Historian and journalist Andrew Roberts, Baron Roberts of Belgravia, is urging the United States to maintain its global focus and efforts to counter the growing cooperation and ambition of “axis of evil states.” Roberts, along with retired Gen. David Petraeus, wrote a book titled “Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine,” which examines U.S. foreign conflict involvement through successful strategic leadership. He argues that as a global superpower, the United States must remain engaged in global affairs to protect not only the rest of the world but also itself from potential threats.
The debate over U.S. involvement in Ukraine has intensified as Russia continues its invasion for the third year. Some Republicans have expressed concerns about the ongoing funding of Ukraine without a clear plan for resolution, raising fears of another “forever war” similar to those in the Middle East. The House recently passed a $60 billion funding bill for Ukraine, which has received over $113 billion in aid since 2024. Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good has called for any funding for Ukraine to be offset by spending cuts elsewhere and linked to changes in U.S. border policy.
Roberts believes that the United States, as a global superpower, can afford to support both itself and its allies in conflicts such as the one in Ukraine. He highlights the significant return on investment in supporting Ukraine against Russia, noting that the Ukrainians have achieved impressive results in countering the Russian tank fleet with a fraction of the U.S. defense budget. Roberts emphasizes the importance of protecting allies and preventing hostile nations from achieving their ambitions, which could lead to potential threats in the future if left unaddressed.
Despite advocating for continued support for Ukraine, Roberts warns against seeking regime change in Russia, citing the possible negative consequences of stoking anti-Western sentiment in the country. He urges caution in U.S. ambitions overseas and emphasizes the need to avoid actions that could provoke further aggression from Russia. Roberts acknowledges Russia’s recent gains in Ukraine’s eastern territories and underscores the importance of increased support from the West to prevent further advances by Russian forces.
Some analysts and commentators have expressed concerns about Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression, with predictions of potential defeat circulating in the media. However, Roberts remains optimistic about Ukraine’s chances of success, emphasizing that history has shown that unexpected outcomes are possible. He urges continued support for Ukraine to enable the country to continue fighting against Russian forces, highlighting the significant role that allies play in determining the outcome of conflicts.
Roberts stresses that the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine is not predetermined and warns against complacency in providing support to the Ukrainian forces. He points to historical examples where unexpected outcomes have defied predictions and highlights the importance of continued assistance from the United States and Europe to enable Ukraine to resist Russian aggression. Despite the challenges faced by Ukraine, Roberts remains hopeful that with adequate support, the country can continue to defend itself and push back against Russian forces.
