In The Atlantic: We're Lucky Biden's in Charge
Everyone is looking to Washington for leadership in the Middle East
My latest in The Atlantic: America is Lucky Biden's in Charge.
“President Joe Biden and his national-security team began their time in office in 2021 intending to concentrate on confronting China’s rise. The state of the world has not allowed such a singular focus. First came the American withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power. Next was Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now Hamas has carried out its barbaric terrorist attack against Israeli citizens, triggering a forceful response from Israel and potentially a major interstate war in the Middle East.
Americans are lucky to have President Biden and his foreign-policy team in charge of national security right now. Their experience and knowledge extend not just to China and Asia but to the world, and they have made smart moves in defense of American interests and values. …”
Lucky is an understatement. When President Biden addressed the nation three nights ago to remind Americans that defending allies like Israel and Ukraine comes with a price, he could have lumped China in as a belligerent like Hamas and Russia. But Biden remained focused. Xi Jinping took note that China was not mentioned, writing in a letter to the National Committee on United States-China Relations that China is willing to cooperate with the U.S. on matters of global concern. A less experienced president would have missed these nuances. Indeed, we are fortunate to have Biden as president as well as professionals in the Cabinet like Tony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, among others.