Summary of “Joe Biden's Foreign Policy Legacy” – The NPR Politics Podcast, December 26, 2024

In this insightful episode of The NPR Politics Podcast, hosts Susan Davis, Greg Myhre, and Mara Liasson delve into President Joe Biden's foreign policy legacy. Released on December 26, 2024, the episode meticulously examines Biden’s key foreign policy decisions, their impacts, and the evolving political dynamics both domestically and internationally. The discussion is enriched with expert analysis, notable quotes, and timestamps for reference.

1. Rebuilding Alliances vs. “America First”

Susan Davis [00:25]:
Susan Davis opens the episode by contrasting Biden’s approach with former President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. She highlights Biden’s efforts to “rebuild and add to those alliances” after Trump’s administration took a more isolationist stance.

Mara Liasson [00:52]:
Mara Liasson agrees, stating, “he rebuilt the Western alliance, NATO... kept the Western alliance together to support Ukraine.” She acknowledges Biden’s success in restoring ties with NATO, especially in the context of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Key Takeaway:
Biden’s administration marked a significant pivot back to multilateralism and strengthening traditional alliances, reversing Trump's isolationist policies. This shift has been pivotal in shaping the current geopolitical landscape, particularly in supporting Ukraine.

2. The Afghanistan Withdrawal

Susan Davis [02:03]:
Susan probes into Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, a crucial early foreign policy challenge.

Greg Myhre [02:03]:
Greg Myhre provides a detailed account:
“Biden announced the plan to pull out in the spring of 2021... the US ultimately evacuated about 125,000 Afghans.” He discusses the chaotic nature of the withdrawal, including the tragic events at Kabul airport, “a suicide bombing that killed 13 American troops” [02:03].

Mara Liasson [03:35]:
Mara emphasizes, “Trump laid the groundwork for that messy withdrawal... Biden takes the blame for the big mess.” She notes the political repercussions, mentioning Biden’s declining approval ratings post-withdrawal.

Key Takeaway:
The Afghanistan withdrawal was a defining moment in Biden’s presidency, marked by chaos and significant loss of American and Afghan lives. While the decision to withdraw was initiated by Trump, Biden bore the brunt of the political fallout, impacting his approval ratings and legacy.

3. Support for Ukraine Amid Russian Invasion

Susan Davis [04:22]:
Susan transitions to Biden’s response to the “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.

Greg Myhre [04:39]:
Greg explains, “Biden strongly supported Ukraine... became the first president to go to a conflict zone where US Troops were not actually involved.” He details Biden’s efforts in rallying a coalition of over 50 countries to provide military, economic, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. Myhre also highlights the evolving challenges as the war drags on, with criticisms from Republicans and some Ukrainians feeling the US support is insufficient.

Mara Liasson [07:40]:
Mara discusses the internal political strains in the Republican Party over Ukraine aid, tracing back to Trump’s impeachment related to Ukraine policy:
“Donald Trump has had a long time animus to Ukraine... on the radar screen as an opponent to Trump.”

Key Takeaway:
Biden’s robust support for Ukraine against Russian aggression underscored his commitment to traditional alliances and global security. However, prolonged conflict and evolving dynamics have led to political pushback and debates over the adequacy of US support.

4. The Israel-Hamas Conflict and Democratic Party Divisions

Susan Davis [09:37]:
Susan revisits Biden’s foreign policy in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and his subsequent visit to reinforce US support.

Greg Myhre [09:57]:
Greg elaborates on the conflict, stating, “Biden backed Israel to the hilt with political support, military support.” He describes Israel’s intense military response in Gaza and the resulting civilian casualties, noting the toll has “surpassed 44,000” with over half being women and children. Myhre points out the shifting regional focus towards Lebanon and Syria as attention wanes.

Mara Liasson [11:19]:
Mara addresses internal Democratic divisions, mentioning that Kamala Harris may have lost votes in states like Michigan due to contentious support for Israel:
“There's no doubt that that split will be part of Biden's legacy.”

Susan Davis [11:53]:
Susan highlights the stark difference between Biden and Trump on foreign policy, especially regarding Israel.

Key Takeaway:
The Israel-Hamas conflict has exposed significant fissures within the Democratic Party, balancing unwavering support for Israel with concerns over civilian casualties and regional stability. This division poses challenges for Biden’s administration and Democratic unity.

5. US-China Relations: Continuity Amid Leadership Changes

Susan Davis [12:14]:
Susan shifts focus to US-China relations, noting a bipartisan consensus on viewing China as a major competitor and opponent.

Mara Liasson [12:14]:
Mara concurs, stating, “there’s been a continuity between Trump, Biden and I expect Trump again on China.” She observes bipartisan efforts to counter China’s influence, including bolstering US defenses and reducing dependency on Chinese manufacturing.

Greg Myhre [12:50]:
Greg contrasts Biden and Trump’s approaches:
“Biden has taken a number of steps with this so called pivot to Asia... upgraded something called the Quad...” He details Biden’s investments in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and military alliances, contrasting with Trump’s focus on tariffs and punitive measures.

Key Takeaway:
US-China policy remains a cornerstone of Biden’s foreign policy, characterized by strategic alliances, technological investments, and military preparedness. This approach ensures continuity across administrations, emphasizing a unified stance against China’s rising influence.

6. Biden’s Legacy and the Future of US Foreign Policy

Susan Davis [13:57]:
Susan reflects on Biden’s legacy, contemplating whether his administration represents the end of the post-World War II era of American global dominance.

Mara Liasson [14:26]:
Mara posits, “this might be the end of the post-Cold War era,” while acknowledging uncertainties such as the ongoing situation in Syria and the potential return of Trump’s isolationist tendencies.

Greg Myhre [15:10]:
Greg assesses that Biden did not originally intend to be a “foreign policy president,” focusing instead on COVID-19 and the economy. However, global crises necessitated his active involvement in foreign affairs. He concludes, “it’s hard to draw any final conclusions at this point.”

Key Takeaway:
Biden’s foreign policy legacy is still unfolding, shaped by critical events and evolving international challenges. Whether his administration marks the culmination of a globalist approach or a transitional phase remains to be seen, especially with the potential shift under a returning Trump presidency.

Conclusion

Joe Biden’s foreign policy has been characterized by rebuilding alliances, robust support for Ukraine, complex involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, and a strategic stance against China. While his administration has restored traditional alliances and taken decisive actions in response to global crises, ongoing conflicts and internal political divisions pose challenges to his legacy. The future trajectory of US foreign policy will significantly influence how Biden's efforts are ultimately perceived and remembered.

Notable Quotes:

• Mara Liasson [00:52]:
  “He rebuilt the Western alliance, NATO... kept the Western alliance together to support Ukraine.”

• Greg Myhre [02:03]:
  “The US ultimately evacuated about 125,000 Afghans.”

• Greg Myhre [04:39]:
  “Biden strongly supported Ukraine... became the first president to go to a conflict zone where US Troops were not actually involved.”

• Mara Liasson [11:19]:
  “There's no doubt that that split will be part of Biden's legacy.”

• Mara Liasson [12:14]:
  “There’s been a continuity between Trump, Biden and I expect Trump again on China.”

This comprehensive analysis provides a nuanced understanding of President Biden’s foreign policy endeavors, their successes and setbacks, and the broader implications for the United States' role on the global stage.