FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The United States can't do everything, but it is the only country that can do something, and the common feeling from much of the world is that it is not doing what it should.
For his final address to the United Nations General Assembly, Joe Biden took on the role of a wise old man giving advice at the end of a long life. He recalled past moments of despair, for the United States or the world, always followed by better days. It was a message of hope that the 46th President of the United States wanted to leave as he neared the end of his long political career.
This speech might have been just as poignant if the world he leaves behind had not once again fallen prey to the collision of war, conflict and growing despair, for which the United States and its President bear their share of responsibility. This speech, a kind of last-ditch diplomatic will, eventually slipped too much into wishful thinking at a time when the world needed the United States to be more powerful and decisive.
-Two burning issues
There are two burning issues on Biden's desk right now. The first is, of course, the worsening situation in the Middle East, with Lebanon descending into the chaos of war. The United States can't do everything, but it is the only country that can do something, and the common feeling from much of the world is that it is not doing what it should.
Biden reiterated in his speech on Tuesday his declaration that the war in Gaza and its trail of civilian casualties will end, that the hostages held by Hamas will be freed and that the Palestinians will finally have a state. But he's up against a wall - Benjamin Netanyahu - and he seems quite drawn to it.
The other issue is Ukraine, whose president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was on hand to hear Biden. He heard strong support for Kiev, but nothing for his urgent request for a green light to use Western missiles on Russian territory. He will have to wait for his meeting with Biden in Washington at the end of the week to find out if he will cross this new rubicon.
- American responsibility
The US president was greeted with relief by world leaders when he took office in January 2021, following the chaotic tenure of Donald Trump. His return to a predictable presidency, his support for multilateralism, were welcomed, especially in Europe.
Likewise, it has certainly enabled Ukraine to resist the Russian invasion. If Trump had been in the White House, it is quite possible that Ukraine would not exist today.
But the head of the world's leading power is faced with a double choice that weighs heavily: to give Ukraine more than just the means to survive, but to shift the balance of power vis-à-vis Putin; and confront the bloody challenges of the Middle East, where he is perceived as too complacent about Israel.
Perhaps the truest moment of his speech came when he talked about his decision not to run for a second term. " Some things ," he said, " are more important than staying in power. "
After this speech, there was an audience that included many autocrats clinging to power. They applauded as they should, but that doesn't mean they got the message./ Adapted Pamphlet from WorldCrunch
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