Derek H. Burney
National Post, Feb. 1, 2022
Joe Biden began his second year as president with a rare press conference that was longer than any given by a U.S. president. It did not resonate well. White House staff and the president had to walk back gaffes he made about the threat against Ukraine where he indicated that “an invasion was likely” and that a “minor incursion” would be tolerated. He also stated that, since voting rights legislation failed in the Senate, the 2022 elections might be rigged.
The president does seem overwhelmed and there are growing doubts about his competence. He did have some initial success. COVID seemed to moderate temporarily last summer and his COVID relief package was popular, as was the bipartisan infrastructure package. But, having promised to rule as a moderate and unify the country after four tempestuous years of Donald Trump, he has not delivered on either.
The disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan raised serious questions about Biden’s global credibility. The menacing tone and manoeuvres by Vladimir Putin on Ukraine and Xi Jinping on Taiwan may demolish his aspirations to manage global affairs. Either threat could erupt soon and severely test Biden’s and America’s will. Meanwhile, negotiations to reinstate the Iran nuclear deal are stalled whereas Iran’s nuclear capability is accelerating, and North Korea has resumed provocative testing of advanced nuclear missiles.
Derek H. Burney is a former 30-year career diplomat who served as Ambassador to the United States of America from 1989 to 1993.
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