Biden Touts Foreign Policy Legacy in Final State Department Address
President Joe Biden stood tall at the State Department, presenting his presidency as a transformational force in American foreign policy. He boasted about leaving behind a strong strategic position for President-elect Trump to inherit. Biden highlighted the fortified alliances under his leadership, including:
- Revitalizing NATO
- Strengthening Indo-Pacific partnerships
- Bolstering the Quad alliance with Japan, Australia, and India
Biden also took credit for weakening U.S. adversaries, implying that under his watch, the country had flexed its muscles just enough to keep hopeful foes in check.
On Afghanistan, Biden insisted that pulling out U.S. troops was the sensible choice, noting that he wasn’t leaving his successor any wars to finish. He glossed over the chaos of that withdrawal, focusing instead on a war-free inheritance.
As for future challenges, Biden implied he’d set the U.S. up nicely. His administration had dealt with disputes around the globe, leaving the door open for Trump to sweep in without the loose strings that Biden had allegedly tidied up. But isn’t it too neat a package to believe?
The Afghanistan Question
Biden argued that his decision to pull out troops from Afghanistan was not only logical but necessary, positioning himself as the first president in decades to end America’s longest war. He seemed to gloss over the harrowing scenes from Kabul’s Abbey Gate, which saw tragic loss and chaos. By highlighting the 2011 assassination of Osama bin Laden, Biden attempted to bolster his national security credentials, suggesting that with al-Qaeda’s leader gone, the need for U.S. boots on the ground had diminished.
"I saw no reason to keep thousands of servicemen in Afghanistan. In my view, it was time to end the war and bring our troops home."
Critics point out that the exit strategy may have inadvertently left a vacuum, and while the war may be over for U.S. troops, many Afghans continue to struggle. As Biden touted his decision as gifting the incoming Trump administration with a clean military slate, one can’t help but wonder – is this merely the end of one chapter, or will new issues arise from the one Biden claims to have closed?
Future Challenges and a Veiled Challenge to Trump
Biden didn’t hold back in outlining looming challenges for the incoming administration, particularly with clean energy and artificial intelligence. His critique on climate change skeptics came off as a warning shot, likely meant for President-elect Trump and his team. Biden labeled the climate crisis as the “single greatest existential threat to humanity,” a jab at those who dismiss its urgency.
On artificial intelligence, Biden projected a vision filled with both promise and peril. He urged the Trump administration to lead the charge in embracing AI’s potential, positioning it as a frontier to conquer rather than fear. Biden emphasized that America must stay at the forefront of this technological race, hinting that future global dominance could hinge on how effectively AI is harnessed.
Behind Biden’s call to arms was an implicit challenge to Trump’s return to power. He expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that with his careful handover, Trump would be in a prime position to strengthen U.S. commitments and influence on the world stage. Yet, beneath the surface lurked a dare: Can Trump take this foreign policy baton and keep America on course, or will he steer toward past contentious paths?
Future challenges undoubtedly loom large, bathing the transition in tension and intrigue. But Biden’s words left an opening – a chance for Trump to seize the wheel and drive forward with bold ambition, powered by innovation and a commitment to addressing the biggest global issues head-on.
1. Associated Press. Biden launches busy stretch tending to anxious allies. 2024.
2. Foreign Policy. Sullivan visits New Delhi. 2024.
3. Council on Foreign Relations. Preventive Priorities Survey 2025. 2024.
4. The White House. Statement on President Biden's call with Prime Minister Netanyahu. 2024.