Biden's Foreign Policy: A Global License for Dictators to Run Wild

 

Biden’s foreign policy model is nothing more than a cowardly retreat, signaling to the world that America is too afraid to confront tyrants and rogue regimes.

President Biden’s foreign policy is like trying to fix a leak with a band-aid—it doesn’t hold up under pressure. From Russia to Venezuela to Iran, Biden’s message has been clear: “We will do anything to avoid escalation.” This approach has been a recurring theme, and frankly, it's costing the U.S. more than it's solving.

Take Russia, for example. When Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine, Biden was hesitant to arm Ukraine with long-range weapons that could strike Russian military targets. Despite expert advice that such actions could cripple Russia’s operations and expedite an end to the war, Biden hesitated. The fear of escalation kept him from taking bolder measures, and now the conflict drags on. The sanctions slapped on Russia, while significant, have not been foolproof either. The Russian economy is limping but not down for the count. Russia continues to find ways to fund its war machine through alternative economic partnerships, particularly with nations like China. It’s almost as if Biden is playing a waiting game, hoping Putin will simply run out of gas. But here's the kicker—Russia’s military operations in Ukraine haven't stopped, and the diplomatic moves haven't yielded any meaningful change. If Biden thought avoiding a bigger confrontation would protect global stability, the continuing conflict shows otherwise.

The situation in Venezuela offers another grim portrait of Biden's reluctance to confront adversaries decisively. In lifting sanctions on Venezuela, the Biden administration hoped to push the country toward democratic reforms and open dialogues. But has this happened? Not exactly. Despite years of U.S. sanctions, Maduro still holds the reins in Venezuela, and opposition parties remain fragmented. Biden's softer approach of negotiation and engagement hasn't yielded the democratic rebirth he anticipated. Instead, Venezuela’s government continues to suppress its people, and the nation’s political crisis is far from over. Meanwhile, Venezuelans continue to flee by the millions, seeking refuge in neighboring countries and even the U.S. If Biden’s strategy was meant to foster stability, it looks more like he's allowing dictators to play musical chairs, keeping themselves in power while their citizens suffer.

Let’s not forget Iran and its regional proxies, particularly the Houthis. Under Biden, Iran’s influence in the Middle East has hardly been curtailed. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have targeted over 100 ships in the Red Sea, sinking two and hijacking another. These attacks threaten global shipping routes, but what has been Biden’s response? A tap on the wrist. The administration imposed limited sanctions but stopped short of hitting Iran where it would really hurt—its oil and financial sectors. Again, Biden's obsession with avoiding escalation means rogue states like Iran feel emboldened to push the boundaries. The Houthis, far from being chastened, continue their maritime attacks. It's like giving a thief a slap on the hand and expecting them not to rob again.

Mexico is another country where Biden's foreign policy has faltered. Despite rising concerns over illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border, Biden has shied away from confronting Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) on issues like trade practices or border security. Instead of taking a hard line, Biden has been cautious, hoping that cooperation will naturally result in better outcomes. But the result is that AMLO has little incentive to crack down on cartels that profit from human trafficking, nor does he seem motivated to address the economic disparities that drive mass migration. If Biden continues to treat Mexico as a partner in name only, the U.S. will see no end to the border crisis anytime soon.

The overarching theme of Biden’s foreign policy is clear: avoid confrontation at all costs. This approach is not only short-sighted but dangerous. Dictators and rogue states aren’t fooled—they see Biden’s hesitation as weakness. Every time he hesitates, it sends a message: “We can push a little harder, and the U.S. will back down.” In the past two years, this has played out time and again. Rogue states like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela have found themselves emboldened, not deterred.

In a world where strongmen like Putin and Maduro rule with an iron fist, Biden’s strategy is akin to bringing a knife to a gunfight. His reluctance to take decisive, long-term actions is allowing authoritarian regimes to strengthen while the U.S. projects a posture of appeasement. Sure, diplomacy is important. But when diplomacy is the only tool in the toolbox, it becomes a crutch. And this crutch is leading America into dangerous territory.

In foreign policy, as in life, there’s a saying: “Give someone an inch, and they’ll take a mile.” Biden's foreign policy is proving this adage true. By giving dictators like Putin, Maduro, and Iran’s Supreme Leader an inch, he’s allowing them to take miles—miles that the U.S. may struggle to regain in the future.

So, if foreign policy is supposed to be Biden's strong suit, then America is in real trouble. The constant fear of escalation has made the U.S. look weak on the global stage, encouraging dictators to take bigger risks, knowing the U.S. won’t respond forcefully. Perhaps it's time for Biden to realize that the path of least resistance might just be leading the country down a very dangerous road.