SECTION 9: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

Why was President Biden called the “restorative president”?

Because his central mission was to "restore" — salvage America's damaged global reputation, rebuild allies' confidence, and remobilize the country and its partners to tackle global challenges after Trump's "America First" era.

What type of FP experience did Biden bring to the presidency?

U.S. Senator 1973-2009 (chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee twice), Vice President 2009-2017. A very experienced, pragmatic foreign policy hand — unlike Trump's total lack of governing/FP experience.

How similar was Biden’s liberal internationalism to Obama’s?

They had a very similar core philosophy: "America must lead again," restore the central U.S. role in the international system, prioritize diplomacy, rebuild alliances/multilateral institutions, use military force only as a last resort. Biden differed mostly by explicitly tieing foreign policy to helping the American MIDDLE CLASS and treating China as the top long-term strategic competitor.

What are some steps taken by Biden to restore US role in the international system?

He rejoined the Paris Climate Accords; returned the U.S. to the WHO (World Health Organization); rejoined the UN Human Rights Council; hosted a "Summit for Democracy"; signed the New START Treaty extension with Russia; reaffirmed NATO's Article 5; launched AUKUS (nuclear-powered submarines for Australia); pursued an Indo-Pacific Strategy.

What were some new executive orders (EOs) pushed out by Biden? What were some continuities from Trump 1.0?

NEW EOs: Halted rapid deportation programs; lifted travel bans on Muslim-majority countries; revoked the Keystone XL pipeline permit; appointed a Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (John Kerry).

CONTINUITIES from Trump: Did NOT reverse Trump's withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty; expanded (rather than dropped) the "Buy American" policy; kept a firm/critical stance on China over Xinjiang/Uighurs.

What was Biden's FP approach to Russia and it differ from Trump 1.0?

Much firmer/more confrontational — condemned cyberattacks (SolarWinds sanctions, 2021), unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty, and after Russia's Feb 2022 invasion of Ukraine, imposed heavy sanctions and sent massive military/economic aid ($10.6B within 6 months) — a sharp contrast to Trump's more ambiguous/admiring posture toward Putin.

What was Biden's FP approach to China and it differ from Trump 1.0?

Still treated as the top strategic competitor/challenger (concerns over economic practices, the human rights abuses in Hong Kong, Xinjiang), but paired competition with efforts to "stabilize" relations and avoid outright rupture — kept some Trump-era tariffs, but pursued more multilateral coordination (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, AUKUS, Quad) rather than Trump's go-it-alone trade war.

What was Biden's FP approach to NATO and it differ from Trump 1.0?

Reaffirmed and strengthened the alliance (unlike Trump's public criticism) — reaffirmed Article 5, invited Sweden and Finland to join, and strengthened deterrence posture against Russia.

Biden's pandemic response

vaccine diplomacy (donated ~80 million doses globally, $2 billion to COVAX), pushed to waive vaccine IP protections.

Biden's CLIMATE CHANGE FP

committed to cutting greenhouse gases 50% by 2030 (from 2005 levels) and net-zero by 2050; led at COP26 in Scotland.

Biden's IMMIGRATION FP

a more "welcoming and humane" approach (lifted travel bans) but still faced a serious border crisis.

Biden's TRADE FP

a "worker-centric" trade policy; tough on China's unfair practices; Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for EVs/clean energy; sanctions on Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and Crimea/Russia.

Why was the US role in dealing with COVID-19 such a crucial component of Biden’s FP?

COVID-19 was a GLOBAL crisis requiring international cooperation — Biden framed U.S. leadership on vaccines/global health as proof that America was back to leading multilaterally (rejoining the WHO, funding COVAX, donating vaccine doses), directly contrasting with Trump's withdrawal from the WHO and "go-it-alone" pandemic response. It was a symbolic and practical test of the "restorative" presidency.

Describe the Defense policy of Biden?

1. Emphasized the "responsible" use of force, with diplomacy as the FIRST tool (not military force).
2. Focused on the China threat by building new partnerships (India, Vietnam in Asia; Poland in Europe).
3. Continued modernizing both conventional and nuclear weapons.
4. Overall approach: restorative — work with allies, promote democratic cooperation, prioritize diplomacy.

What was Criticism surrounding the Defense policy of Biden?

1. Accused of being too broad/unfocused — dubbed "BIDEN'S EVERYTHING DOCTRINE".
2. Domestic decline (economic/political problems at home) raised doubts about whether the U.S. could credibly keep leading abroad.
3. Seen as lacking a coherent/clear China policy.
4. The chaotic August 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan was a major black mark on his foreign policy credibility.

What was “Biden’s Everything Doctrine”?

A critical label suggesting Biden's foreign policy tried to accomplish TOO MANY big, lofty goals all at once (restoring alliances + promoting democracy + tackling climate change + linking policy to the middle class + competing with China + managing Russia) WITHOUT a clear order of priorities — creating internal tensions between these goals rather than one focused, coherent strategy.

Explain Biden's verbal gaffes history?

Biden had a long history of verbal gaffes going back decades — this was a well-documented part of his public persona even in the 1980s and as VP. During his presidency, there were also numerous instances of him losing his train of thought, mixing up names or facts, and stumbling over words, which were widely covered by media. Some notable examples include: confusing world leaders, misstating dates, and struggling during the June 2024 debate against Trump, which was widely seen (including by many Democrats) as a turning point that raised serious concerns about his fitness and contributed to his withdrawal from the 2024 race in July 2024.