President Biden currently faces a pivotal moment. With his re-election campaign no longer a factor, his primary focus should be on confronting the global threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleashed on the West.
The conflict in Ukraine is spiraling into a larger global crisis, resembling the early stages of World War III. An alliance of adversaries is forming against the United States and Europe, placing democracy under siege. The White House must move beyond strategies to maintain the status quo.
In Asia, Taiwan faces increasing pressure from China, while the Russian Wagner Group is destabilizing African democracies and supporting authoritarian regimes like Venezuela. In the Middle East, Israel is surrounded by militias backed by Iran, which is also expandding its nuclear ambitions and fostering new threats in Jordan.
Joe Biden must rise above partisan politics and focus on global security
Old enemies are regrouping as well. ISIS and al-Qaeda are stirring unrest in Syria and Iraq, and recent threats at events like a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna show their determination to recruit and radicalize youth online.
The most intense front in this global conflict is in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have pushed into Russian territory, challenging every boundary set by Putin since his invasion in 2022. The fight for democracy is now a matter of survival. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his military are ready to defend their nation and, by extension, the democratic values of the West.
Winning the war in Ukraine could neutralize several of the broader security threats facing NATO and the Indo-Pacific allies. Containing Moscow would isolate Iran and curb its influence, potentially stabilizing regions like Venezuela and Cuba, and sending a strong message to China’s Xi Jinping that democracies remain resilient in the face of adversity.
For Biden to achieve this, he must rise above partisan politics and focus on global security. The upcoming election is less important than securing a lasting legacy of defending democracy and countering authoritarian aggression. History will judge him not on electoral outcomes but on whether he set the stage to triumph in this burgeoning global conflict, or allowed American power to wane.
The optics of leadership are crucial during such times. Biden’s recent retreat to a Delaware beach sent an alarming signal to adversaries like Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran, suggesting a lack of active leadership. This is particularly concerning given the volatile situations in Ukraine and Israel, where the stakes are extremely high.
With Eastern Europe and the Middle East on the brink of major conflict, Biden needs to be visibly leading from the front, possibly addressing the nation from the Oval Office about the escalating global threat. Putin has mobilized Russia for total war, with a huge portion of the country’s budget directed toward military efforts.
The U.S. appears to be taking a more relaxed approach. Xi has also consolidated power in China and is aggressively expanding the military. For Biden to protect global democracy, he must prioritize Ukraine and Israel as the critical battlefronts.
Ukraine has demonstrated its capability in recent military actions, and the U.S. should increase its support with more advanced weaponry and fewer restrictions. The strategic importance of Crimea in this conflict cannot be overstated, and the U.S. must help Ukraine make it untenable for Russian forces.
In Israel, Biden must decisively confront Hamas, demanding their unconditional surrender. The U.S. must target figures like Yahya Sinwar, who has been responsible for the deaths of Americans and continues to hold hostages. The administration should abandon any illusions of Sinwar as a peace partner.
Biden must also recognize the threat posed by Iran, which is advancing its nuclear program, as confirmed by the IAEA and U.S. intelligence reports. Failing to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions could lead to catastrophic consequences in the Middle East. Past administrations have postponed dealing with this issue, but Biden must face it head-on to avoid a potential disaster.
Global conflicts often arise when least expected, and democratic nations must be prepared. Currently, Ukraine and Israel are on the front lines of this emerging global war. If Biden did not empower these allies to succeed, the United States would soon find itself directly involved in World War III.
