Pentagon Sending Cluster Bombs to Ukraine Despite Depletion of NATO Munitions Stocks
"I think this shows the point at which the United States and NATO are at in terms of being able to supply Ukraine. The fact that basically Europe and the United States munitions supplies are at such a low level that this use of cluster munitions is going to go forward regardless of the controversy over it, regardless over the legality of it, the morality of it or just the sense of it."
About this episode
The host discusses the Pentagon's announcement to send cluster munitions to Ukraine with military analyst Matthew, focusing on the implications of this controversial decision. The conversation reveals that Europe and the United States have reached critically low levels of conventional munitions supplies, forcing reliance on cluster bombs despite their legal and moral controversies. Matthew explains that cluster munitions contain hundreds of submunitions with high dud rates, meaning many fail to explode and remain dangerous for decades to civilians and military forces alike. He cites the first Iraq War, where more than half of American casualties from explosive events came from U.S. cluster munitions. The timing coincides with Ukraine's poorly executed counteroffensive and an upcoming NATO meeting in Lithuania where Ukrainian membership will be discussed. Matthew argues that the decision demonstrates desperation rather than strategy, as munitions factories cannot produce sufficient conventional artillery shells. He contends that neither side possesses wonder weapons capable of decisive victory, and that continued weapons shipments only prove the futility of military solutions. The episode opens with a teaser about an upcoming interview with RFK Jr. discussing Julian Assange and what a Kennedy presidency would do on day one. Throughout the discussion, Matthew emphasizes that negotiations, not additional weapons systems like F-16s or Abrams tanks, represent the only viable path to ending the conflict.
Key takeaways
- Pentagon announced sending cluster bombs to Ukraine as U.S. and European conventional munitions stocks have reached critically low levels that cannot meet Ukrainian army needs
- Cluster munitions have high dud rates with unexploded submunitions remaining dangerous for decades to both civilians and military forces in affected areas
- More than half of American casualties from explosive events in the first Iraq War came from U.S. cluster munitions, illustrating danger to own forces
- The decision comes amid Ukraine's poorly executed counteroffensive and ahead of a NATO meeting in Lithuania discussing Ukrainian membership
- Matthew argues no wonder weapons from either side will achieve decisive victory and only negotiations can end the war
- U.S. munitions factories cannot produce sufficient 155 millimeter artillery shells to meet Ukrainian military requirements
- Upcoming interview with RFK Jr. will reveal his day-one actions regarding Julian Assange if elected president