America’s closest allies are deeply concerned by what they regard as calamitous recent leadership from President Joe Biden.
The president’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan sits center stage here, but it is seen by allies as only one element of a broader issue — namely, Biden’s blending of arrogant disdain with an incapacity for introspection. Allies have been shocked by Biden’s furious reaction to even mild criticism over his Afghanistan policy. They are equally alarmed by the president’s proud disdain for the plight of allies that Biden’s inaugural address promised to honor.
A senior British parliamentarian and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Tom Tugendhat, generated widespread acclaim for his Wednesday speech to the House of Commons. Referencing his pride over serving alongside the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, Tugendhat lambasted Biden for his “shameful” criticisms of Afghan soldiers who fought alongside America. Tugendhat’s words met cheers from across the chamber.
Those cheers did not spring forth from the ether.
The British government remains comfortable with its coordination with the Biden administration on issues such as Russia, climate change, and tensions with Iran. But it is increasingly concerned that Biden is ultimately unreliable. Seeing horrific images out of Afghanistan and the apparent impotence of American power, allies have wanted reassurance. Instead, they have seen Biden sequester himself in the forests at Camp David. Some allies are now asking whether Biden even has the capacity to do his job.
This concern over Biden’s leadership detachment has significantly catalyzed Franco-German discussions on the need to develop an independent security policy. Such a development undermines Biden’s interest in developing a more coordinated Western front against China.
Europe’s new uncertainty over Biden has added import alongside the continuing U.S. travel ban on flights from Britain and the European Union. While the lifting of that ban is a top priority on the part of U.S. allies, the White House has been radio silent as to when, how, or by what metric the ban might be lifted.
Biden does not appear to care.
Astonishingly, the president’s Afghanistan speech on Monday neglected to include a reaffirmation of America’s commitment to NATO’s mutual defense assurances or to the defense of U.S. treaty allies in the Pacific. National security adviser Jake Sullivan did emphasize these commitments Tuesday, but his words cannot substitute for Biden.
Other U.S. allies have noticed. China has already weaponized Afghanistan’s collapse to exert new pressure on Taiwan. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen felt obliged to respond, tweeting Wednesday, “As we look at events taking place around the world, I want to make clear that Taiwanese are committed to the defense of our nation.”
Translation: “We cannot rely on Biden or America.”
Biden might take solace amid the trees, but his credibility as the leader of the free world is evaporating.
