The foreign policy decisions of the current Biden administration have raised concerns about deteriorating global stability, as unresolved conflicts and escalating tensions persist in a number of crucial global regions.
In light of recent global events, a neutral evaluation of the geopolitical positions of Joe Biden and Donald Trump reveals significant differences in their approaches to foreign policy. Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, emphasized an assertive American-centered agenda, whereas the current administration under Joe Biden, the 46th President, has been criticized for what critics describe as failing diplomacy, resulting in international chaos.
You can also read: Trump’s Words on Soleimani and Israel: A Political Tightrope
The global geopolitical landscape appeared relatively stable during Trump’s presidency. The Trump administration demonstrated a willingness to engage with adversaries, thereby stimulating established diplomatic norms. In contrast, the foreign policy decisions of the current Biden administration have raised concerns about deteriorating global stability, as unresolved conflicts and escalating tensions persist in a number of crucial global regions. A closer examination of their divergent approaches to managing crucial international issues, such as the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, and Palestine, reveals a story of competing priorities, resulting in varying degrees of global stability and unrest.
Palestine
In recent years, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has escalated once more, with devastating results for the Palestinian people. Concerns have been expressed about the Biden administration’s commitment to human rights and its foreign policy priorities in light of its alignment with Israel. Despite increasing calls for a ceasefire, the Biden administration has continued to provide unwavering support for Israel, prompting many to doubt its commitment to upholding international law and protecting the Palestinian people’s rights.
According to recent media reports citing the Gaza Ministry of Health, the number of persons killed in Gaza since October 7 has risen to 5,087, as reported by the United Nations. More than 62 percent of the fatalities have been women and children, while over 15,273 people have been injured.
During the recent conflict in Gaza, President Joe Biden has emphasized his support for Israel’s military campaign, despite the growing number of Palestinian casualties. In his initial response to Hamas’s attack on Israel, President Biden made his position clear:
“The United States has Israel’s back,” he said.
“To anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don’t,” he reiterated.
His decision to visit Israel and support its military efforts without immediately calling for an armistice has prompted criticism and highlighted the administration’s emphasis on political posturing over humanitarian concerns. The Biden administration’s lack of an explicit demand for a ceasefire has raised questions about its commitment to “human rights”, peace, and stability in the region.
Ukraine
The response of the United States and its allies to the conflict in Ukraine has escalated the war between Ukraine and Russia during the Biden administration. Biden’s support for Ukraine’s potential NATO membership escalated hostilities and geopolitical friction, aggravating conflict dynamics and fueling Moscow’s concerns about Western encroachment.
A significant majority of Americans, according to a Harris Poll conducted by the Harvard Center for American Political Studies in 2022, agreed that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if Donald Trump had remained in office. The survey revealed that 62 percent of respondents believed Putin’s invasion would have been less probable if Trump had been president, indicating a possible underestimation of the broader implications of the Trump-Russia relationship.
Trump, on the other hand, sought to strengthen relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin through diplomatic discussions and meetings, aiming for a more cooperative relationship. However, the lack of emphasis on diplomatic solutions and the absence of concerted efforts to revitalize the implementation of the Minsk agreements perpetuated a sense of impasse and hampered the likelihood of a peaceful resolution.
Moreover, the underestimation of Russia’s determination and military endurance by the Biden administration, as exemplified by the failure to make strategic adjustments in response to Russia’s sustained engagement, has prolonged the conflict and resulted in significant casualties. As of August 2023, nearly 500,000 Russian and Ukrainian military personnel have been killed in the conflict, highlighting the human cost of the protracted conflict.
The failure to acknowledge the potential repercussions of Russia’s nuclear threats and the raised threshold for the use of nuclear weapons has created a climate of increased insecurity and instability. Russia’s explicit warnings regarding the potential use of nuclear weapons in response to Western intervention highlight the risks associated with further escalation, which could have repercussions for global security and stability. The failure of the Biden administration to effectively address these issues has perpetuated a hazardous cycle of confrontation and increased the likelihood of a catastrophic conflict in the region.
Iraq
The United States continued its endeavors to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in Iraq during the Trump administration. Although there were notable successes in reducing the territory controlled by ISIS, the conflict resulted in a substantial number of military and civilian casualties. Despite a decrease in overall violence compared to previous years, the Iraq Body Count project estimated more than 3,000 civilian casualties in Iraq in 2020. Although Trump had proclaimed that he would withdraw troops from the locations, he maintained support by delaying the withdrawal.
Under the administration of Vice President Joe Biden, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq led to an increase in extremist activity and regional instability. The void left by the withdrawal contributed to an increase in terrorist attacks and political unrest, resulting in more civilian deaths.
Afghanistan
The United States pursued a peace agreement with the Taliban during the Trump administration, resulting in the signing of the Doha Agreement in 2020. It was hoped that the agreement would pave the way for intra-Afghan peace negotiations by facilitating the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
As a result of the sudden completion of the U.S. troop withdrawal under the administration of Vice President Joe Biden, the security situation in Afghanistan rapidly deteriorated, with the Taliban seizing control of several important provinces. This decision demonstrated a lack of foresight and planning, leaving approximately two hundred thousand Afghans vulnerable to imminent Taliban retaliation. The Taliban’s increased territorial gains caused a significant increase in violence and civilian casualties. Over 8,000 civilians were killed or injured in Afghanistan in 2021, according to the United Nations, illustrating the devastating impact of the conflict on the Afghan population.
North Korea
Under the Trump administration, the relationship with North Korea was characterized by a number of high-profile diplomatic engagements, including the historic summits between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. These meetings, in particular, the first summit held in Singapore in June 2018 and the second summit held in Hanoi in February 2019, were regarded as pioneering initiatives toward denuclearization and the reduction of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Trump’s strategy of direct engagement with Kim Jong-un was unprecedented, with the goal of obtaining a lasting peace settlement and denuclearization accord.
The escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula has reintroduced North Korea as a possible foreign policy obstacle for the Biden administration. The detention of a US soldier who crossed the boundary in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) has exacerbated this situation, posing a potential crisis that the Biden administration has sought to avoid. The incident coincided with the approach of the USS Kentucky, a nuclear missile submarine, in the South Korean port of Busan, thereby escalating tensions visibly.
Since taking office, President Biden has chosen not to continue Trump’s diplomatic approach, concentrating instead on strengthening US-South Korea alliances as part of a larger strategy to counter Chinese influence in the region. In 2022, the Biden administration imposed its first sanctions against North Korea’s weapons program.
Taiwan
During Trump’s presidency, Taiwan’s strategic ambiguity and China’s economic focus were maintained, assuring a delicate balance between regional stability and strategic ambiguity. While tensions persisted, this approach assisted in preventing direct military conflicts and maintaining a relative state of peace in the Taiwan Strait.
The delicate situation surrounding the Taiwan-China conflict has become more precarious under the Biden administration, primarily due to the administration’s unwarranted interference and inconsistent policy stance. The tendency of President Biden to deviate from established diplomatic norms and the traditional framework of the One China policy has significantly exacerbated the already delicate relations between the two countries.
In addition, the Biden administration has failed to effectively deter Chinese aggression against US interference in the matter, resulting in heightened tensions and concerns of a possible military conflict. The increased Chinese military activities near Taiwan have raised concerns about the possibility of a large-scale military confrontation, placing the lives of millions at risk and further destabilizing the region.
Ultimately, perceptions may differ, but the world during Trump’s tenure appeared relatively calmer, showcasing a distinctive approach to global diplomacy that had handled the modern geopolitical discussions.
