US election – prudent and decisive

When the managing editor of the Washington Post takes up his pen, the politicians he writes about have to wrap up warmly. His latest book, “War,” is about Joe Biden. This book, which is actually dedicated to peace, is also investigative journalism at the highest level. As the legendary person who uncovered the Watergate affair, Woodward apparently has access to all decision-makers. From his countless interviews and conversations with people, he takes a fascinating look into the inner workings of power and the decisions of a president for whom, in the author’s opinion, there were successes and failures. “But in my opinion, everything suggests that President Biden and his team will be viewed by future historians as an example of consistent and purposeful leadership.”

Who is on the president’s team at a time of war in Ukraine and Israel and Gaza? First and foremost, the President’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his deputy Jon Finer, CIA Director Bill Burns, Director of Intelligence Avril Haines, Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mike Milley. The legacy of Donald Trump’s presidency was poisoned. He had agreed and scheduled the withdrawal of the Americans with the Taliban in Afghanistan, but had not prepared it. Biden had to pay for this when intelligence reports grew that Russia was about to invade Ukraine.

The Americans got hold of Putin’s entire plans early on, which were so secret that not even Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov was privy to them. Biden and his team handled this cautiously: They warned Volodymyr Zelenskyj in Kiev, who didn’t believe them. They carefully informed their European allies, who – with the exception of Great Britain – did not believe them. They warned Russia, saying they knew what was being planned there. The Russians denied such plans until immediately before their invasion. The USA then supported Ukraine with weapons and money. The struggle for more ammunition or the outlawed cluster munitions for the 155-millimeter guns is an example of the scruples that motivated Biden before his decisions. He prevented any support that could be seen as direct interference in the war in order to avoid a third world war. He acted prudently but decisively when Putin considered using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine and stopped him from taking this fateful step. Biden and his team’s motto, which has been somewhat adhered to so far, is: support Ukraine, but respect Russia’s ultimate “red lines” in order not to risk a world war.

In the middle of the difficult decisions about Ukraine, Hamas’ attack on Israel broke out. Here too, Biden wanted support with weapons and money, by sending an aircraft carrier, but also an attempt to prevent Israel from carrying out a preemptive strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon in order to prevent an even bigger war there. The attempt to prevent Israel from better protecting the civilian population in Gaza from the consequences of attacks against Hamas has not been successful. Respect for Israel’s sovereign decision as to how the country must defend itself against Hamas took precedence. Diplomatic efforts with the Arab Gulf states and Saudi Arabia to find a way to free the hostages from Hamas hands have so far been unsuccessful.

From Woodward’s book one can at least see what aversion to Hamas there is in the Arab states, which nevertheless feign solidarity with their Muslim brothers in Gaza. Readers will find out all this and many other details, such as the efforts to admit Finland and Sweden into NATO, the always extremely dangerous relationship with Iran and the ambivalent attitude towards NATO partner Turkey, in a brilliantly written, often sourced article documented depiction that shows a different America, a president concerned with world peace who does everything in his power to give the allies the necessary support and to persuade them to peaceful reason. The intensity of these efforts is worthy of honor after reading “War” and allows us to take a look at the significance of the uncertain outcome of the presidential elections in the USA.

Bob Woodward: War. A.d. America. v. 11 translators. Hanser, 480 p., hardcover, €24.

Become a member of the nd.Genossenschaft!

Since January 1, 2022, the »nd« will be published as an independent left-wing newspaper owned by the staff and readers. Be there and support media diversity and visible left-wing positions as a cooperative member. Fill out the membership form now.

More information on www.dasnd.de/genossenschaft