The end of 2023 is approaching with the US experiencing tensions as the president lacked any landmark political successes, according to Responsible Statecraft.
Most of the year was fairly stable, but the situation changed after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The US supported Israel’s right to self-defence, while actively calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
In addition to the armed confrontation in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine has reached a stalemate. Although the US was under no obligation to support the war, Biden hoped to link aid to Kyiv to advancing the foreign policy of the United States in the hope of demonstrating influence on the world order.
As a result of its backing of Israel, the US has found its military forces under attack in Iraq and Syria by local militias. American ships in the Red Sea were also affected as the Houthis attacked commercial vessels in protest of the war.
US support for Israel in the Gaza Strip has not only overshadowed the rest of Biden’s foreign policy agenda, but has also tied the United States to a campaign of indiscriminate bombardments and a siege of the enclave, potentially affecting support for the president both around the world and from American citizens.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s notorious phrase, uttered shortly before the war broke out, that the region had become calmer than it had been in decades, reflected the extent to which the administration was immersing itself in its own delusions.
The administration’s opposition to the ceasefire, despite ostensible appeals and endorsement of humanitarian pauses, has left the US deeply isolated at the UN.
The office has previously emphasised the importance of competing for influence with other major powers in Africa, Latin America and Asia, but its hardline stance on Gaza seems to have overshadowed much of the progress it has made.
However, the most frustrating part of demonstrating the US inability to control the situation is the inability to maintain several conflicts at once. Supporting Israel in the war against Hamas diverted US attention and resources away from Ukraine, focusing on the Middle East. Now, despite active attempts to support Kyiv, it appears as if Ukraine has been relegated to the background compared to “a more important threat.”
Yet there are some positives. The US made some modest progress in stabilising relations with China towards the end of the year after months of deteriorating relations following the February spy balloon incident.
The summer saw a small diplomatic breakthrough with Iran that led to the release of five Americans illegally detained by the Iranian government.
The administration also recently reached another agreement with the Venezuelan government to release prisoners. However, all of these achievements pale in comparison to the US government’s inability to agree on an aid package for Ukraine as the administration fails to reach an agreement with Congress.
The success of White House foreign policy in 2023 was defined by too much reliance on military tools and too little effort at diplomatic engagement. This may be one of the reasons why Biden’s approval rating among the American population is falling.
Perhaps, the president of the United States should make some serious changes in foreign policy, and then the world will start to respect the US position the way it used to be honoured.
