President Joe Biden’s key argument in foreign policy is the importance of engaging with international allies to achieve better results for America compared to his predecessor Donald Trump’s unilateral approach. The recent outbreak of violence in Israel is a test of this proposition under challenging circumstances.
The initial responses from Biden and Trump to the attack highlight the contrast in their personal demeanor. Biden delivered a powerful yet measured speech, strongly condemning the Hamas terror attacks and reaffirming unwavering support for Israel. In contrast, Trump’s speech in Florida was rambling, praising Israel’s enemies, criticizing their intelligence and defense capabilities, and complaining about Netanyahu. Trump’s erratic and self-absorbed performance only reinforces critics’ concerns about his reliability in times of crisis.
This crisis goes beyond personal differences between the two presidents. Biden’s speech on Tuesday reveals potential policy debates that could arise in a 2024 rematch on how to promote international stability and advance America’s interests. Biden emphasizes coordination with US allies within and beyond the region, and although he doesn’t directly urge Israel to show restraint, he calls for caution. This subtle warning indicates that the US does not give Israel unrestricted freedom to disregard civilian casualties in pursuit of its military objectives in Gaza.
These comments from Biden highlight crucial differences in his worldview compared to Trump’s. While Trump consistently disparaged US alliances, Biden sees them as crucial mechanisms to expand America’s influence and impact. Additionally, Biden emphasizes the importance of preserving a rules-based international order to enhance security for the US and its allies, in contrast to Trump’s actions to withdraw from international institutions and agreements.
In his 2024 campaign, Trump envisions a fortress America, promising to reduce reliance on the outside world and prioritizing American interests. Biden, on the other hand, believes that building bridges and reviving traditional alliances will best protect America’s interests. He also seeks engagement with rival or adversarial regimes, such as China, to find common ground on issues like climate change.
While the approach to international challenges may be similar in the early stages of Israel’s conflict with Hamas, differences will resurface. Biden has pursued engagement with Iran on various fronts, including negotiations on their nuclear program and the release of American prisoners. Republicans, including Trump, have denounced these efforts, arguing that they provide leeway for funding terrorist groups like Hamas. Furthermore, Biden is likely to pressure Netanyahu to end the fighting and limit civilian losses before influential Republicans would.
Biden’s emphasis on fostering dialogue with a broad range of nations in the region also sets him apart from Trump’s approach of picking sides and making unnecessary adversaries. This approach acknowledges the need for open lines of communication in critical moments like the current crisis.
Public opinion on America’s role in the world differs significantly between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans are increasingly supportive of staying out of world affairs and prioritize following American interests over compromising with allies. Trump’s presidency reflected and reinforced these views, as seen in his withdrawal from international agreements and organizations. In contrast, Democrats believe in taking an active part in world affairs and considering allies’ interests in decision-making.
In conclusion, the eruption of violence in Israel is a test for Biden’s foreign policy approach, which prioritizes engaging with international allies. The contrasting responses of Biden and Trump showcase the differences in their personalities and approaches to international crises. These differences also reveal contrasting views on the US role in the world and the importance of alliances and a rules-based international order. Overall, the crisis in Israel highlights the ongoing debate between Biden and Trump over how to promote international stability and advance America’s interests.
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