The Blubber

Per Excellent reporting of NYT

President Biden and his team have been grappling with a challenging dilemma concerning the conflict in Ukraine for over six months. They have been deliberating whether to allow Ukrainian forces to deplete their desperately needed artillery ammunition in their fight against Russia or to provide them with cluster munitions, which are widely prohibited due to their severe harm to civilians, particularly children.

On Thursday, President Biden seemed inclined to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, a decision that would sharply differentiate him from many of his closest allies who have ratified an international treaty banning the use, stockpiling, or transfer of such weapons.

Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that several of Biden's key advisors, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, recommended this action during a recent meeting of top national security officials. Despite their own reservations, they believed it was the best course of action. Due to the sensitivity of the deliberations, these individuals requested anonymity.

The State Department had been the final holdout, driven by concerns about humanitarian implications and the risk of significant divergence from allied nations.

However, Biden's advisors now believe they have limited options. Ukraine, which has employed cluster munitions in the war, is rapidly depleting its stock of conventional artillery shells, and it will take time to increase production.

President Zelensky of Ukraine has exerted consistent pressure on Biden, asserting that cluster munitions—designed to disperse small yet lethal bomblets—are essential for eliminating entrenched Russian forces obstructing Ukraine's counteroffensive to reclaim territory. A U.S. official remarked on Thursday that the weapons are now deemed "100 percent necessary" to meet the current battlefield requirements.

Nevertheless, Biden and his team have tried to delay this decision, hoping that the situation in Ukraine would shift in their favor. Part of their concern has been the potential loss of moral authority, as employing a weapon condemned by much of the international community would appear to compromise their position, especially considering Russia's unrestrained use of such weapons.