Behind the News: The Belligerence of Biden-Harris w/ Anatol Lieven
Oct 21, 2024
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Anatol Lieven, Director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute, analyzes the aggressive tactics of the Biden-Harris foreign policy, touching on military entanglements in Ukraine and the Middle East. Writer Lily Lynch delves into the political chaos in the Balkans, examining the region's leadership decline and emigration trends. They explore the complexities of U.S.-China tensions and critique America's interventionist stance. Together, they highlight the historical factors shaping these geopolitical dynamics and the implications for global stability.
Biden-Harris foreign policy is marked by aggressive interventionism, drawing on neoconservative ideologies that exacerbate tensions with countries like Russia and China.
The Balkans face a demographic and economic crisis, with high emigration rates stemming from political corruption and a diminishing hope for EU integration.
Deep dives
Biden's Aggressive Foreign Policy
The current administration's foreign policy under President Biden exhibits a notably aggressive stance, particularly evident in the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. This belligerence has been reinforced by influential endorsements from neoconservative figures, many of whom previously supported interventions such as the Iraq War. Critiques suggest that the ideological basis for such policies aligns with the Wolfowitz Doctrine, which advocates for unchallenged U.S. dominance globally and the ability to impose its interests on other nations. This approach, marked by a refusal to acknowledge or negotiate with nations holding opposing views, contributes to rising tensions with other superpowers, notably China and Russia, while reflecting a transformation in the American political landscape where both major parties appear in agreement on the need for interventionism.
Implications of NATO Expansion
The ongoing situation in Ukraine is shaped significantly by the historical context of NATO's expansion, which has increasingly provoked Russian responses. Several experts, including influential diplomats, have pointed out that NATO's dominance was premised on excluding any Russian security influence over adjacent regions, which has led to significant geopolitical conflicts. Despite recognizing the U.S. role in exacerbating tensions, commentators stress that this understanding does not excuse the invasion but highlights the complexity of vital interests at stake. The missed opportunities for compromise between Russia and Ukraine at various stages of the conflict indicate a severe misjudgment by Western powers regarding the feasibility of imposing absolute demands in a deteriorating situation.
China's Rising Influence
The relationship between the U.S. and China is increasingly characterized by attempts at containment, both economically and strategically, as the U.S. seeks to mitigate China's rise as a global competitor. However, the robust economic growth of China poses challenges to the West's efforts, which often stem from an outdated mindset reminiscent of the Cold War. While the U.S. can leverage its historical alignment with various global elites wary of communism, the absence of a similar unifying threat from China complicates the geopolitical landscape. Countries worldwide remain reluctant to align strictly with either superpower, resisting demands for loyalty that could alienate potential partners and exacerbate global tensions.
Challenges in the Balkans
The Balkans face a dire demographic crisis as vast populations leave in search of better opportunities, leading to the transformation of once-thriving villages into ghost towns. The economic disparity between the Balkans and Western Europe drives emigration, compounded by high unemployment rates and a lack of optimism for the future. Following a period of hope post-communism, many individuals have become disillusioned, with aspirations for EU membership diminishing amid two decades of stagnation. The complex interplay of political corruption, external influences, and environmental issues contributes to a pervasive sense of despair, leading residents to seek opportunities abroad rather than invest in their homeland.
Anatol Lieven dissects the ambitiously aggressive grand design of the Biden-Harris foreign policy. Lily Lynch, author of a recent article for The Baffler, talks about the emptying out of the Balkans.
Behind the News, hosted by Doug Henwood, covers the worlds of economics and politics and their complex interactions, from the local to the global. Find the archive online: https://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/radio.html
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