Biden's Final Week: Defending a Foreign Policy Legacy

In a bid to solidify his legacy before leaving office, President Biden will address the nation, highlighting his foreign policy accomplishments which he claims have strengthened America in the face of global challenges.

President Biden is set to embark on his final week in office, commencing his farewell messaging with a significant foreign policy speech scheduled for Monday afternoon. With only seven days before handing over the presidency to Donald J. Trump, Biden aims to portray himself as a transformative leader who has reinforced the United States both internationally and domestically during his one-term presidency.

The State Department venue will host his speech at 2 p.m., where he will outline what he believes are his key successes on the global stage. According to aides, Biden intends to emphasize the bolstered U.S. alliances in Europe against Russian aggression and strengthened ties in the Asian-Pacific region countering China's rise. Additionally, he will assert that the major U.S. adversaries—Russia, China, and Iran—are ostensibly weaker than when he assumed office. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan conveyed a preview on CNN's "State of the Union," stating, "Is America stronger than we were four years ago? The answer is definitively yes."

This address marks the beginning of an introspective week for Biden, who aims to provide a positive narrative about his presidency as it draws to a close, culminating in a televised farewell address on Wednesday evening. Other speeches throughout the week will cover his conservation initiatives and a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Myers-Henderson Hall.

Biden's tenure has indeed faced turbulence, particularly with ongoing conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza, which have been sources of criticism from Trump and others. Critics suggest that the perception of a world in turmoil and Biden's inability to exert control may have contributed to the challenges faced, including falling approval ratings and prompting his decision to withdraw from the upcoming election.