Ukraine (thread 1), Episode 5: What Would Washington Do? Ukraine, Russia, and the Founder's Verdict

This episode opens a new Ukraine thread focused on the Founding Fathers, starting with George Washington. It explores how Washington's temperament—discipline, neutrality, fiscal caution, and avoidance of entangling alliances—would shape a modern U.S. response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The episode argues Washington would sympathize with Ukrainian resistance and support defensive aid, diplomacy, and targeted sanctions while opposing U.S. combat deployments, open-ended commitments, and unchecked borrowing; overall urging prudent, interest-based policy rather than passionate crusades.