Biden Reflects on Foreign Policy Achievements in Final Week of Presidency

In his last week in office, President Biden intends to deliver a key speech reaffirming his administration's foreign policy accomplishments, focusing on stronger U.S. alliances and the relative weakening of adversarial nations. This marks a significant moment for the president as he seeks to shape his legacy before the transition of power to President-elect Trump.

As President Joe Biden enters his final week in office, he is set to deliver a speech on Monday that aims to highlight his foreign policy achievements and assert that the United States has emerged stronger during his presidency. With only seven days until he transfers power to President-elect Donald J. Trump, Biden is eager to make a historical case for his transformative leadership, arguing that he reinforced U.S. alliances internationally while diminishing the strength of adversarial nations.

The speech, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the State Department, will focus on Biden's perceived successes regarding U.S. foreign relations. It will highlight collaborative efforts in Europe to counter Russian threats, as well as initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region to meet the challenges posed by China's ascent. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan previewed the speech, stating that Biden will assert, “Every element of American power is stronger today,” and will affirm through his rhetoric that America is indeed stronger now than it was four years ago.

This speech marks the beginning of a series of addresses intended to bolster Biden's public legacy as his term concludes. He is also set to deliver a televised farewell address to the nation later this week, alongside speeches discussing his environmental policies and a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Myers-Henderson Hall.

Biden's presidency has been tumultuous, notably grappling with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, which critics, including Trump, claim have destabilized global relations. Detractors have argued that the current perception of escalating global tensions under Biden has taken a toll on his domestic popularity, leading to increased pressure that forced him to withdraw from the 2024 election.

As Biden prepares to bid farewell, his administration's narrative of bolstering international alliances will be a point of contention in debates around his legacy and impact on global diplomacy.