Middle East Media: US Strategy: Consume Moscow in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict and Tame Europe
In his book "The Tragedy of Great Power Politics," John Mearsheimer pointed out that great powers in the international system essentially pursue regional hegemony and constantly try to weaken their rivals while avoiding direct confrontation. In his view, the international system is based on structural anarchy, so a country's survival depends on its ability to contain its rivals before they become a threat.
Under the absence of a central authority to maintain order, the logic of realpolitik becomes the rule of strength: those who do not attack will be attacked. Based on this premise, Mearsheimer developed one of the most sinister concepts in modern geopolitical thought: the strategy of "pushing rivals into conflict and letting them consume each other."
This strategy is based on a simple yet efficient principle: countries do not directly start wars but instead seek to provoke conflicts between two or more hostile forces, causing all sides to consume themselves militarily, economically, and politically. Meanwhile, the country remains in an observer role, preserving its resources and power, and benefiting from the new power balance formed without participating in the fighting.
Mearsheimer distinguishes this strategy from a "war of attrition." A war of attrition aims to prolong an existing war rather than instigate it and to prevent either side from achieving a decisive victory. Therefore, these strategies represent the most "shrewd" forms of indirect warfare because the battle is not fought with weapons, but with long-term plans and manipulation of the balance of power.
On the other hand, prolonging the conflict not only consumes Russia's strength but also fits the American plan to trap Europe in the war quagmire. From this perspective, Washington can achieve two goals at once: on one hand, gradually weakening Moscow, and on the other, economically and politically restraining Europe, making it dependent on America's security umbrella, thus preventing it from formulating independent defense policies.
As Moscow continues to fight, Europe is forced to constantly rearm Ukraine while also dealing with new threats from Russia, meaning Europe will expend significant industrial and financial resources. Therefore, from Washington's point of view, this war has become a dual tool to weaken Russia's opponent and control the "European partners" within the Atlantic system.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), over the past five years, European NATO countries have received more than 150 fighter jets and over 60 attack helicopters from the United States. In addition, as of the end of 2024, they have ordered approximately 472 fighter jets and 150 attack helicopters from U.S. companies.
These data clearly reflect Europe's growing dependence on Washington in defense, especially in advanced air forces, which are the cornerstone of NATO's offensive and defensive capabilities. Moreover, the maintenance requirements of this air force have made Europe more dependent on American logistical and technological infrastructure, further strengthening America's influence in the European military system.
Additionally, data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy show that by 2025, Europe will become the main military funder of Ukraine. As of June, defense aid provided through production and weapon contracts reached about 35.1 billion euros, surpassing the United States, which provides less direct assistance.
Germany, Norway, and Belgium have made significant contributions, while the UK has increased its overall military spending to about 13 billion pounds, including 4.5 billion pounds in 2025 for supplying drones, radars, and critical spare parts.
Thus, Washington can achieve its goals with minimal direct cost, as the attrition war strategy against Moscow is carried out through European proxies, while American defense companies benefit from weapons, maintenance, and modernization contracts. The Institute for Strategic and International Studies confirmed this, stating that Washington's support for Kyiv represents a historic opportunity to revitalize the American defense industry, as American arms companies clearly see unprecedented opportunities in this situation to maximize profits and expand their global influence.
Reportedly, due to the surge in weapon demand caused by the Ukraine war, companies such as Lockheed Martin and RTX have achieved record profits. These demands include large contracts for producing F-35 fighters and missile defense systems for multiple allies, as these countries hope to build up substantial strategic reserves to address any potential security crisis.
In conclusion, the Ukraine war reveals a fundamental change in the nature of modern conflicts: conflicts no longer aim for quick victories, but instead maintain the balance of power through systematic wars of attrition. Russia is steadily retreating on the battlefield, while Europe is suffering economic and political consumption within the NATO framework, and at the same time, Washington is rebuilding its defense industry and consolidating its leadership position in the Western alliance.
Source: Al Jazeera + Electronic Website
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1850119815814156/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author himself.