Author’s article by Dr. Orhan Dragaš, director of the International Security Institute, for the daily newspaper Danas: https://www.danas.rs/svet/orhan-dragas-za-danas/
“The speech of the American president is a central event at the general debate at the UN every year, but that was not the case this year,” Orhan Dragaš, director of the International Security Institute, told Danas, commenting on the last address of US President Joseph Biden before the United Nations General Assembly.
World leaders are in New York for the 79th United Nations General Assembly to discuss global issues and highlight their countries’ priorities.
Among other things, Biden spoke about historical events related to America—about the Cold War, but also about the Vietnam War—and pointed out that “once enemies have now become allies.”
The American president also spoke about global issues, such as the war in Ukraine and Gaza. On that occasion, the outgoing American president pointed out as positive news that “Putin’s war has failed in its basic goal.”
Speaking about the escalating war in the Middle East, Biden condemned Hezbollah’s missile attacks, saying that “Lebanon launched missiles at Israel without provocation.”
Dragaš pointed out for Danas that the international authority of President Biden was cut in half when the Democratic Party decided to remove him from the race for a new mandate and nominated Kamala Harris instead.
“Biden’s speech was more of his farewell to the main international scene where he left a big mark because, since the 1970s when he entered the Congress, and throughout his career he has been dealing with global issues,” recalls Dragaš.
He believes that if Biden is saying goodbye to world leaders, he is not saying goodbye to his administration, which is why his messages from the UN podium are significant.
“Unfortunately, Biden did not indicate that Washington will provide more decisive support to Ukraine at a very critical phase of its defense against Russian aggression,” our interlocutor points out.
Dragaš believes that in his speech, Biden repeated phrases about “unwavering” support for Kyiv, “but the fact is that America, together with the West, did not fully fulfill their promises of significant military and political assistance.”
“The question of long-term strategy remains unresolved, while the conflict drags on indefinitely, exhausting Ukraine and destabilizing the entire region,” notes Dragaš.
According to Dragaš, the Biden administration had the opportunity to take tougher measures against Russia since the start of the invasion—not only through economic sanctions, which proved to be partially effective, but also through the provision of more advanced weapons and logistical support to the Ukrainian army.
“Instead, Biden has consistently shown caution, fearing an escalation of the conflict, which has allowed Putin to continue his aggression without serious obstacles. At a crucial moment, the United States refrained from taking steps that could quickly change the course of the war. From Biden’s speech, I could see that this reluctance is continuing, and this is a direct consequence of the calculations surrounding the upcoming presidential elections,” emphasizes Dragaš.
Dragaš added that the meeting Biden will have today at the White House with Volodymyr Zelensky will be much more important than his speech at the UN.
“The Ukrainian leader will bring him a very specific plan, that is, several demands that the Ukrainians believe can lead to the end of the war very soon in their favor. Washington’s response will be extremely important, above all regarding the use of long-range weapons for strikes deep in Russian territory,” says Danas’s interlocutor.
Dragaš explains that, as far as the Middle East is concerned, Biden’s administration has failed to bring stability or resolve key conflicts.
“Biden’s farewell speech was silent on several important events from his presidency, which caused America to lose influence in the Middle East and ignited conflicts. He did not mention the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, nor the fact that he failed to reset relations with Iran or to strengthen the agreements reached during the Obama administration,” Dragaš points out.
According to Dragaš, although Biden has been trying to restore the US’s role as a global leader, his administration seems uncertain and reactive in the face of international crises.
“Ukraine and the Middle East are two examples where expectations from American leadership have remained unfulfilled,” notes our interlocutor.
At a moment, continues Dragaš, when the world is looking for a clear and decisive American policy, the Biden administration provides only rhetoric without actual results.
“Instead of resolutely confronting global threats and defining long-term strategies, Biden, on the contrary, shows a tendency towards compromises and half-measures that do not produce adequate results,” Dragaš concludes.