Joe Biden's foreign policy puzzle: Why powerful connections weren't enough
A look at how Bidenʼs extensive diplomatic experience didnt translate into major foreign policy wins. From Middle-East challenges to Ukraine complexities his presidency shows how global leadership needs more than connections
Past White-house residents left clear foreign-policy marks: Richard Nixon opened China Jimmy Carter made Israel-Egypt peace and Ronald Reagan got Soviet arms deals. But Joe Bidenʼs four-year term looks different - its hard to spot a stand-out diplomatic win
His team points to better ties with Asian friends: improved links with Japan‚ South Korea and others show some success. US-German relations got fixed too and he did end that never-ending Afghanistan thing (which was eating up resources like crazy)
The Middle-east plans didnt work as hoped: Yemen is still a mess with those Houthis shooting at ships; Saudi-Israel deal-making needs lots of US promises‚ and Iran talks are dead in the water. Its funny - Biden wanted to focus less on this region but now US is deeper in it than before
His foreign-policy team likes old-school ideas about US global leadership but they dont push hard when needed. Look at Gaza - Netanyahu just ignores Bidenʼs requests with no real push-back; or Ukraine where Biden sends lots of money (over $61-billion) but seems unsure what winning looks like
In the end Biden who came in with all those years of experience and foreign-leader contacts on speed-dial found out that being worlds most powerful person doesnt mean you can control everything. He didnt have a clear plan - maybe thats what people will remember most
