Biden’s Return to Days of Power
During the quarantine period when Joe Biden, the President of the United States, contracted COVID-19 not once but twice, he experienced one of his best weeks in politics. The president, whose approval rating among Americans was only 36%, was navigating sensitive times, facing skepticism from experts and even his own party members about the prospects of the upcoming presidential election and his candidacy for a second term in the White House, and he still is.
Despite all this, the first week of the eighth month of 2022 became memorable for him. Now with an approval rating of about 40%, on the day his wife contracted COVID-19, he signed a major investment plan in the American economy and society, essentially celebrating the achievements that came one after another in the first week of the current month.
Military Successes and Military Policy
The President of the United States started that week by announcing the successful operation of eliminating Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, from quarantine on the back porch of the White House. He announced this news at a time when, contrary to some expectations, his administration had been waiting for a long time to create the groundwork for initiating a maximum hardline policy regarding the Taliban. Documenting their cooperation with al-Qaeda required definitive and serious evidence, which has now been provided.
Many cast doubt on the importance and pivotal role of Ayman al-Zawahiri in the current situation. However, beyond whatever he was doing in the present circumstances, he was the key figure in al-Qaeda, playing a far more significant role than Osama bin Laden, and was America’s primary target. In any case, under Biden’s leadership, the U.S. managed to eliminate one of the biggest perpetrators of past terrorist attacks.
Biden’s positive and serious role in organizing and managing such a unique operation caught the attention of many. These days, on the anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, thanks to the success of the operation against al-Zawahiri, there is less talk in the media about the inappropriate process of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. More than any factor, the Taliban is now responsible for the current situation in that country.
In the battle against Russia, the U.S. managed to equip Ukraine not only with modern HIMARS missile systems. The first week of August was a week of military display for the Ukrainian army using these missiles, and Ukrainians ended that week with significant victories following Russia’s previous successes. These successes were so substantial that Volodymyr Zelensky, the resilient President of Ukraine, who always complained about shortages and lack of aid, officially thanked Biden for the military support this time.
Biden’s Good Diplomatic Week
In the intersection of diplomacy and domestic politics, Biden finally saw the U.S. Senate approve the membership of Sweden and Finland in NATO, accelerating the fast-tracked membership process for these two countries. On the other hand, in the realm of Middle East interactions, although that week ended with the tragic conflicts between Israel and Islamic Jihad and the sacrifice of innocent civilians in Gaza, the special achievements of his capable representative brought Israel and Lebanon closer to historic agreements regarding their maritime border disputes. This special representative even managed to secure special concessions from Israel for the Lebanese, such as sharing gas export revenues from marine resources.
These were not the end, and the finalization negotiations for the return to the JCPOA also got back on track, and this time there is more optimism about the ultimate outcome. European reports of receiving guarantees from the Biden administration about the U.S.’s future participation or withdrawal from the JCPOA were not officially confirmed by the U.S.
However, apart from this specific issue, the U.S., with the help of Europeans, has brought Iran to the negotiating table and has made the Iranian government accept many realities related to the JCPOA. Iran has responded to the agreement reached in Vienna, and now Biden’s team, in cooperation with Europeans, is deciding on Iran’s response during these mid-August days.
In East Asia, Biden’s biggest achievement was Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which had both domestic political gains and showcased the ability of the most important Democratic figure in Congress to support Taiwan against China, drawing even Republican support. It also had significant international achievements, reducing the fear of many U.S. allied countries from openly standing against China and its policies. The consequences of Pelosi’s visit have not been as severe as many warned, at least until today. Following that exciting week in mid-month, the U.S. administration is preparing for a bilateral meeting between Biden and the Chinese leader in the fall.
Biden’s Good Domestic Policy Week
Prices in the U.S. are decreasing, and although inflation remains high, gas prices are getting cheaper and cheaper. The U.S. job market is very robust, and the job creation statistics for July, announced that week, showed an impressive record of adding about 530,000 jobs. The U.S. economy has become more hopeful, and the greater stability in inflation suggests that perhaps we have reached the peak of inflation in the U.S., and a decline in inflation rates may begin in the near future.
Biden achieved his most significant accomplishments in Congress. His economic and budget plan, which had been thwarted by the opposition of Joe Manchin, a rebellious party senator, was suddenly revived. With this plan, the largest investments in world history to combat climate change will take place in the U.S., and this achievement will make American Democrats more hopeful about Biden.
Democratic voter dissatisfaction has been the main factor in the decline of Biden’s approval rating. Key initiatives such as investment in the semiconductor industry and support for veterans’ healthcare budgets were also approved in the Senate and House of Representatives. Specifically, the unprecedented investment of Biden’s administration in the semiconductor industry will ensure the future of various American industries.
Another major event was the first public opinion test and referendum on the abortion debate. In a referendum held alongside the primary elections for determining the final candidates for the November elections in the Republican and conservative state of Kansas, the citizens opposed adding an abortion ban to the state constitution. The decisive victory of abortion rights supporters in Kansas greatly invigorated Biden and demonstrated the electoral strength of Democrats, giving them hope for the November elections.
Biden celebrated that first week of August with a ceremony signing the major investment plan in the American economy and society. In the days when Trump had returned to the top of the news in America, this ceremony reminded Americans of Biden and his achievements. Now even Senator Bernie Sanders has explicitly expressed support for Biden, stating that if Biden runs for the 2024 election, he will back him.
