Biden to talk about Middle East and Ukraine in UN farewell address

President Joe Biden is gearing up to deliver his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, as well as the looming one-year mark of Israel’s bloody operation against Hamas in Gaza.

Biden’s speech is anticipated to focus on the urgent need to end the conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan, while also underscoring the unwavering support of the U.S. and its Western allies for Kyiv following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

This appearance at the international body offers Biden one of his last prominent platforms as president to advocate for continued robust backing for Ukraine, a stance that could potentially be challenged if former President Donald Trump emerges victorious over Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November election.

Having pledged to rejuvenate U.S. relations globally and to extricate the country from prolonged military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq, Biden has largely delivered on both fronts. However, the verdict on his foreign policy legacy is expected to hinge on his administration’s handling of the significant conflicts in Europe and the Middle East since World War II.

Amid rising tensions, the Pentagon announced a deployment of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, supplementing the 40,000 already stationed in the region. Despite the escalation, the White House remains steadfast in its call for both Israel and Hezbollah to step back and de-escalate the situation.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the urgency of a swift diplomatic resolution, stressing that it is in everyone’s best interest to resolve the crisis peacefully. Biden’s administration officials are engaged in discussions on potential solutions to prevent further escalation between Israel and Lebanon, alongside other countries keen on offering strategies to ease tensions.

Biden harbored hopeful prospects for the Middle East in his U.N. address just a year ago, envisioning a “sustainable, integrated Middle East” on the horizon. Despite progress made with the Abraham Accords signed by Israel with Bahrain, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, the region was plunged back into turmoil following the violent Hamas incursion in Israel last year.

Currently, Israel and Hezbollah are embroiled in a deadly exchange of strikes, with the death toll rising rapidly and thousands fleeing southern Lebanon. This recent barrage marks the deadliest clash since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, underscoring the precarious situation at hand.

Israel has issued evacuations in southern Lebanon, alleging the presence of Hezbollah weapons in civilian structures, while Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket attacks on northern Israel. The conflict escalated after Hamas initiated hostilities last October, prompting increased Israeli military operations and calls for de-escalation by White House senior adviser Amos Hochstein.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Western support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia will also feature prominently in Biden’s address. The U.S. has rallied international backing for Ukraine with military and economic assistance in response to Putin’s assault last February, despite skepticism from some quarters regarding the conflict’s costs.

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has requested the relaxation of restrictions on the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to bolster Ukrainian forces’ capabilities against Russia. However, the Pentagon has hesitated on this matter, citing strategic concerns about potential escalation with Russia.

The Biden administration has gradually warmed up to providing Ukraine with advanced weaponry, a shift from its initial cautious approach. As Biden prepares to meet Zelenskyy this week along with Vice President Harris, the stakes remain high in navigating the complex geopolitical landscape in the region.

Amidst these escalating conflicts, Biden’s final address at the U.N. serves as a crucial moment to underline the importance of diplomacy, international cooperation, and unwavering support for vulnerable nations in the face of aggression and unrest.

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