Russia’s war against Ukraine has proven to be a regional problem and a global one. Shortages in food supplies worldwide prompted America to impose sanctions to address the current economic insecurity. American citizens who have suffered the loss of homes and assets due to the war seek financial compensation from the Russian government. Thus, the American government is creating a national security policy that designates Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, especially considering the atrocious acts perpetrated on Ukrainian soil. Nonetheless, despite the move gaining traction within the populous, it stands to cause more harm than good. America currently faces economic insecurity due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and it seeks to designate the former as a state sponsor of terrorism to help offset the country’s economic burden.
One solution to ensure America’s economic security is creating a policy that designates Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Alternatively, the country could abandon this approach and impose more economic sanctions on Russia. Policy-making involves inter-governmental cooperation, collaboration, and commitment in the three branches of government. The Legislative branch of government makes local laws through the power of city and county council members (“Branches of the U.S. Government”). To qualify Russia’s actions as extra-judicial – killings that are not legally authorized – requires the collective input of lawmakers. The judiciary is responsible for applying these rules in specific court cases (“Branches of the U.S. Government”). Compensation to American citizens would involve using frozen Russian assets in the United States to pay them. Applying laws to distinguish Russia as a terrorism sponsor is the sole responsibility of the judiciary. Finally, the executive sector enforces the rules made by the legislative branch (“Branches of the U.S. Government”). Ensuring that Russian assets are utilized toward a gainful end for Ukrainian immigrants’ and affected American citizens rests on executive branch members like the president.
America utilizes three levels of government; federal, state, and local. The federal government is solely responsible for matters at the national level and influences aspects such as currency, funding, and healthcare. It falls under their purview to control the economic crisis and try to find solutions or create policies that generate wealth. The federal government ensures the nation is economically secure by utilizing frozen Russian assets. Social programs and every duty not explicitly stated as federal are handled at the state level. The state remains crucial in distributing funds and is vital in financing infrastructure (“State and Local Government”). The utilization and distribution of frozen assets, especially in American residential areas, would help stabilize the state.
Lastly, the local government’s roles, largely compounded with state responsibilities, primarily focus on matters near people’s homes. These aspects include local roads, libraries, and community services such as garbage collection (“State and Local Government”). Crucially, the local government helps in collecting people’s views and perspectives. Understanding the economic turmoil of the war and its significant impact on people’s livelihoods is best represented at the local level.
Russia’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is the right approach to economic freedom by utilizing frozen Russian assets within the country. The move opens the potential for lawsuits against the nation to be levied by American citizens. It maintains firmly on the nation accepting responsibility for actions Ukrainians deem as extra-judicial killings (Wuerth). In addition, the designation allows a small group of plaintiffs and lawyers to question the Russian Federation’s acts in killing innocent civilians in the Ukraine war and previous incidences such as Georgia, Syria, and Chechnya (Wuerth). These acts span two decades and specify factions to address, such as torturous acts, taking hostages, and sabotaging schools and hospitals. Actions against civilians are the driving force behind the policy creation and would see Russia added to the list of countries such as Libya, Iraq, and Sudan (Wuerth). Using the frozen assets as a bargaining chip helps America gain faith and strength at the negotiation table.
However, critics assert that the move sets a new precedent that is dangerous and ineffective. Ingrid Wuerth insists that the designation is unnecessary since Russia already suffers from heavy economic sanctions. Critics further believe the frozen assets are a broader approach to peace in the region and instead maintain the efficacy of existing sanctions. However, the war lasted for five months, clearly reflecting Russia’s wealth and vastness of resources. The country’s ability to bombard civilian sites continuously and supply troops to execute the directives of the Kremlin is indicative of a nation able to sustain itself despite the sanctions. Furthermore, American victims of Russian violence will receive no compensation directly from Russia despite any formal policy or legal proceedings. Therefore, the sound approach is to utilize the frozen assets already within the country to help stabilize the economic insecurity.
In conclusion, America currently faces an economic security problem due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Creating a policy that designates Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism opens channels for lawmakers and plaintiffs to sue the nation for the damages caused to American citizens in Ukraine. By utilizing the frozen assets within the country, federal, state, and local governments will compensate the affected parties and regain financial stability. Whereas critics maintain that the previous sanctions are enough, they are incapable of compensating Americans who have suffered due to the war.
Works Cited
“Branches of the U.S. Government.” USAGov, 2022.
“State and Local Government.” The White House, The United States Government, 2022.
Wuerth, Ingrid. “Russia Should Not Be Designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism.” Just Security, 2022.