Biden notes “remarkable sweep of history” in his final United Nations address as president
President Biden on Tuesday delivered his final speech to the United Nations General Assembly as president — and what could be one of his last speeches on the world stage — capping a decades-long political career that has focused heavily on foreign policy.
He noted the “remarkable sweep of history” he had seen in his over 50 years in public service, and expressed optimism, despite the continuing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
“Even from the horrors of war, there’s a way forward,” Mr. Biden said. “Things can get better. We should never forget that.”
doing enough to secure a deal. Mr. Biden said the “world must not flinch” from the horrors of Oct. 7, and innocent civilians in Gaza are “also going through hell.”
“Since Oct. 7, we’ve also been determined to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire region,” the president said. “Hezbollah, unprovoked, joined the Oct. 7 attack launching rockets into Israel. Almost a year later, too many on each side of the Israeli Lebanon border remain displaced. Full scale war is not in anyone’s interest.”
Missiles slammed into southern Lebanon on Monday, killing nearly 500 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, as Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah weapons hidden in residential buildings. The explosions came as Israel heralded a new wave of attacks on the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, warning civilians to flee from any buildings or areas where the organization had weapons or fighters positioned. A senior administration official called the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon “delicate and dangerous.”
Seth Wenig / AP
Russia’s war on Ukraine is also a focus of UNGA, as it was last year, and Mr. Biden has made rallying the world around Ukraine a key theme of his presidency. On Tuesday, Mr. Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin has “failed” at his core aim — saying Ukraine is still free, and NATO is “bigger, stronger, more united” than ever before.
Following former President Donald Trump’s presidency, which had more isolationist tendencies toward allies, Mr. Biden has emphasized that close relationships with allies are in America’s best interest. He reiterated that sentiment on Tuesday.
“My fellow leaders, I truly believe we’re at another inflection point in world history where the choices we make today will determine our future for decades to come,” Mr. Biden said Tuesday. “Will we stand behind the principles that unite us? Will we stand firm against aggression? Will we end the conflicts that are raging today? Will we take on global challenges like climate change, hunger and disease?”
It’s a busy week in foreign policy for the president, who met with the leaders of the Indo-Pacific security partners — Japan, Australia and India — over the weekend at his Wilmington, Delaware home. He’ll be meeting with world leaders on the sidelines of UNGA, as well as meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House Thursday.
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contributed to this report.
Kathryn Watson
Source: cbsnews.com