Joe Biden didn’t anticipate becoming a wartime president, but he has taken on that role.
Recently, Biden placed his mark in history by addressing the outcomes of two conflicts: Israel’s battle against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Ukraine’s war against Russian invasion.
When Biden assumed office in 2021, his foreign policy objectives were more modest. He aimed to rebuild strained alliances left by his predecessor, Donald Trump. He aimed to pivot towards great-power competition with China. And he aimed to withdraw the remaining U.S. forces from Afghanistan—a mission accomplished amidst chaos.
However, two events have reshaped the landscape.
Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine with the intention of turning an independent country into a colony. Last week, Israel prepared to initiate a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip to dismantle the attacking Hamas regime.
“We are at a crucial turning point in history—one of those moments where the decisions we make today will determine the future for decades to come,” he asserted.
“We will not allow terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin to triumph,” he added, emphasizing, “I refuse to let that happen.”
Intentionally or not, he echoed President George H.W. Bush’s response to Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait: “This will not stand.”
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In a narrower sense, Biden’s speech was a legislative maneuver. On Friday, he sent Congress a request for $105 billion in emergency funding—primarily for Ukraine, but with substantial amounts for Israel, Palestinian humanitarian aid, U.S. border security, and Taiwan.
His hope is that Congress, including skeptical Republicans, will find it easier to pass a bill that satisfies everyone’s interests.
Nevertheless, the president’s message extended far beyond the budget debate; it was aimed at the American public.
He clearly intended to push back against the growing sentiment among voters, particularly Republicans, that the United States should reduce its international commitments.
Several polls over the past year have shown a gradually increasing proportion of voters who believe the United States should play a less active role on the global stage. In a September survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a majority of Republican voters—53%—stated that they believed the United States should “stay out of world affairs”—the first time in the poll’s 49-year history.
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Biden has reframed his justification for supporting Ukraine and Israel. Last year, after Russia’s invasion, he described the stakes as a “battle between democracy and autocracy”—a concept that may have been too intangible for some voters.
Last week, he tailored his argument to a domestic audience.
“Ensuring the success of Israel and Ukraine is vital for America’s national security,” he contended. “It is a smart investment that will yield long-term dividends for American security [and] help us keep American troops out of harm’s way.”
Biden aimed to make another crucial point.
“American leadership is what sustains global stability,” he declared. “American alliances are what protect our nation.”
He quoted the late Madeleine Albright, the indefatigable Secretary of State under President Clinton, who referred to the United States as “the indispensable nation.”
He also referenced President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s proclamation in 1940 that the United States was the “arsenal of democracy” in the early days of World War II.
In essence, Biden aims to construct a modern version of the Cold War mentality that shaped U.S. foreign policy during much of the second half of the 20th century—a belief that bold U.S. leadership is indispensable for global peace.
The two conflicts he is addressing will prove challenging to manage.
Israel may succeed in a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, but subsequently, it will face more complex obstacles such as pacification, administration of the battle zone, and a renewed pursuit for peace with the Palestinians. Last week, Biden openly and privately offered advice to Israel’s leaders in these domains. To ensure Israel’s long-term success, he will need to provide substantial additional support.
The 20-month-long war in Ukraine has been costly in terms of lives and resources (the United States has already provided over $75 billion, with European nations contributing even more) and Putin appears to be entrenched, waiting to see if his longtime admirer, Trump, returns to the White House in 2025.
Presidents are often evaluated based on their leadership during times of crisis. Last week, Biden staked his position in history.
He established an ambitious objective—ensuring the success of both Israel and Ukraine—and made it a benchmark for his leadership.
While voters are more likely to judge him based on the state of the economy, historians will assess him against this self-imposed measure.
This story was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
