that more American help was critical to his fight and to holding back further Russian advances into Europe, but several Republicans reiterated their stance that they would not agree to any new aid for Ukraine unless President Biden and Democrats bowed to their demands to tying Ukraine aid to restrictions on asylum claims at the United States’ southern border. Should President Biden support an immigration plan he does not like and that many of his Democratic supporters oppose, in order for Ukraine funding to be passed?
The chances of Congress passing an assistance package for Ukraine before the end of the year have grown bleak, after Republicans blocked the measure last week and polls showed Americans were skeptical of extending additional financial help, with a majority of Americans opposed to more aid to Ukraine in their war against Russia. Explain the connection between public opinion and policy making.
There have been over 500,000 soldiers killed in Ukraine as well as over 10,000 civilians. This week Ukraine was hit by a huge cyber attack that disabled half of the nation’s cell phones and many of the capital’s air raid sirens. How long do you think this war would last without American money?
The United States committed over $3.3 billion in foreign assistance to Israel in 2022, the most recent year for which data exists. After the October 7 attack, Biden pledged $14.3 billion in support for Israel. Do you think that American spending on Israel’s defense will help or hinder spending on Ukraine?
Isolationism fundamentally advocates neutrality and opposes entanglement in military alliances and mutual defense pacts. In its purest form, isolationism opposes all commitments to foreign countries including treaties and trade agreements. What would an American isolationist say about U.S. involvement in Ukraine and Israel?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact President Biden and let him know what you think about funding Ukraine.
Get Creative
What does a world without U.S. support for Israel or Ukraine look like? Imagine an American isolationist foreign policy. What does a daily headline look like for an isolationist U.S?
