In what may be his last appearance before the United Nations General Assembly as President of the United States, Joe Biden delivered a wide-ranging speech that highlighted the gravity of global conflicts, the significance of multilateralism, and the urgent need for international cooperation in the face of mounting crises.
His address came at a precarious moment, with the world on the edge of new conflicts and old ones far from resolution. As the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza neared its one-year anniversary, and Israel’s tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon escalated toward all-out war, Biden’s call for diplomacy and peace carried extra weight.
“Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” Biden declared, warning of the dangers of allowing the region to slip further into chaos. He reiterated his commitment to pursuing a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, where violence has spiralled into devastating loss of life. With more than 41,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza and an Israeli military operation that shows no signs of winding down, Biden’s administration is facing growing scrutiny over its handling of the situation. Yet the president struck a hopeful note, expressing his enduring belief in the possibility of peace.
The stakes of this year’s General Assembly are high, not only for Biden’s foreign policy legacy but also for the future of U.S. engagement in global affairs. As he addressed world leaders, Biden took the opportunity to remind both his domestic and international audiences of the key achievements of his presidency while emphasising the continued importance of global cooperation. “We are stronger than we think when the world acts together,” he said, seeking to rally nations around a shared sense of purpose and responsibility.
A President’s Legacy on the World Stage
Since taking office in 2021, Biden has consistently sought to reassert America’s role as a leader in international diplomacy. His speech before the UN reflected this vision, framing the U.S. as an indispensable partner in addressing global challenges, from the war in Ukraine to the climate crisis, food insecurity, and the regulation of artificial intelligence. As Biden put it, his administration’s efforts have been aimed at rejuvenating the multilateral order that the U.S. helped establish after World War II, particularly through its support of the United Nations.
“I’ve seen a remarkable sweep of history,” Biden remarked, reflecting on the long arc of his career, which has spanned more than five decades in public service. From his first time attending the General Assembly more than 50 years ago to his present role as commander-in-chief, Biden has witnessed the ebb and flow of global conflicts, the rise of new powers, and the challenges of sustaining peace. His speech, therefore, was not just a report on the current state of international affairs but a reflection on the broader trajectory of global politics and America’s place in it.
Biden’s presidency has been marked by two major conflicts that have defined his foreign policy agenda: the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza. In addressing both issues, Biden sought to strike a balance between condemnation of aggression and calls for a diplomatic resolution. His administration has been a key player in rallying international support for Ukraine, providing weapons and economic assistance to Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, as the conflict drags on, there are signs that this support may be wavering, especially among Republicans in the U.S. and some European allies.
In his speech, Biden passionately pleaded for continued aid to Ukraine, warning that the stakes of the war extend far beyond Europe. “We cannot grow weary,” he urged, emphasising that Ukraine’s defence is crucial to preserving the global order and protecting democratic values. We cannot look away,” he added, in a clear rebuke to those who argue that the U.S. should reduce its involvement in the conflict.
At the same time, Biden’s focus on Ukraine comes when his administration grapples with new challenges in the Middle East. The ongoing war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s deadly attacks on Israel in October of last year, has led to a complex and bloody military campaign that shows no signs of resolution. While Biden has voiced strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself, he has also called for restraint and expressed concern about the humanitarian toll of the conflict. In his UN address, Biden reiterated his support for a two-state solution but offered few details on how his administration might revive peace talks that have long stalled.
The conflict in Gaza, which has now drawn in regional players like Hezbollah and threatens to spill over into a broader war, represents one of the most significant challenges to Biden’s foreign policy. Despite his administration’s efforts to broker cease-fires and manage diplomatic tensions, the situation in the Middle East remains volatile. “Our task, our test, is to make sure that the forces holding us together are stronger than the forces pulling us apart,” Biden said, acknowledging the fragility of the current moment.
The Long Shadow of Afghanistan
Biden’s approach to foreign policy has been shaped by his determination to end the U.S.’s involvement in “forever wars,” particularly the two-decade military engagement in Afghanistan. In his UN speech, Biden defended his decision to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan in 2021, calling it a “hard decision but the right decision.” The chaotic and deadly exit, which resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and hundreds of Afghan civilians in a suicide bombing, has been one of the most controversial aspects of Biden’s presidency. Yet, Biden framed the withdrawal as a necessary step to refocus U.S. foreign policy on diplomacy rather than military intervention.
Biden’s administration has sought to draw a sharp distinction between past wars and today’s more complex challenges. While the president’s decision to pull U.S. troops from Afghanistan has been widely debated, his broader foreign policy approach has been one of cautious engagement, relying more on diplomacy, alliances, and multilateral institutions like the UN to address global conflicts. This strategy, Biden believes, is better suited to the interconnected world of the 21st century, where cyberattacks, economic sanctions, and diplomatic pressure often supplant traditional warfare.
A Future Shaped by Artificial Intelligence
One of the most notable aspects of Biden’s speech was his emphasis on the future — specifically, the rapid advances in artificial intelligence and the potential risks they pose to global security and human rights. Biden warned that AI, if left unchecked, could be exploited by authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent, spread disinformation, and undermine democracy. “There may well be no greater test of our leadership than how we deal with A.I.,” Biden said, urging world leaders to work together to ensure that this powerful technology is used to uplift people rather than oppress them.
Biden’s remarks on AI reflect a growing concern within the U.S. government about the transformative impact of new technologies on global politics. As countries race to develop AI systems for everything from defence to economic management, there is increasing anxiety about how rogue states or terrorist organisations might weaponise these technologies. Biden called for establishing international norms and regulations to govern the use of AI, stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.
A Call for Collective Action
Throughout his address, Biden returned to a central theme: the importance of collective action in solving the world’s most pressing problems. Whether it is combating climate change, addressing food insecurity, or tackling the opioid crisis, Biden argued that no country can go it alone. “Some things are more important than staying in power,” he said, in a subtle jab at authoritarian regimes that prioritize their own survival over the well-being of their people.
Biden’s speech was, in many ways, a defence of the multilateral order that the U.S. has helped build over the past seven decades. He framed the United Nations as an essential forum for addressing global challenges, from nuclear proliferation to human rights abuses. While acknowledging the institution’s limitations, Biden emphasised that it remains the best mechanism for fostering cooperation among nations. His speech echoed the sentiments of past U.S. presidents who have used the General Assembly to articulate a vision of global leadership rooted in diplomacy and partnership.
