Morning Jolt: Biden’s Baffling MiG-29 Reversal

On the menu today: This week, in the span of 24 hours, the Biden administration's position flipped from supporting a transfer of Polish MiG-29 fighter jets to the Ukrainians to opposing and blocking the move. The only explanation from the Pentagon is that there isn't a "substantive rationale for it," which will surprise the Polish and the Ukrainians. There are a few potential explanations for the administration's sudden reversal — but none of them are good.

Why Did Biden Veto Sending Poland's MiG-29 Jets to the Ukrainians?

Very little makes sense about the U.S. government's seemingly last-minute decision to oppose the transfer of Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine.

On Saturday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via Zoom to 280 members of Congress and begged them to help him, either by creating and enforcing a no-fly zone above Ukrainian airspace, or by transferring jets to what's left of the Ukrainian air force. Because the Ukrainian pilots are trained on Russian-designed MiGs, it would not be a good idea to send or lend them American jets such as F-15s or F-22s — there simply isn't time to train them on a new kind of ...

WITH JIM GERAGHTY March 10 2022 WITH JIM GERAGHTY March 10 2022 Biden's Baffling MiG-29 Reversal On the menu today: This week, in the span of 24 hours, the Biden administration's position flipped from supporting a transfer of Polish MiG-29 fighter jets to the Ukrainians to opposing and blocking the move. The only explanation from the Pentagon is that there isn't a "substantive rationale for it," which will surprise the Polish and the Ukrainians. There are a few potential explanations for the administration's sudden reversal — but none of them are good. Why Did Biden Veto Sending Poland's MiG-29 Jets to the Ukrainians? Very little makes sense about the U.S. government's seemingly last-minute decision to oppose the transfer of Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine. On Saturday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via Zoom to 280 members of Congress and begged them to help him, either by creating and enforcing a no-fly zone above Ukrainian airspace, or by transferring jets to what's left of the Ukrainian air force. Because the Ukrainian pilots are trained on Russian-designed MiGs, it would not be a good idea to send or lend them American jets such as F-15s or F-22s — there simply isn't time to train them on a new kind of ...   READ MORE

ADVERTISEMENT Trending on National Review 1. The Trans Movement Is Failing Where the Gay-Rights Movement Succeeded 2. Collateral Damage from the Economic Bomb 3. Say No to a No-Fly Zone Top Stories Jimmy Quinn U.S. and Japan Likely to Defend Taiwan in Event of Chinese Attack: Trump Adviser Former senior Trump official Robert O'Brien told GOP lawmakers that Japan and the U.S. are likely to come to ... Jordan McGillis The Problem of Economic Dependence Glaring as Germany's shortsightedness about Russia now appears, the U.S. is stumbling into an analogous trap with ... NEWS Dems Cave on Covid-Relief Funding, Pass $1.5 Trillion Spending Bill Without Additional... The bill includes approximately $14 billion for humanitarian, security, and economic support for Ukraine and other ... Brian T. Allen A Tale of Two House Museums in Paris The Gustave Moreau Museum is a feast of eccentricity; the Nissim de Camondo needs to work on visitor ... NEWS Inflation Soars to Four-Decade High The CPI increased 7.9 percent over the 12-month period ending in February. ADVERTISEMENT PODCASTS Episode 57: The Second to Plead... Episode 214: 'A Blob of Orwellian... PHOTOS Russia-Ukraine Conflict MiG-29 VIDEO Psaki Suggests 'Horrific'... Biden Set to Ban Russian... NRPLUS ARTICLES A Tale of Two House Museums in... How Indiana Republicans Squandered... ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Follow Us & Share 19 West 44th Street, Suite 1701, New York, NY, 10036, USA Your Preferences | Unsubscribe | Privacy View this e-mail in your browser.