The last 6 months of President Biden’s foreign policy was centred around two of America’s allies, Ukraine and Israel.
President Biden has remained a staunch ally of President Zelenskyy’s during the Ukraine crisis following the invasion by Russia, and this has not changed over the last 6 months. Whilst initial support for aid to Ukraine was strong, in recent months Republicans in congress have become more reluctant to provide ongoing support. They have threatened to withdraw their support for aid which has resulted in the threat of government shutdowns.
The United States Congress has already approved $133 billion in aid for Ukraine. That includes military, economic and humanitarian support. Biden has added a proposed $325 million to this for air defence capabilities. President Zelenskyy visited Washington to meet with the President in September in an attempt to shore up more public support for his war efforts. He also met with members of congress and members of the press.
Then, on 7th October, Hamas led a terrorist attack on Israel, killing 1400 people and taking hundreds as hostages. The events that have ensued since have provided a new focal point for the foreign policy of the Biden administration. President Biden visited Israel a week after the initial attack in order to show his full support for the Israeli administration. He spoke with the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and also used the opportunity to assure aid from Eqypt would be allowed to reach Gaza. Biden’s messages included these clear words: “I come to Israel with a single message: you’re not alone, as long as the United States stands – and we will stand forever – we will not let you ever be alone”.
On 19October this year President Biden delivered his second address to the nation from the Oval Office. The president used this address to gain support for his proposed aid to both Israel and Ukraine.
He argued that in supporting both nations they were fighting both antisemitism and islamophobia. The president said: “Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they share this in common: they both want to completely annihilate a neighbouring democracy.”
The president used the speech to draw the two conflicts together in the US public’s minds and said that the US should not walk away from its role as “a beacon to the world”. Biden was reported to be planning $100 billion in aid.
Biden’s rhetoric has been reminiscent of past foreign policy staples from the US: being the world police, speaking to the responsibility often placed on the United States as the safe guarders against authoritarianism and terrorism and echoing Cold War rhetoric and justifications for foreign intervention.
However, in the modern era, such rhetoric is at odds with the growing fears of colonialism and also the growing polarised responses to international conflicts.
Biden’s speech provoked outrage from Republicans in Congress who did not appreciate the linking of the two conflicts and felt that he was using the support for Israel to shore up support for the ever-growing unpopular aid to Ukraine. There is growing opposition to the vast amounts of aid to the Ukraine and this has caused much in-fighting in Congress, including sparking the recent ousting of the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy.
As the response from Israel has progressed in the weeks since the attack from Hamas, so has the discussion around America’s support. The attacks on Gaza and the Palestinian people have been relentless and have included air attacks and the cutting off of all essential supplies to the population in order to remove the threat of Hamas. However, Israel’s response has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s administration has remained resolute in their support of Israel throughout this.
As the response from Israel has escalated, including ground offences, Biden’s support has remained. However his unwavering support has garnered more criticism, especially from the more progressive members of his own party.
Opposition to Israel’s response attacks on Gaza have resulted in mass protests across American and outspoken criticism of the President by members of his own party. Biden has called for pauses in Israel’s military action and has spoken with Netanyahu on the issue. No pauses or ceasefires have been announced.
It could soon be up to Kamala Harris to tackle the political complexities of foreign policy while attempting to appease her own party members.
Words: Dr Amy Tatum
Dr Amy Tatum is a lecturer in Communication and Media at Bournemouth University, her research explores gender and political leadership with a focus on US politics. She has published research on women political leaders, AI bias, and gender and media representation.
Featured image courtesy of Gage Skidmore