Shortly after having returned from the Middle East where he made his hasty visit to Israel, US President Joe Biden spoke from his Oval Office to his fellow Americans. It was his second speech there and has the potential to become one of the most noteworthy speeches in his presidency. It might even define his presidency and would profoundly impact his reelection campaign.
US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the war between Israel and Hamas after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv. Photo: AP |
For the first time in his present presidency, he has tried to explain to Americans why the US should massively pour America's money and weapons into Ukraine and Israel. He announced his request to Congress for a new financial package worth $106 bn for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and for the security at the US border with Mexico. He tried to convince Americans to believe that supporting US allies like Ukraine and Israel is serving America's vital interests. He compared Russia with Hamas. He asked Americans to understand and support his foreign policy which aims at internationalism and multilateralism, not at unilateralism and isolationism, aiming at leading the world and not at withdrawing from the world. He urged Americans to overcome the deep political and social division in the US.
In fact, his speech is like his announcement of starting his reelection campaign. For America's domestic audience, his core message is: "American leadership is what holds the world together. American alliances are what keep us, America, safe. American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with. To put all that at risk -- if we walk away from Ukraine, if we turn our backs on Israel -- it’s just not worth it." It implies the total denial of policies and political intentions of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Joe Biden made an effort to persuade American voters to believe that it would be better for them and for America to elect himself and not Donald Trump or any other presidential candidates from the Republican Party.
For the world outside America, Joe Biden's main message is "America is back" and "America will lead". He encourages America's allies and partners and deters America's enemies and opponents.
It was Joe Biden's clever move to combine domestic and foreign policy together by referring to the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Only in this way he could continue to support Ukraine and enhance backing of Israel, both militarily and financially because there is in the US now broad consent to back Israel but growing reservations about spending huge amounts of money and weapons for Ukraine fighting Russia while the Republicans are going on to paralyze themselves in the Congress and deeply bogged down in partisan trench warfare.
Now, Americans know more and better about their incumbent president, about his way of governing, about his intentions and visions. It would make it easier for them to make their final decision when the time is coming to choose between him and Donald Trump or any other presidential candidates.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Ambassador Tran Duc Mau are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Hanoi Times.
