Podcast Summary: "Putin Makes His Move"
The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Release Date: February 23, 2022

Introduction

In the episode titled "Putin Makes His Move" of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson engages in a compelling discussion with Senator Ted Cruz and contributor Michael Knowles. The conversation centers on the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, President Joe Biden's administration policies, particularly regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline sanctions, and the broader implications for American national security and global stability.

1. Russia's Escalation in Ukraine

a. Authorization and Invasion

The episode delves into the recent developments where Russian lawmakers granted President Vladimir Putin the authority to use military force in Ukraine. This move has led to Putin ordering troops to annex breakaway regions in Ukraine, challenging Ukraine's sovereignty.

Michael Knowles [00:00]: "Russian lawmakers have given Vladimir Putin the right to use military force in Ukraine... throwing into question the very sovereignty of Ukraine."

b. Putin’s Justifications and Historical Claims

Senator Cruz analyzes Putin’s motives, highlighting his desire to reassemble the Soviet Union and his dissatisfaction with the current state of Russia as a "petrol state." Cruz emphasizes Putin's strategic use of historical revisionism to justify his aggressive actions.

Ted Cruz [12:35]: "He wants to reassemble the Soviet Union, to reassemble the Russian Empire. He longs for glory, he longs for power... It is a justification for invading Ukraine, but not just Ukraine. It's a justification for invading much of Eastern Europe."

2. President Biden’s Administration and Nord Stream 2 Sanctions

a. Biden’s Perceived Weakness

The discussion critiques President Biden's approach, labeling his responses to Russian aggression as weak and ineffective. Cruz attributes the rise in Russian aggression partly to Biden's waiver of sanctions on Nord Stream 2, which he spearheaded.

Ted Cruz [04:41]: "Biden's weakness, overall weakness was a major factor... Biden's waiver of sanctions on Nord Stream 2 is what facilitated this invasion."

b. The Importance of Nord Stream 2

Nord Stream 2 is critical as it allows Russia to export natural gas without routing through Ukraine, reducing Ukraine's strategic importance and vulnerability. The waiver of sanctions, according to Cruz, emboldened Putin to proceed with his plans.

Ted Cruz [04:41]: "Russia's main export is natural gas and oil. If they invade Ukraine, they risk destroying or damaging that infrastructure. That's why they wanna build Nord Stream 2 to go around Ukraine."

3. Historical Context and Comparison with Previous Administrations

a. Contrast with Trump’s Tenure

Cruz contrasts Biden’s approach with that of former President Donald Trump, who, despite criticisms, did not witness significant Russian territorial expansions during his administration. He underscores Trump’s sanctions on Nord Stream 2 as a deterrent that ceased Russian pipeline construction until Biden reversed the stance.

Michael Knowles [08:48]: "Trump is now the only president among the last four presidents on whose watch Vladimir Putin has not invaded a sovereign country."

b. Reagan’s Cold War Strategy

Cruz draws parallels between Reagan’s clear stance against the Soviet Union and Biden’s ambiguous policies, advocating for unequivocal measures to counter Russian aggression.

Ted Cruz [12:35]: "Reagan had the absolute effrontery to say the goal's very simple. We win, they lose... Reagan invested in SDI... The Soviet Union broke up because they couldn't keep up."

4. Potential Outcomes and Recommendations

a. Immediate Actions for Biden

Cruz recommends that President Biden should immediately revoke his waiver of sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and support legislation to prevent future waivers. This, he argues, would demonstrate strength and deter further Russian aggression.

Ted Cruz [28:02]: "Biden should immediately rescind his waiver of the Nord Stream 2 sanctions... Congress should pass legislation that takes away Joe Biden's ability to waive these sanctions."

b. Congressional Measures and Bipartisan Support

Cruz highlights the bipartisan support for such measures, noting that several Democratic senators from vulnerable states have expressed agreement with his stance, indicating a potential for cross-party collaboration despite current partisan divides.

Ted Cruz [34:51]: "Net Stream 2 sanctions bill... You had Mark Kelly in Arizona voted with me... All four Democrats in vulnerable states voted with me and against waiving sanctions on Russia."

c. Long-term Strategic Implications

Senator Cruz warns of the broader implications for NATO and American national security, suggesting that Putin's ambitions could extend beyond Ukraine to other Eastern European nations if not checked.

Ted Cruz [16:00]: "Putin wants to break up NATO... He wants to end missile defense... This is a major objective here is breaking up NATO."

5. Additional Insights: Cryptocurrency Discussion

Towards the episode's conclusion, Liz Wheeler introduces a segment on the rising debates surrounding government-controlled cryptocurrencies, drawing parallels to the current geopolitical tensions and economic vulnerabilities exacerbated by actions like the Nord Stream 2 waiver.

Liz Wheeler [37:14]: "We're going to dive into some of the details of this story and how that could very easily happen here in the United States and how to prevent that."

Conclusion

The episode "Putin Makes His Move" provides a thorough analysis of the current geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Ukraine, critiquing President Biden's policies and advocating for stronger, more decisive actions to counteract Russian aggression. Senator Ted Cruz emphasizes the necessity of revoking Nord Stream 2 sanctions waivers and consolidating bipartisan support to safeguard American national security interests. The discussion underscores the importance of historical context, strategic policy decisions, and the imperative of maintaining robust alliances like NATO to deter further aggression from Russia.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the podcast's broader content for more in-depth discussions on these critical issues shaping modern America and global politics.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michael Knowles [00:00]: "Russian lawmakers have given Vladimir Putin the right to use military force in Ukraine... throwing into question the very sovereignty of Ukraine."

• Ted Cruz [04:41]: "Biden's weakness, overall weakness was a major factor... Biden's waiver of sanctions on Nord Stream 2 is what facilitated this invasion."

• Ted Cruz [12:35]: "He wants to reassemble the Soviet Union, to reassemble the Russian Empire... It is a justification for invading Ukraine, but not just Ukraine."

• Ted Cruz [28:02]: "Biden should immediately rescind his waiver of the Nord Stream 2 sanctions... Congress should pass legislation that takes away Joe Biden's ability to waive these sanctions."

• Ted Cruz [34:51]: "All four Democrats in vulnerable states voted with me and against waiving sanctions on Russia."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a critical examination of the geopolitical strategies employed by global leaders and their profound impacts on international relations and national security. By dissecting President Biden's policies and their ramifications, The 47 Morning Update equips listeners with actionable insights and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding Russia's maneuvers in Ukraine.