President Joe Biden laid out his foreign policy principles in a sweeping speech just a week before he leaves office. He laid out the case for continuing with the same approach just days before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House, vowing to change the direction of foreign policy. Voice of America correspondent Anita Powell brings you more details on President Biden's speech to U.S. diplomats at the State Department on Monday.
President Joe Biden summarized the foreign policy of the 4 years of his administration, stating that:
"Currently, in my judgment, thanks to our administration, the United States is winning global competition. Compared to four years ago, America is stronger, our alliances are stronger, our adversaries and competitors are weaker. And we did not go to war to make all of this possible," said Mr. Biden.
The President focused particularly on the strong support for multinational institutions and norms established after World War II.
He cited NATO expansion as an example, stating that the transatlantic security bloc thwarted Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan to invade neighboring Ukraine.
"When Putin attacked Ukraine, he thought he could take Kiev in a matter of days. The truth is, since the war began, I'm the only one who's been in the center of Kiev, not him. Putin never made it," Mr. Biden said.
President Biden said that authoritarian countries like China, Iran, North Korea and Russia are connecting with each other more out of "weakness than strength."
Regarding the serious conflict that began in Israel and has engulfed the region, he said his administration was working to end the war, which broke out more than a year ago.
He particularly noted his work in carrying out the largest prisoner exchange in modern history last year.
Earlier on Monday, at the White House, his national security adviser outlined progress in talks on a deal that would allow for the release of those held hostage by Hamas for more than a year. “We believe that these details are close to being fully finalized and the parties are closer to finalizing this agreement. Whether we can, from this stage that we are now, conclude the agreement, that will be shown in the coming hours and days,” said Mr. Jake Sullivan.
Experts analyze the transfer of power and the impact on foreign policy.
"It is very possible that Joe Biden's foreign policy legacy will be that of the last president of the United States to support the world order that was created after World War II. Because Donald Trump wants to change it in a very radical way and he probably will," says Jim Kessler of the Third Way Organization.
"This was an attempt by President Biden to declare that there was a return to diplomacy and that he will leave his mark on American foreign policy. But when the time comes for historians to write, I think the way they will remember the President is likely to be determined more by what happens now," says Andrew Payne of the University of London.
President Joe Biden's term ends on January 20./ VOA (A2 Televizion)
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