It is very risky to write quick histoires but sometimes necessary because of current events. One of the big complexities is the US response to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. One of the other worries is how the US handles the Russia-Ukraine war.
Many people believe that the Biden administration does not have a clear plan about how to tackle the situation effectively. President Joe Biden is just reacting to situations without leading Ukraine or Israel. According to this view, American influence has faded with time.
However, the view might be too simple and clear. What if the US official sees this moment as an opportunity to change global power? This could mean that the United States is making efforts to change the current international system. These efforts may come from a wish to disrupt globalization and a feeling of longing for a better past, showing a significant shift in the US foreign policy goals.
Recent global conflicts such as Russia’s Ukraine war that started in February 2022 and the conflict between Israel and Hamas, greatly challenge Biden’s foreign policy. Many believe that the US-led West is reacting rather than leading. However, a different story emerges by closely examining the results.
During the era of Donald Trump, the nation followed his approach of “America First” and ignored many international rules. He scrapped trade deals and imposed tariffs on China. Biden has been believed to support a rules-based world order. But his actions highlight that he is just as aggressive, if not more so, toward China.
Biden has aimed to reverse years of what he sees as weakness toward China. For this purpose, he is restricting its technological growth and pressuring allies like the Netherlands and South Korea.
His dismissal of the World Trade Organization’s concerns about US steel tariffs indicates a shift toward a more assertive stance. Overall, Biden’s policies resemble Trump’s but are presented more thoughtfully.
US strategy towards the Indo-Pacific region
Now the US is changing its strategy towards the Indo-Pacific region. The nation is moving beyond just keeping things the same. The US is creating the Quad alliance with India, Japan, and Australia. They did it to challenge China’s increasing power. This approach followed the same rule as began in Trump’s era. In 2021, Joe Biden closely collaborated with Russia to focus on China. But after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the situation changed.
Now, the West is standing firm against Russia and will not go back to how things were before. In the Middle East, Biden was building on Trump’s Abraham Accords, but Russia’s ties with Iran and China’s involvement complicated things. After the recent attacks by Hamas on October 7, the US shifted its support to Israel, showing a stronger stance in a difficult region.
The US is a great supporter of Israel’s actions in Gaza, covering over 25% of its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. This funding increased the confidence level of Israel, and they continued their aggressive actions. Along with the US, many other nations such as Germany and the UK also support Israel. All of these nations protecting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from facing international consequences.
To keep Iran in check, the United States maintains diplomacy and relationships with Gulf states. Therefore, there is a huge uncertainty in the results. Israel’s actions are weakening Iran’s influence and making a two-state solution less likely.
In different conflicts, such as the Israel-Palestine war, Russia-Ukraine conflicts, and conflicts in China, the US claims to follow the rules-based order. However, instead of moving towards peace, the US approach seems to escalate tensions.
The US strategy towards China has been pre-planned. Unlike its responses in Ukraine and the Middle East, Washington is utilizing the actions of its opponents and the challenges faced by its supporters to improve its global image. This shows that the US is carefully planned in foreign policy rather than being reckless. President Biden has put restrictions on Ukraine regarding troops’ usage and has pulled out of Afghanistan. This highlights that he is being cautious despite pressure for more involvement.
He may later consider ceasefires to handle conflicts. Both Trump and Biden are also playing a role in changing the post-Cold War order from the 1990s, which means US foreign policy is shifting significantly.
