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Whereas Joe Biden, the forty sixth president of the US, gave his first State of the Union deal with, there have been a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals fleeing a warfare in Europe. As he talked, no person might say how many individuals had been dying. Killed in a warfare launched by a megalomaniac Russian president who has clearly misplaced his thoughts reminiscent of the previous.
Ines Pohl runs DW’s Washington studio
Similar to his statements in latest days and weeks, Biden’s phrases additionally appeared to hark again to the previous, sounding at instances as in the event that they had been straight out of a Chilly Conflict archive. The president, who’s going on 80, talked of the facility of becoming a member of forces with allies, he threatened Moscow and he defended democratic values. He stated how vital it was to be united to assist ease the struggling of the Ukrainian folks, and outlined US sanctions that will hit the Russian economic system.
‘Defend each inch of territory of NATO’
There was rapturous applause, together with from many Republican members. In any case, who wouldn’t need to commend the braveness of the Ukrainians, in addition to the power of the US in such a tragic second of historical past? Biden’s belligerent rhetoric and the pledge to “defend each inch of territory of NATO nations with the total pressure of our collective energy,” resounded beneath the Capitol’s dome. However this self-centered celebration of the US army power was only a snapshot.
Joe Biden had very completely different intentions as he made this vital speech, a number of weeks into the brand new yr. Contemplating his approval rankings are at present at a drastic low at 41%, he lastly wished an opportunity to shine and rating some factors. Eight months away from the essential midterm elections, which might see him lose all his political leverage, he wished to speak about his achievements: In regards to the battle in opposition to COVID-19, about financial progress and constructive developments on the job market. He wished to have fun the truth that he’s the primary president to nominate a Black lady to the Supreme Court docket. He additionally wished to focus on the truth that he has fulfilled varied vital pledges, reminiscent of getting a serious infrastructure spending bundle via. In fact, he did discuss all that in his speech and earned one other spherical of elated applause, albeit primarily from his personal ranks.
Biden’s help for Ukraine earned him a standing ovation
Danger of disappointing voters
Nonetheless, what is going to actually make a distinction for voters is the choice to place the struggle for the democratic post-war order in faraway Europe over speedy pursuits within the US. This implies understanding that the impression of sanctions will trigger fuel costs to blow up, and the inflation price, already hovering at a mean 7%, will proceed to rise, making life even tougher for thousands and thousands throughout the US.
The US president additionally appears to have accepted the truth that populist Republicans might use his marketing campaign in opposition to Putin’s warfare crimes in opposition to him, as ammunition for his or her America First fearmongering. They are going to do that first on this yr’s midterms after which later within the presidential polls.
Like a lot of his technology, Biden is satisfied that the US has to face with its European allies in instances of disaster. However this conviction just isn’t shared by all of his compatriots. For a lot of, China has changed Russia as the thing of worry. For a lot of the inhabitants, trans-Atlantic ties with the outdated continent are now not a precedence. Many see the long run in Asia and imagine that Europe ought to, lastly, take care of itself.
Joe Biden has been a politician for 50 years. He’ll maybe be the final nice trans-Atlanticist within the White Home. With out even conjuring up the specter of Trump, no matter who succeeds him as president, the US will shift its overseas coverage priorities. Europe would do effectively to get used to this and modify accordingly.
This text has been translated from German.
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