Biden’s Final UN Address: Urges End to Middle East War \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ In his final address to the U.N. General Assembly, President Joe Biden urged the U.S. not to retreat from global leadership, addressing the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict and the war in Gaza, now nearing its one-year mark. Biden called for sustained support for Ukraine, stressed the need for peace in the Middle East, and highlighted the risks posed by unchecked artificial intelligence.
Biden’s U.N. Address: Key Points
- Middle East conflict: Biden called for an end to Israel-Hezbollah hostilities and Hamas’s war in Gaza.
- Ukraine support: Urged continued Western backing of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
- Foreign policy legacy: Highlighted ending U.S. involvement in “forever wars” while navigating new global conflicts.
- Artificial intelligence: Raised concerns about AI’s potential for repression and disinformation.
- Global leadership: Reaffirmed the importance of international unity in facing modern challenges.
Deep Look:
President Joe Biden took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to deliver what could be his final address as president, urging the U.S. to remain engaged in world affairs amidst growing conflict in the Middle East and war in Ukraine. As tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalated and Israel’s military operation in Gaza approached the one-year mark, Biden used his platform to call for global unity and emphasize the importance of continued international cooperation.
“Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” Biden said, urging de-escalation as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon inches toward an all-out war. Over the past few weeks, the Israeli military has launched increasingly intense strikes against Hezbollah targets, while Hezbollah has retaliated by launching rockets, missiles, and drones into northern Israel. Biden reiterated that diplomacy remains the only path to peace, even as the White House bolstered its military presence in the region, sending more U.S. troops to join the 40,000 already stationed there.
Biden’s address came at a critical moment as the Middle East spirals further into chaos. Just a year ago, Biden spoke optimistically at the U.N. about a “sustainable, integrated Middle East.” He cited growing economic relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, strengthened by the Abraham Accords, and progress in Israel-Saudi normalization talks as signs of hope. Now, those hopes have been dashed by Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and ignited a bloody war. The Gaza offensive has since claimed more than 41,000 Palestinian lives, according to local health authorities.
This week, Israel’s military warned southern Lebanon residents to evacuate, claiming that Hezbollah was storing weapons in residential buildings. The escalating conflict has killed nearly 560 people in Lebanon so far, with airstrikes pounding southern areas and pushing thousands to flee to Beirut. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has vowed to continue retaliatory strikes until a cease-fire is reached in Gaza.
Amid the escalating Middle East violence, Biden stressed the importance of not turning away from the international stage. “There will always be forces that pull our countries apart,” he said, advocating for diplomacy over isolationism. He urged U.N. members to work together to tackle the world’s challenges, including climate change, poverty, and conflict.
Biden also underscored the need to continue supporting Ukraine, which has been embroiled in conflict with Russia since Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February 2022. Biden’s administration has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, leading a global coalition that has provided Kyiv with weapons and economic aid. But maintaining this level of support is becoming more politically challenging, particularly as some Republican lawmakers—and Trump—question the ongoing commitment to Ukraine. “We cannot grow weary, we cannot look away,” Biden said, urging allies to remain steadfast.
As Biden champions Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing the U.S. to loosen restrictions on the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles. Zelenskyy seeks the capability to strike deep inside Russia, but the Pentagon and the White House have been hesitant, fearing that such attacks could provoke Russia further. Putin has already warned that if U.S.-supplied missiles strike Moscow, Russia would consider itself “at war” with the U.S. and NATO.
In addition to addressing current global conflicts, Biden raised concerns about the rapid development of artificial intelligence, highlighting its potential dangers if left unchecked. “There may well be no greater test of our leadership than how we deal with AI,” Biden said, warning of the technology’s capacity for abuse in the hands of dictators and authoritarian regimes. He emphasized that AI should be used to empower people, not suppress them.
Biden’s address also touched on his decision to end the U.S. military’s presence in Afghanistan, marking the end of America’s involvement in the “forever wars.” He described the chaotic withdrawal in 2021 as a difficult but necessary decision, even though it came at the cost of 13 American lives and hundreds of Afghan deaths in a Kabul airport bombing. “It was a hard decision but the right decision,” Biden said.
As Biden reflected on his administration’s achievements and the global challenges ahead, he took a nostalgic tone, recalling his first time attending the U.N. General Assembly over 50 years ago. Quoting Irish poetry and reflecting on his political journey, Biden emphasized that the true purpose of leaders is to serve the people, urging global cooperation in addressing the many crises that the world currently faces.
Later in the day, Biden held a bilateral meeting with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and participated in an event to address the opioid epidemic, highlighting efforts to combat the production and distribution of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The opioid crisis, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives in the U.S. alone, remains a key domestic issue for Biden as he balances foreign and domestic policy priorities.
Biden’s final remarks struck a tone of optimism, even as the world faces increasing turmoil. His message was clear: the U.S. must not retreat from the world stage, and global unity is essential in addressing the challenges ahead.
Biden’s Final
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