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The Controversial Decision to Send Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

President Biden‘s Decision and the Justification

The decision by President Joe Biden to send cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million has sparked significant controversy. President Biden defended the move as urgently needed, stating that Ukraine is running out of ammunition and is at risk of losing territory to Russian forces. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his appreciation for the additional assistance, emphasizing that it will help Ukrainian troops move faster, save lives, and stand their ground for a longer time.

However, the decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is not without concern. Human rights groups have long criticized the use of cluster munitions due to the danger they pose to civilians. Many countries, including over 100 that signed the “Convention on Cluster Munitions” in 2008, have banned them. These weapons scatter unguided submunitions, or bomblets, over a large area. Depending on the type used, dozens to 600 bomblets may be released at a time, posing a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance.

The Dangers of Cluster Munitions

Richard Weir, a senior researcher in the Crisis and Conflict Division at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the extreme danger posed by cluster munitions. The submunitions can be designed to penetrate armor or concrete, or to unleash fragments against troops. They are indiscriminately spread out over an area, and some fail to explode upon impact, posing a threat to civilians long after a conflict is over. These weapons have a failure rate, or “dud rate,” which is a cause for concern.

The United States plans to send their most modern dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs) to Ukraine, which have a lower failure rate than traditional cluster munitions. The Pentagon claims that the DPICMs being sent to Ukraine have a dud rate of 2.35% or less, while the failure rate of the cluster munitions used by Russia against Ukraine is estimated to be between 30 to 40%. Nevertheless, experts in the arms control field argue that the failure rate of these munitions under actual wartime conditions may be higher than reported.

The International Response and Controversy

The use of cluster munitions is highly controversial, as they can cause severe civilian harm. Governments that signed the “Convention on Cluster Munitions” committed to never using, producing, or stockpiling such weapons. However, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States did not sign the treaty. Human rights organizations have called for an end to the use of cluster munitions by both Russia and Ukraine due to the risk they pose to civilians.

Officials claim that Ukraine has given assurances to minimize the risk to civilians, pledging not to use the weapons in urban areas. They also commit to post-conflict demining efforts to mitigate the threat posed by undetonated munitions. However, concerns remain about the potential harm to civilians in regions where fighting occurs.

Editorial: Balancing Defensive Capabilities and Humanitarian Concerns

The decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine raises important ethical and strategic considerations. On one hand, there is a pressing need to provide Ukraine with the necessary tools to defend itself against Russian aggression. The conflict has already resulted in significant civilian casualties, and ensuring Ukraine’s ability to resist further advances by Russian forces is a legitimate concern.

However, the use of cluster munitions carries inherent risks, particularly for civilians. The indiscriminate nature of these weapons, their potential failure rate, and the long-lasting threat they pose raise serious humanitarian concerns. It is crucial that any use of these weapons is strictly regulated and monitored to minimize harm to civilians.

Advice for the Biden Administration

The Biden administration should prioritize finding a balance between providing essential military support to Ukraine and upholding international humanitarian standards. While the urgent need for defense capabilities is understood, the use of cluster munitions should be strictly limited to specific situations where their benefits clearly outweigh the risks to civilian populations.

To minimize harm, President Biden and his administration should invest in diplomacy and work towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, prioritizing negotiation over military approaches. Additionally, efforts should be made to promote international dialogue on the use of cluster munitions and push for adherence to the “Convention on Cluster Munitions” by all countries involved in conflicts.

Conclusion

The decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is a complex and controversial one. It raises concerns about the potential harm to civilians while addressing the urgent need for defensive capabilities. Balancing these considerations requires careful regulation and monitoring to minimize harm and prioritize the protection of civilian lives. The Biden administration should continue engaging in diplomacy and pursuing peaceful solutions to the conflict, while advocating for the reduction and eventual elimination of cluster munitions in international warfare.