The administration of US President Joe Biden came to power on January 20 this year with a promise to change relations with different countries of the world.
The administration promises to follow the path of all instead of the policy of former US President Donald Trump to walk alone. At the same time, Joe Biden spoke of adopting a “foreign policy for the middle class” and choosing the path of stability and prosperity in the country with US interests abroad.
According to Qatar-based Al Jazeera, the Biden administration’s promises include re-establishing ties with the global community, re-establishing US leadership, ending protracted wars with various countries, and reacting more actively to China’s growing aggression, with Russia. , Restoring the Iran nuclear deal, adding Washington’s more humane policy on the southern border with Mexico.
Meanwhile, the year was coming to an end. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is trying to restore relations with allies and establish itself as a key player in tackling the global crisis. At the same time, however, it has been criticized for failing to live up to its human rights-led foreign policy commitments. In addition, some say, the Biden administration has sharpened ideological differences when global cooperation among global superpowers is sorely needed.
“2021 is a year of transformation,” PJ Crowley, a former assistant secretary of state for public affairs under President Barack Obama, told Al Jazeera.
President Biden has replaced Trump’s sentiments with logic and reality. What the US policy really is, is more understood. This is the real achievement.
But that could again be a big test for next year. Can Biden bring meaningful results by changing the tone of US foreign policy?
One of the most important steps in US foreign policy in 2021 is to restore relations with allies and organizations. Shortly after taking office, the Biden administration turned its back on the previous administration’s foreign policy and began taking new steps. Initially, Biden took a new step by returning to the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Earlier, in 2016, Donald Trump removed the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization in 2020. In addition, Biden quickly moved away from Trump’s confrontation with NATO allies. He spoke in support of the US Alliance, but said that maintaining some independence was important for the United States and its people.
In a speech to the UN General Assembly last September, Biden spoke of an era of relentless US diplomacy that would strengthen international cooperation at a turning point in history.
Biden ended the year with the “Summit of Democracy”. The goal was to push for a promise of reform from world leaders. However, the guest list invited to the conference has been criticized. Criticism has also been leveled at whether US election noise has diminished their ability to rule on the issue.
Biden’s longtime allies have welcomed his predictable approach to the world stage. However, his first year is not going smoothly. NATO allies have questioned Washington’s credibility on issues such as the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Biden’s recent direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the deployment of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border have raised concerns. NATO members have also expressed outrage. They fear that Moscow may get a harmful concession from the United States.
France, a longtime ally, has been unhappy with a deal between the United States and the United Kingdom to sell nuclear submarines to Australia.
Policy changes towards important countries
The trade war between Washington and Beijing has been going on since 2016. The US administration has rallied European and Asian allies against Chinese influence. Washington has called for a defense pact against Chinese aggression, as well as an increase in military power. Coming out of a strategically vague US policy on Taiwan last October, Biden said Washington would step in to defend Taipei. In response, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that Biden was playing with fire.
Despite withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, Washington has not yet recognized the country. But Washington is using Qatar to act as a diplomatic ambassador to the country. Qatar lags behind in human rights in the eyes of international observers. On December 22, the United States authorized the sending of aid to Afghanistan through the United Nations.
As much as Biden and the Trump administration insisted on the Middle East, Biden has moved on. He has removed military equipment from the area. On December 9, Washington announced the end of the US-led mission in Iraq. However, no announcement has been made about the withdrawal of 900 troops from Syria.
The Trump administration has strengthened ties with Israel. There are allegations that Washington has not taken strong action against Israel for violating human rights in the Gaza Strip.
Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal with Iran. Biden has taken the initiative to return to the agreement. The eighth round of talks will start from December 26 with this agreement. The gains made in the previous discussion are small.
Earlier, Biden said that the goal of strategic stability with Russia has not materialized. During a virtual meeting between Biden and Putin on December 6, Biden said that if Moscow invaded Ukraine, it would have serious consequences. The Kremlin says Putin has sought assurances from the US president that NATO’s expansion would be stopped.
