To the editor:

Like the Cold War of old, Russia is again up to no good. Not only do they persist in cyber-hacking shenanigans but now they are raising the stakes with regard to Ukraine with thousands of troops on their joint border.

With Vladimir Putin at the helm (with or without a shirt on) things are not going down a productive path. Added is the possibility that Ukraine will join NATO, a worrisome prospect in the Kremlin. President Joe Biden has stated NATO membership is not in the cards (for now) for Ukraine as is sending U.S. troops to the region. Note: if Ukraine joins NATO, it will be covered by Article V, which stipulates an attack on any NATO member is an attack on the alliance itself. It has only been invoked once — after the 9/11 attacks when NATO aircraft operated in U.S. airspace.

I know the Pentagon is aware of these concerns regarding NATO’s possible expansion — but how will this play in Peoria (or Lawrence)? Americans should pay attention because it will be their sons and daughters who could be called up to defend Ukraine and NATO, bringing us full circle to the days of the Cold War’s darkest scenarios. And there is an increasingly robust and muscular China and its One China policy with regard to Taiwan. After ending 20 years of war in Afghanistan Americans would be correct in thinking we are done with conflict for now. Let’s hope so.

David Teska,

Lawrence