Biden farewell U.N. speech/ Biden U.N. peace appeal/ Biden U.N. Middle East and Ukraine conflicts/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ UNITED NATIONS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In his final address to the U.N. General Assembly, President Joe Biden called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, emphasizing the need for global unity. With conflicts in Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine intensifying, Biden urged the world to avoid retreating from international engagement and to push for diplomatic solutions. He also reiterated the importance of sustained Western support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Biden’s Final U.N. Address: Peace and Global Unity Quick Look:
- Biden calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine in his farewell U.N. address.
- Emphasizes the need for diplomatic solutions despite escalating conflicts.
- Urges the international community to remain engaged and unified.
- Highlights U.S. and allies’ ongoing support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
- Warns against isolationism and calls for continued global cooperation.
Biden Urges Peace in Mideast and Ukraine in Farewell U.N. Speech
Deep Look:
President Joe Biden delivered his final address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, urging world leaders to stay engaged in addressing global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. As Israel and Hezbollah edge closer to all-out war, and Israel’s operations against Hamas in Gaza intensify, Biden emphasized the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.
Standing before the international body, Biden reflected on the current global landscape, which is marked by a series of complex and devastating conflicts. The president stressed that despite these challenges, he remains hopeful for the future, stating, “I know many look at the world today and see difficulties and react with despair, but I do not.”
He reiterated his commitment to U.S. global leadership, rejecting the idea of retreating from the world stage. “There will always be forces that pull our countries apart,” Biden said, but “our task is to make sure that the forces holding us together are stronger.”
Middle East Conflict and Biden’s Hope for Diplomacy The president’s remarks came at a critical time for the Middle East. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have surged, with ongoing strikes raising fears of a multi-front war. Israel’s military is targeting Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket and drone attacks. The fighting has displaced thousands and escalated concerns of a broader conflict.
Biden expressed concern about the worsening situation but maintained that “full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest.” He urged both sides to de-escalate, emphasizing that diplomacy remains the only path to lasting peace.
A year ago, Biden was optimistic about the future of the Middle East, citing the progress of the Abraham Accords and the potential for normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, the surprise attack by Hamas in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, derailed these hopes and sparked a bloody war in Gaza that has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives.
Despite these setbacks, Biden reiterated that peace is still possible, calling for an end to the violence and a negotiated resolution that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas. He also condemned the actions of Israeli settlers targeting Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
Ukraine Conflict and Continued U.S. Support Biden also used his address to reaffirm U.S. and Western support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. He highlighted the importance of maintaining international backing for Kyiv, even as skepticism grows among some U.S. lawmakers about the cost of the conflict. “We cannot grow weary,” Biden urged. “We cannot look away.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Biden has played a key role in rallying international support, helping to build a coalition of countries that have provided military and economic assistance to Ukraine. He emphasized that the fight for Ukraine is a fight for democracy and freedom, warning that the world must not allow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression to go unchecked.
At the same time, Biden faces increasing pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow the use of long-range U.S. missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory. So far, the Biden administration has resisted, citing concerns about escalating the conflict and provoking a direct confrontation with Russia. Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to use such weapons would put the U.S. and NATO at war with Russia.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to meet with Zelenskyy later this week in Washington, where the issue of missile strikes and continued support will likely be discussed.
Sudan and Global Humanitarian Efforts In addition to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, Biden touched on the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. He urged the international community to stop supplying arms to the warring factions and push for an end to the violence tearing the country apart. Biden called for more global efforts to provide aid to Sudanese civilians suffering from the devastating effects of the conflict.
Biden’s Foreign Policy Legacy As Biden’s term nears its end, his foreign policy legacy will be shaped by his administration’s handling of these global conflicts. He entered office with a promise to end America’s “forever wars” in Afghanistan and Iraq, successfully withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan in a decision he defended during his speech. However, his presidency has also been marked by new and evolving crises, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have tested his commitment to diplomacy and global leadership.
Biden closed his final U.N. address with a message of resilience and hope. “We are stronger than we think,” he said, “when the world acts together.” His call for continued engagement, unity, and peace resonated as a central theme, reflecting his belief that global cooperation remains the key to overcoming the challenges of today’s world.
