Originally Posted by
davidbfpo
Outlaw09,
I do not understand US politics within 'The Beltway' enough to even hazard a guess why President Obama and others cause you to ask such questions.
After a few moments thought recent history and strategic shifts since the end of the Cold War help to explain the personal factors involved.
The USA has gradually withdrawn from continuous engagement with Western Europe (a broad term) and has drawn down its military deployments. There has been an expectation, even after Bosnia, that Europe would remain at peace even if conflicts persisted. Now whether the Ukraine and Russia are considered to be within Europe is a moot point.
Instead the USA has been engaged heavily in the Middle East, mainly Iraq & Iran, and South Asia, mainly Afghanistan. It's energy and attention has been there. Not to overlook the complexities of countering Jihadists and the potential for an attack within the USA.
Then there is the strategic shift to the Pacific.
Above all thinking, let alone planning for a conventional war in distant Ukraine, is simply too difficult and against Russia - an 'old enemy'.