Why Ukraine’s Future Hinges on NATO Membership

Once the dust settles from the Ukraine war, experts like William B. Taylor from The New York Times suggest that Kyiv should join NATO. Back in 2008, the U. S. tried to get Ukraine into NATO, but Germany and France blocked the effort. They thought they could control Russian actions by being friendly with Moscow, but that plan backfired. NATO’s hesitation to welcome Ukraine might have given Russian President Vladimir Putin the confidence to invade. Now, the lessons from 2008 are clear: NATO membership is essential to stop Russian aggression. The U. S. needs to actively push for Ukraine’s entry at the next NATO summit. Only then will Europe be truly secure and free. Meanwhile, Peter Juul from the Hill argues that while the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine is great, it’s holding back too much on how Kyiv uses U. S. weapons. This caution, Juul says, might not provoke a big response from Putin and could actually help Ukrainian forces and civilians. In other news, removing rent control in Argentina has sparked a rental boom in Buenos Aires. Landlords are eager to put their properties back on the market, and renters are getting better deals. This policy change, championed by Javier Milei, has shown how rent control can hurt the housing market. Back in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing heat for his poor decisions. His approval rating is at an all-time low due to cronyism and incompetence. He wants to give teachers a big raise and hire more, even though school enrollment is dropping. He also cut a crime-fighting tool and is dealing with a massive budget deficit. Lastly, Vice President Kamala Harris is struggling with her public image. Despite efforts to boost her, her responses to questions are often scripted and lack substance. The real issue is the policies she and President Biden support, which voters often reject.