Staff Reports
In recent times, American foreign policy has taken a nosedive, leaving allies like Israel and Ukraine to pick up the pieces and act as if the United States is off on a leisurely holiday. The current occupant of the White House has seemingly morphed from a lame-duck president into an outright empty suit, allowing other countries to wrest control of their destinies in a way that hasn’t been seen in years. With Biden sidelined and Kamala Harris more focused on her campaign than on world affairs, Israel and Ukraine are making moves that show just how little they are relying on American leadership.
Israel is no longer waiting on the sidelines, constrained by the feckless policies of the Biden administration. Since recognizing Biden’s diminished leadership, the state of Israel has ramped up its operations against the terrorist group Hezbollah, taking a decisive approach to eradicating threats with a vigor reminiscent of days gone by. Hezbollah operatives are now feeling the heat, as Israel eliminates their leadership structures with impressive efficiency. The Israeli forces are now targeting everything from communication devices to key commanders, showcasing their resurgence in the face of a leadership vacuum from the U.S.
As Biden delivers his final UN speech, he reflects on his foreign policy legacy – from rebuilding alliances to supporting Ukraine.
✍️ @pierrehaski for @FranceInter
in EN via @worldcrunch https://t.co/dplxJwYzou— Worldcrunch (@worldcrunch) September 26, 2024
Meanwhile, across Eastern Europe, Ukraine is seizing the moment while the Biden administration twiddles its thumbs. With reports suggesting the White House is debating the merits of allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is throwing caution to the wind and doing just that. In recent weeks, Ukraine has successfully taken out military assets deep within Russia, including critical oil depots—operations that would typically be a hard no under a more involved American administration. This newfound freedom is giving Ukraine the momentum it so desperately needs, perhaps for the first time since the conflict began.
It’s important to ask why such bold moves are happening now, and the answer points directly to Biden’s absence from the leadership equation. While he was in power, any aggressive actions from Ukraine were met with stern warnings and restrictions, born from the administration’s misguided fear of increasing oil prices and potential electoral backlash. However, now that Biden seems more like a non-entity in the global theater, both Israel and Ukraine are demonstrating that they can take decisive action without U.S. intervention, which is a stark contrast to what was previously experienced under Biden’s watch.
For Israel, their operations against Hezbollah double as a show of strength and resolve that has been sorely lacking in recent months. The terror organization has been emboldened by the previous U.S. stance, but with Biden effectively sidelined, Israel has found a renewed sense of mission. Just like a boxer who’s been waiting for an opening, now that they’ve spotted the weakness in their opponent, they have struck hard and fast, confident in their ability to handle their enemies without having to constantly check in with the White House.
Biden may be out of the picture, but the impact of his absence is being felt as Israel and Ukraine instinctively take the initiative, reminding the world what it looks like when these nations are allowed to operate without the constraints of a weak American administration. Still, the long-term outlook remains concerning; America cannot afford to be a bystander in global affairs forever. The hope remains that American citizens will recognize the urgency of the moment and vote to replace the Biden-Harris team with leaders who understand the gravity of the situation and can actually get the job done. With a war brewing in Europe and conflicts in the Middle East, the stakes are far too high to remain a passive player in international politics.
