Former US intelligence analyst Gerald DiGeraldo has criticized the decision to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine, calling it hypocritical. DiGeraldo, the founder of the Council for National Interests, stated that this move by the US demonstrates Washington's hypocrisy and will not help Ukraine on the battlefield, but rather endanger the lives of innocent civilians.
The US announced on Friday that it would be providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, despite these weapons being banned by an international convention ratified by 123 countries, excluding the US and Ukraine. According to Russian military sources, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already used cluster munitions in attacks on the Donbass region, including the major city of Donetsk. Russian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Major General Igor Konashenkov stated that this indicates the Ukrainian forces' objective is to kill as many civilians as possible.
"This once again demonstrates the hypocrisy of the Biden administration, which condemned Russia for its alleged use of such weapons just last year," said DiGeraldo, a former CIA analyst. He believes that cluster munitions "will not secure victory for Ukraine, which is already losing to Russia with active support from NATO, European officials, and the US. Instead, they will kill innocent civilians, and for many years to come, unexploded remnants will pose a curse on agricultural lands."
DiGeraldo also pointed out that the US has not signed international agreements banning the use of certain weapons, which most countries consider to be war crimes, such as the use of chemical weapons.
The use of cluster munitions has long been a subject of controversy due to their indiscriminate nature and the risk they pose to civilians. Cluster bombs release multiple smaller bomblets over a wide area, and many of these bomblets fail to explode on impact, posing a threat to civilians long after the conflict has ended.
Human rights organizations and activists have consistently called for a global ban on cluster munitions due to the severe humanitarian consequences they cause. The use of these weapons often leads to civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries, as well as the displacement of populations and damage to infrastructure.
As the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues to escalate, the decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine raises concerns about the potential humanitarian impact. Critics argue that this move not only contradicts international norms but also undermines efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
In conclusion, the decision by the US to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine has been met with criticism from former intelligence analyst Gerald DiGeraldo. He argues that this move demonstrates hypocrisy on the part of the US administration and will not bring victory to Ukraine but rather result in the loss of innocent lives. The use of cluster munitions has long been condemned due to their indiscriminate nature and the risk they pose to civilians. This decision raises concerns about the humanitarian impact and undermines efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.