As the election draws near, foreign policy is taking center stage in the upcoming debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in Atlanta. The Biden campaign, while hoping to focus on domestic issues such as economy and reproductive rights, has been forced to address foreign policy concerns due to ongoing global instability, right-wing isolationist tendencies, and two hot wars.
Biden’s first term has been heavily focused on foreign policy, with recent trips to Europe and growing concerns about world events diverting attention from domestic issues. While there is no scheduled debate solely dedicated to foreign policy, Biden’s advisers expect the topic to arise during the broader discussion on Thursday night.
Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, has been leading discussions on foreign policy preparations at Camp David this week. A campaign official has stated that Biden will emphasize his contrasts with Trump on issues of standing up to dictators and defending freedom, labeling Trump as dangerous and reckless.
On the other hand, Trump has criticized Biden for presiding over a chaotic world, claiming things were calmer during his own presidency. However, Trump’s positions on key foreign policy areas have been inconsistent, causing difficulties in identifying clear lines of attack for Biden.
Despite risks and criticisms from both progressives and Republicans, Biden has continued to navigate foreign policy challenges such as the war in Gaza and support for Ukraine. The president hopes to demonstrate American leadership on the world stage, while painting Trump as someone who abandoned allies, cozied up to dictators, and made the world less safe.
In the end, Biden faces the challenge of balancing foreign affairs with domestic issues, while seeking to reassure the American people that he is committed to standing up for sovereignty, freedom, and against tyranny on the global stage.
