Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Israel-Hamas
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
    • North Korea
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Grand strategy / Biden’s foreign policy meant little more than retreat, equivocation, and surrender
Grand strategy, Alliances

October 28, 2024

Biden’s foreign policy meant little more than retreat, equivocation, and surrender

By Daniel DePetris

All presidents vacate the White House hoping to be remembered in the history books. Many past holders of the office have succeeded in this endeavour.

Richard Nixon, most remembered for resigning in disgrace after the Watergate scandal, was nonetheless a savvy foreign policy operator who promoted détente with the Soviet Union and turned the page on US relations with China. Jimmy Carter, caricatured as one of America’s worst commanders-in-chief, brokered the Camp David Accords that established peace between Israel and Egypt after multiple wars between them. Ronald Reagan presided over landmark arms control agreements with the Soviet Union; George H W Bush will be remembered for the resounding US victory in Operation Desert Storm. Barack Obama and Donald Trump had their own signature diplomatic initiatives, the Iran nuclear deal and the Abraham Accords respectively.

President Joe Biden’s four years are different. It’s difficult to parse through his record and come away with a memorable foreign policy accomplishment. Asked to name one, Biden’s supporters frequently tout the president’s mastery in alliance building, particularly in Asia, where US relations with Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines all improved under his watch. Ties between the US and Germany are far better today than they were four years ago. And to Biden’s credit, US troops are no longer fighting a pointless, unending counterinsurgency against the Taliban in Afghanistan that drained US military resources and distracted Washington from more important national security priorities.

Read at The Telegraph

Author

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Western Hemisphere

op-edGrand strategy

DOGE Has Its Sights on the Defense Department

By Gil Barndollar

May 9, 2025

op-edGrand strategy

Trump’s Big, Bloated Defense Budget

By Daniel DePetris

May 7, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Alliances

Geography has given the US unrivaled security. Trump is destroying it

By Gil Barndollar and Rajan Menon

May 4, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, China, Israel‑Hamas

The frenetic foreign policy of President Donald Trump’s first 100 days

By Daniel DePetris

April 29, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Trump is learning America isn’t as powerful as he thought

By Daniel DePetris

April 24, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Americas, Drones

Trump’s idea to use drones strikes in Mexico could make cartel violence worse

By Daniel DePetris

April 10, 2025

Events on Grand strategy

See All Events
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

Past Virtual Event: China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025
virtualGrand strategy, Basing and force posture, Burden sharing, Global posture, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: National Defense Strategy: Underfunded or overstretched?

October 31, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved