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The Biden Administration Considers Providing Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

The Biden administration’s viewpoint on supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine has evolved in the past year. Initially expressing concerns about sending these controversial weapons due to the potential harm caused to civilians by unexploded ordnance, the administration is now considering their transfer to Ukraine. These weapons, banned by over 100 countries, are seen as potentially useful against dug-in Russian positions, but have been held back due to congressional restrictions and concerns over allied unity.

The recent shift in the administration’s stance has set the stage for President Biden’s expected approval, as senior officials have recommended the move. The State Department, however, had initially held out due to humanitarian concerns and potential alienation of allies who have banned this weapon.

The use of cluster munitions, also known as dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, is already prevalent in Ukraine, causing devastating impact. These weapons are designed to target multiple military objectives by scattering explosive “bomblets” over a wide area. However, the unexploded ordnance poses a significant risk to civilians during and long after conflicts end.

Critics argue that the Pentagon’s assertion of low dud rates is overly optimistic, and the conditions on the battlefield increase the chances of unexploded ordnance detonating following an initial attack. Officials from the Pentagon have stated that if these weapons are sent to Ukraine, they will ensure only those with low dud rates are provided, as congressional restrictions prohibit the transfer of cluster munitions with dud rates above 1 percent.

The effectiveness of cluster munitions lies in their ability to be loaded with either “shape charges” to penetrate armored vehicles or “fragmentary munitions” to disperse multiple bomblets across a wider area. This capability is deemed valuable in offensive operations.

Human Rights Watch has documented evidence of Ukraine’s use of cluster munitions resulting in numerous civilian deaths and injuries. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry, however, denies the use of cluster munitions in the city of Izium during Russian occupation.

President Biden faces a challenging task of navigating political divisions, with some Republicans strongly urging him to supply these controversial weapons, while members of his own party, like Rep. Mike Quigley and Rep. Jason Crow, express concerns about the potential risks to civilians and allied support.

Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Sara Jacobs have introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act seeking to ban the transfer of cluster munitions. On the other hand, figures like Rep. Mike McCaul and Rep. Mike Rogers, along with their Republican colleagues, argue that providing cluster munitions would enable Ukrainian forces to target more significant Russian assets, preserving their missiles. They believe this decision would pave the way for new systems, including variant 155mm artillery rounds and longer-range missiles.

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