Biden must widen the US global policy 

By SK Nag

 Joe Biden’s leadership is somewhat falling short and found to open up the predicament amid the crisis. The global expectation was high to insulate the planet from the ongoing battle for long. This battle started on the ground a week ago, but the bone of contention has long historical reasons. The uprising of the many not-so-desired activities in today’s world makes the globe feel that the US has been losing the glory of superpower anymore. On the other hand, Russia is flexing military muscles on Ukraine. China kept on making proxy war with Taiwan, and perhaps after this war, China will be motivated to follow the same template. The issues are becoming increasingly ugly and do not comply with the much-needed global peace and prosperity. Devastation due to the arms race should have gone by this time. Despite having so many world associations, summits, and whatnot, the required friendship and togetherness are not developed, and we did not achieve peace on the planet.

The relationship between Tehran and Washington was already strained during the tenure of the last president Donald Trump and showing no sign of improvement even now. Iran’s current demand of fair probe and trial by the US to punish them who are responsible for killing their military commander General Soleimani on 3 January ’20. Although the US and Iran have been fighting shadow war for many decades, the differences are now visibly open and predominantly seen impacting global politics. The macho administrative touch is grossly absent in the US diplomatic discourse. The world feels that the US is running short of the direction that the world deserves to expect from them. Under the leadership of the US, nuclear strength reduction policy around the globe has not picked up the desired speed.
Iran’s warning message to the US had already shown a fearless attitude of the country against the US. It overtly indicated that they are no longer taken seriously as big brothers. All collectively summarise a global disturbance brewing across the planet. Indirect impact on Humanity at large will be seen in the coming decades. Instead of coming together to bid adieu the nuclear weaponization, secret and clandestine arrangements are made to strengthen the individual military capacity. The globe currently needs a leader who can be a general to mitigate all dichotomy and discordant situations between the countries leading the next millennium.
The world has always wanted the USA to play the role of a big brother, but gradually the performance of the US administration is deficiently meeting the challenges. The current problem of Russia with Ukraine is not a good lead indicator to world peace disruption. The Czech Republic reacted sharply against Russia and sent messages to the rest of the world of imminent peace disruption long before this war broke out.
The hostility started in 2014, and in 2020 it became worse after Russian military augmentation in the border. It allowed the world to contemplate a bigger invasion plan for a long. The Czech, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia joined the EU between 2004 & 2007, and that has worried Russia. If Ukraine follows the same due to its internal economic pressure will disturb the Russian political leadership further. A western boundary wall restricting access to the black sea would be hindering their economic prospect. Their access to the global hydrocarbon market is routed through the black sea, including other commodities. With Ukraine joining the EU may make it more difficult for them to access the globe the way they are engaging now.
American sudden exit from Afghanistan has already created a situation that the rest of the world needs time to absorb. The world’s recognition of the Taliban government is a challenge that we have to endure for a long time. The US administration has spent years combating this Taliban force to stabilize world peace. Still, with the sudden withdrawal of the US army, the peaceful transition of power did not happen. Afghanistan’s geographic location is significant for international trade. Therefore, the situation of this country remained critical to catalyzing the prosperity of the world, especially the Asian countries.
The re-emergence of Russia & gaining importance of China will slowly outthrow the US from the role of a big brother, and the cold war situation will continue to exist (1947-1991). Initial diplomatic discourse with Emanuel’s position did not bring the required consensus. The meaningful conversation could not douse the tension between these countries. Putin labeled those discussions ‘without substance’ and sharply indicated that Russia would not flinch at any situation unless the world agreed to accept their demands. Therefore, Emanuel’s subsequent election success may not be an easy ride after this strike by Russia to Ukraine. Nicolas Sarkozy being hyperactive, provided a diplomatic solution to the world, reducing the intensity of turmoil between Russia & Georgia. Poland’s role in this crisis remains essential because of its historic participation in the European power game. Military augmentation by NATO in Poland did not bother Putin to step back. After ‘Perestroika/ Glasnost’ in 2008, Russia used military power to assert its international political objectives against the US hegemony. Taking over of Abkhazia by Russia was their first attempt on the list. The Russian parliament passed a motion known as ‘diplomatic recognition’ of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on 25 August ’2008. On 26 August, Medvedev recognized these two states. Because Russia thought NATO involvement would undermine their sovereignty due to too much foreign incursion. In the Bucharest summit, Apr’2008, Putin categorically expressed his dissatisfaction over NATO enlargement towards Russia, and he believed this would be a permanent threat to Russia. Following the summit, the Russian hostility increased and actively initiated the Georgia invasion.

The diplomatic breakthrough did not happen till today. This War broke out due to George Bush’s (in 2008) statement indicating the Membership Action Plan would be extended to Georgia & Ukraine to join NATO despite Russia’s strong objections. But what Europe leadership is doing all these days. To harvest peace, it has ended up dividing the entire globe into two halves.
But in the end, let diplomacy prevail, all we can hope.

(Author is Political & Economic Analyst. The views expressed are personal opinion of the author. He can be reached at saibal.iim@gmail.com)