Biden Administration Foreign Policy: Concessions and Wishful Thinking
‘The past few months have given the world a glimpse at what’s driving U.S. foreign policy decisions under the Biden administration. First came a rush to rejoin a climate agreement that does not effectively hold our competitors to their own commitments. Then, just weeks ago, the announcement of a total abandonment of Afghanistan that will squander our leverage to promote a diplomatic end to the civil war, put innocent Afghans at risk, roll out a red carpet for the Taliban, and embolden the terror
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding foreign policy:
“The past few months have given the world a glimpse at what’s driving U.S. foreign policy decisions under the Biden administration. First came a rush to rejoin a climate agreement that does not effectively hold our competitors to their own commitments.
“Then, just weeks ago, the announcement of a total abandonment of Afghanistan that will squander our leverage to promote a diplomatic end to the civil war, put innocent Afghans at risk, roll out a red carpet for the Taliban, and embolden the terrorists.
“Even this Administration’s own top intelligence chiefs, and our military commanders, are concerned about how we’ll stay a step ahead of terrorists in the region without the access provided by our U.S. footprint.
“Late last week, we got a further peek at the incredible wishful thinking behind this policy.
“As reported in the New York Times, some Biden officials suggest the Taliban ‘might govern less harshly… in order to win recognition and financial support’.
“The Secretary of State -- America’s top diplomat -- seems to think it’s that simple. He expressed hope that ‘civilian and economic assistance’ could ‘advance a just and durable peace… and a brighter future for the Afghan people.’
“The Deputy National Security Advisor was more dismissive of the Afghan people’s plight, morally equating our Afghan partners and the Taliban as just ‘two Afghan parties’ in a conflict.
“I do not believe Afghan women and girls are jumping for joy at the prospect of a Taliban takeover. In fact, as one New York Times headline put it, ‘Afghan Women Fear the Worst.’
“I certainly do not believe the Taliban will abandon their brutal fundamentalist ways just to secure recognition from the western powers they despise.
“Speaking of women’s rights, over the weekend, the United Nations chose to further degrade its legitimacy by inviting Iran to join its Commission on the Status of Women.
“You heard that right. The panel claiming principal international authority over ‘the empowerment of women’ will now include a nation whose police are empowered to beat and assault women for improper veiling. A nation that turns a blind eye to pervasive domestic violence, forced marriage, and rape.
“And it’s not just the UN that seems to be going soft on Tehran. The Biden Administration seems willing – if not desperate – to provide sanctions relief up front, squandering leverage, just to re-enter President Obama’s flawed nuclear deal.
“This sanctions relief would benefit a regime that is being run by the extremist Islamic Revolutionary Guards. That’s what Iran’s own foreign minister admitted in leaked comments.
“That’s who is running the show: The same terrorists that were used by Soleimani to spread violence across the region — before the prior administration removed him permanently.
“Republicans are not opposed to nuclear diplomacy.
“But we know that preemptive concessions will not secure a better deal, or make America or our allies more secure.”
Related Issues: Afghanistan
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