Clustered Escalation

Cluster munitions - let's have a look at the arguments.

What's the objection to cluster munitions when we're giving Ukraine larger and larger sticks to beat back the Russian invaders? A missile, which we give Ukraine, is not exactly a feather duster to tickle the Russians with.

The usual objection is that they aren't too good for civilians, but there shouldn't be any Russian civilians on Ukrainian territory, which is where the munitions would be limited to. They're targeted at troops, and troops are fair game, especially as Ukraine is a sovereign nation defending itself against brutal aggression - the Ukrainians can use what they want on their own territory. 

It's not as if the Russians, who are not signed up to the ban, aren't using them. Ukraine is engaged in an existential conflict where it's the much smaller and weaker participant. It seems ridiculous to tie one hand behind the Ukrainians' backs at a time when they're short of all munitions. Militarily they're a pragmatic necessity, the use of which supersedes all other considerations.

If we look at it politically, Ukraine using cluster munitions will not escalate the situation to where Russia uses them - Russia already is using them.

The only civilian danger of Ukraine using cluster munitions would be to Ukrainian civilians going back into land that's retaken, but given the Russians have used mines extensively, the areas are going to have to be gone over with a fine-tooth comb anyway. In any case, it's up to Ukraine as to whether it wants to put its own civilians in some future danger in preference to an immediate danger from Russia. In any case, the Ukrainians, mindful of their own people, will log where they're used.

It's OK to say; "We'll fight like gentlemen," when both parties play by the same protocol, but not when one party engages in rape, summary execution and mutilation.

The question is not whether Ukraine should use cluster munitions (they clearly have no option), but whether the USA is justified in giving Ukraine cluster munitions and whether Ukraine's use of them would erode the West's support for Ukraine?

Ethic cannot override every other consideration in war - else you simply wouldn't go to war, even to defend yourself. The more a situation becomes existential, the more ethics and morality take a back seat when seeking to survive.