We need to discuss how Biden is handling Ukraine, not stifle the debate

[Originally published on July 12, 2022. Updated on February 23, 2023]

In a disturbing development, the United States’ lone centrist anti-war think tank, the Quincy Institute, has been experiencing some controversy recently. Two key members — Joe Cirincione, a non-resident fellow there, and retired Gen. Paul Eaton, who had been on Quincy’s board of directors — resigned from their positions, apparently over the Institute’s work on promoting diplomacy over warfare regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to Mother Jones magazine, these resignations represent a “fracturing” of Quincy, which is a vast overstatement. Still, it does reflect a debate in antiwar circles over Ukraine, as well as consistent efforts to block debate over Ukraine. As such, it’s an important topic to discuss.

Back on June 1, in The New Republic, Matt Duss, Bernie Sanders’ foreign policy adviser, contrasted the attacks on the left in September 2001 (with Christopher Hitchens being the obvious example) and the debate today. Duss’ point is that the left needs to be able to discuss U.S. policy on Russia and its invasion of Ukraine without the sort of opprobrium that was hurled at any dissenters from the rush to war in 2001.