Today we survive in an epoch of information war and every leader with intent or without intent plays it beforehand coming to power.
The newly elected President of United States of America, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr with his timely written article n a renowned magazine Foreign Affairs entitled as ‘Why America Must Lead Again Rescuing U.S. Foreign Policy After Trump’ motivates the American citizens and humankind abroad giving them reasons to cast a vote in his errand. The article is of paramount importance as it reveals the glimpses of Washington’s foreign policy for the upcoming years tenure between 2021- 2025. In his entire speech he speaks about his potential courses when he wins the presidency.
Ruins And Renewals
Joe Biden with his piece gave the world a dense and powerful peek of what would America and its brinksmanship be like under its democratic leadership. In his article he left no dimension unmarked and almost discussed each and every aspect from economy, military, middle class, health, free speech and from Afghan to Yemen withdrawal. He did not skip any foes or allies from his scripture. He writes ‘As a nation, we have to prove the world that the United States is prepared to lead again not just with the example of our power but with the power of our example’.
Fight against authoritarianism:He dawns his article by referring to the falling state of democracy against authoritarianism during Trumphood stating ‘today, democracy is under more pressure than any time since the 1930s’. He highlights that during his first year in office a grand ‘Global Summit for Democracy’ will be arranged to revive the soul of free world. He plans to invite not only all the democratic countries but also civil society organizations across globe, technology companies and social media giants to make them recognize their obligations and interests in protecting the democratic societies and freedom of speech. He identifies that such companies should not empower the surveillance states like China. Joe jots: ‘the answer to this threat is more openness, not less: more friendships, more cooperation, more alliances, more democracy.’
Middle class:Middle class also remained a core concern of his speech. Joe Biden underlines the idea that in order to defeat China or any other state, we must shape our innovative edge and unify the economic influence of democracies. He calls the middle class as the greatest asset of United States. He encourages everyone to forget the discrimination of cast and creed and focus towards advancement. He declares to provide every student the essential skills required to obtain a good job in 21st century. In his article he claims to provide $15 an wage raise for workers, creation of ten million new jobs, healthcare, access to quality, eradication of corruption and clean economy revolution.
Trade War:He particularly renounced previous serving President Donald Trump for his ‘ill-advised trade wars’. He states in distinct words: ‘I believe in fair trade’. He considers more than 95 percent of world population living under its border a prospect to tap new commerce and markets.
Core Argument Of Joe’s Script:Joe Biden finally speaks the core of his heart and mind. Joe specks: ‘the wrong thing to do is to put our heads in the sand and say no more trade deals. Countries will trade with or without the United States. The question is, Who writes the rules that govern trade? Who will make sure they protect workers, the environment, the transparency, the middle class wages? The United States not China should be leading that effort’. It seems that Biden is under a security dilemma from China’s nourishing economy. He is committed to belief not to give the harness of world affairs to another country but only America.
China: He affirms to be tough on China. Joe is convinced to cooperate on issues of health security and climate change but is also determined to draw an alliance to challenge for its ‘abusive behaviors’ of human rights violations and for robbing American intellectual property and economic market. He constantly discusses about the created relics since 2017 Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s discharge from office and the restorations that will surge America again. He is well aware of the narrative downfall about US credibility when he writes: ‘diplomacy also requires credibility and Trump has shattered ours’. Joe Biden is very much right when he refers to US global standing and authority as Yan XueTong, Beijing’s prominent expert on China’s foreign policy and U.S.-China relations pens down in his book ‘Leadership and Rise of Great Powers’[1] about Donald Trump presidency an opportunity for Beijing. Yan believes that United States has become vulnerable under Trump’s administration which has provided China with adequate time to fill the disparity gap between the two states.
No Foreign Military Interventions: Military of United States will be staunch but the role of diplomacy will be superior. One vital aspect to notice is when Joe Biden has explicitly clarified the fact that military should be used ‘only to defend US vital interests and simultaneously wishes a stern withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan and along from Yemen. Later he creates a confusion for the readers when he also desires to fight counter terrorism abroad while keeping its forces at home. It seems like he is referring to the use of artificial intelligence to safeguard its interest across borders as he is sure of the notion to build up the AI more than China. He mentions: ‘We can be strong and smart at same time’.
Russia:Red Bear also remains in Joe’s list of dialogue and likewise China it is ready to stand against Moscow with its allies for its violation of the international norms, cybertheft, corruption and disinformation campaigns entitling it as ‘President Vladimir Putin’s kleptocratic authoritarian system’. Vladimir Putin remains the only serving president he called upon with name in his entire article giving him some personal messages of liberty and makes it apparent that only United States will lead the world and technology.
Restoration of treaties and alliances:He is ready to restore America’s old partnerships and alliances forming NATO more effective and competent while reinvesting in collaborations with Australia, Japan, South Korea, India and Indonesia. He particularly mentions an ‘ironclad commitment’ for Israel. He wishes to negotiate on the deals that Donald Trump discarded during his regime for instance Paris Peace Agreement, New START, Nuclear Non-proliferation deal with Iran and North Korea. He believes that already a lot of time has been wasted and cannot be recovered therefore it is urgent to repair and rise America again.
[1] YAN, X. (2020). Chapter 9 Conclusion. In LEADERSHIP AND THE RISE OF GREAT POWERS (p. 198). S.l.: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRES.
