by Bill Conrad
When it comes to national security, my top priority is safeguarding our nation’s interests, sovereignty, and citizens through a strong national defense. Key points that outline my perspective on national security are:
Overall, my position on national security seeks to balance protecting the Country’s interests and upholding our values and principles. It emphasizes strength, preparedness, and vigilance while remaining cautious about the potential implications of foreign engagements.
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): Over the past couple of weeks in late July, I did a deep dive into our involvement in the war in Ukraine. My positions aligned closely with COL Douglas Macgregor, U.S. Army (ret) USMA 76, and Major General Paul E Valley, U.S. Army (ret) USMA 61.
We have sent over 120 billion dollars in military supplies, depleting our reserve of munitions, while NATO countries have supported the war with less than 20 billion dollars. At the same time, we have a growing threat from China.
Europe has benefited from saving by not fulfilling its fair share of the financial burden for Europe’s defense, specifically Ukraine. Yet, they have provided their citizens with outstanding education, healthcare, and security, largely thanks to the sacrifices made by Americans. Europeans should avoid overly relying on American support for their protection and security. This perception has led me to view NATO as geopolitical and defense freeloaders.
As someone who has served as a Civil Affairs Officer and Human Terrain Team Leader, I always look at the regional and historical issues a country faces. Ukraine’s history is intricate, and a combination of geopolitical, historical, and ethnic factors influences the situation in the region. It is challenging to understand the nuances of the conflict entirely, and intervening without a complete grasp of the situation could have unintended consequences that could lead us into a world war. Ukraine should not join NATO. Instead, it should act as a buffer state between NATO and Russia. Additionally, the U.S. and NATO should collaborate to facilitate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. This conflict must be resolved as soon as possible.
Bill Conrad, LTC USA (ret)
Candidate for U.S. Senate