Joe Biden could not have made a more timely or better speech at this precarious moment in the Middle East. Asserting his belief that America is still the world’s best hope to lead the fight against terrorists and tyrants who would destroy democracy, he delivered hope to Israel and Ukraine while also defending the rights of Palestinians suffering in Gaza.
His address to the nation was a gut-punch to those isolationists in the Republican Party, including Donald Trump, who advocate a retreat from Ukraine and from America’s global role in promoting democracy.
Biden not only repudiated their populist notion of international surrender, he openly declared his vision of the US as a world policeman at a time when democracy was under siege.
The President’s message was that unless the US leads the global struggle against anti-democratic forces like Hamas and Russia, then not only might these conflicts spread, but it would give a green light for other tyrants in other conflicts around the world.
Biden pointedly included the Indo-Pacific, without mentioning China by name.
He said that by supporting Israel in its battle against Hamas and Ukraine against Russia, the US was trying to contain these wars and that this, in turn, would help keep American troops “out of harm’s way”. In other words, early intervention was the key to avoiding another “forever war” like in Iraq or Afghanistan.
His address had several key messages. It was a powerful declaration of his support for Israel in its struggle against the “evil” of Hamas. This follows his strong support for Israel during his visit there this week, but its timing is important given that Israel could launch its ground invasion into Gaza at any moment now.
He also used his address to make the point that the safety and rights of Palestinian citizens must also be respected and protected and he made a clear distinction between Palestinian civilians and Hamas. Again, the timing of this was important as the US seeks to calm growing unrest in the Arab world over the civilian death toll in Gaza.
The address was aimed at securing the support of both the American public and congress for the looming battle in Gaza, saying it was essential that the US stand by Israel at this precarious time as it seeks to eradicate Hamas after its attacks on Israel.
Biden’s speech entwined both the war against Hamas and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying that both must be fought in the name of democracy. His decision to include Ukraine in this address was squarely aimed at the isolationist Republicans in congress as the President seeks multi-billion-dollar assistance packages for both Israel and Ukraine.
“We can’t let petty partisan angry politics get in the way of our responsibility as a great nation. We cannot and will not let terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin win. I refuse to let that happen,” he said.
This was a powerful speech and a necessary speech. Biden’s response to this crisis in the Middle East has been sure-footed and measured at a time when passions on all sides have run amok. It caps off what has been Biden’s strongest week as President.
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