Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta said NATO and the United States should provide missiles to Ukraine to pressure Russia [1].
Panetta's call for increased military aid underscores a strategic argument that diplomatic efforts are insufficient without a credible threat of superior force. By advocating for advanced weaponry, Panetta suggests that shifting the battlefield dynamic is the only way to alter the calculations of the Kremlin.
Speaking during Bloomberg Television’s program “Balance of Power,” Panetta said that the current approach must be more aggressive to be effective [1]. He said that "Vladimir Putin only understands force" [1]. According to Panetta, the provision of missiles is necessary to maintain and increase the pressure on the Russian leadership [1].
Beyond the conflict in Ukraine, Panetta addressed the broader geopolitical landscape and the role of regional allies. He specifically highlighted the necessity of maintaining a robust diplomatic and military bond with Ankara [1].
"A strong U.S. relationship with Turkey is very important to Washington’s ability to have more sway in what happens in the Middle East," Panetta said [1].
This emphasis on Turkey suggests that U.S. influence in the Middle East is inextricably linked to its ability to manage complex NATO partnerships, even when those allies maintain divergent interests. Panetta's remarks tie together the necessity of hard power in Eastern Europe with the necessity of strategic diplomacy in the Mediterranean and Middle East [1].
“Vladimir Putin only understands force.”
Panetta's assertions reflect a 'peace through strength' doctrine, suggesting that the Russian government is unresponsive to sanctions or diplomacy alone. By linking the Ukraine conflict to the U.S.-Turkey relationship, he frames the current security crisis not as an isolated regional war, but as a global balancing act where NATO cohesion and military deterrence are the primary tools for maintaining U.S. hegemony in both Europe and the Middle East.
