As Donald Trump prepares to take office as the 47th President of the United States, it's an opportune time to reflect on Joe Biden's presidency. The American people's decisive vote in favour of Trump, despite his controversies, especially the events of January 6th Capitol Hill attack and him personally being convicted as a felon, suggests a strong desire for change. The Democrats' failure to get Vice President Kamala Harris win the elections further underscores Trump's enduring popularity.
From an American perspective, the economy appears to have struggled under Biden, significantly impacting the middle class. Although the Biden administration made notable progress in controlling inflation and creating jobs, the electorate's rejection of his policies renders these achievements somewhat moot. Leaving economics aside it is however important to judge the years the Biden will soon be bidding away from an international perspective, particularly given the tumultuous legacy he leaves behind.
Biden's actions in Ukraine and his handling of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 are notable examples of this legacy. While some argue that these events were beyond his control, the botched evacuation of American troops from Afghanistan remains a significant blunder for which he needs to own up responsibility.�
The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has left the region more destabilized than it was 20 years ago when the U.S. and its allies first deployed troops. At that time, some level of control could be exerted over the Taliban regime through the Pakistani establishment. However, the current strained relations between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government have made the Afghan situation even more precarious. Compounding the issue, millions of dollars' worth of U.S. military assets left behind are gradually finding their way into the hands of regional terror organizations. A more orderly withdrawal could have mitigated many of these challenges.
The global community, including Americas European allies, was appalled by how the White House managed the exit. The world watched in shock as chaotic scenes unfolded at Kabul airport, with desperate Afghans attempting to board U.S. aircraft to escape the Talibans resurgence. The haunting image of a young man clinging to the undercarriage of an aircraft as it took off became a symbol of the withdrawals human toll.
It is no exaggeration to suggest that this perceived American weakness emboldened adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Observing President Bidens desire to discontinue US military presence in Afghanistan, Putin correctly calculated that a similar approach would prevail if Russia took military action in Ukraine, leading to his subsequent invasion.�
When Russia invaded Ukraine, the lack of direct intervention by the U.S. and NATO left Ukrainians to fight the war on their own. President Biden failed to call Putins bluff that American troops in Ukraine would escalate into a direct U.S.-Russia conflict. Instead, the White House imposed strict economic sanctions on Russia. However, the Russian economy proved resilient, absorbing the impact of these measures. Meanwhile, the sanctions caused collateral damage by driving up Brent crude prices. The global energy crisis could have worsened if China and India had not opted to purchase Russian crude, thereby stabilizing oil prices from Gulf suppliers. Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to deploy long-range weapons deep into Russian territory came late in his presidency and was viewed as too little and too late for the nearly defeated Ukrainian military.
While Democrats might disagree, a critical question remains: if Trump had been President, would Hamas have dared to commit the atrocities of October 7, 2023, in Israel?�
Furthermore, Democrats must retrospect whether Kamala Harris was the right candidate to challenge Trump. Both Democratic and Republican parties follow established procedures for electing presidential candidates through National Conventions. While Trump faced the electoral process and emerged as the clear choice for Republicans, what process did Harris undergo?�
And who bears responsibility for this decision?�
The Democrats find themselves in a highly embarrassing situation following President Bidens decision to grant an unconditional presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, clearing him of all corruption charges. This move could fuel speculation that Bidens decision to seek a second termdespite concerns about his healthwas motivated, at least in part, by a desire to shield his son from legal repercussions. Such a precedent may also embolden Trump to take similar action to absolve himself of corruption charges when he assumes presidency.
It seems President Bidens legacy is not the kind that future US Presidents would like to emulate.
