President Biden outlined his foreign policy in a rare address to the nation.

An Inflection Point

The Story

Yesterday, President Biden outlined his foreign policy in a rare address to the nation.

What was the focus?

Israel and Ukraine. Biden called this moment an “inflection point in history.” He sees these two wars — and the role the US should play in each — as intertwined. While Hamas and Putin represent “different threats,” he said, they share a common aim: “they both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy.” Biden outlined what he sees as the US’s role — namely, that supporting Israel and Ukraine remains “vital for America’s national security.” 

How so?

When the US fails to act, Biden warned, “conflict and chaos could spread in other parts of the world.” As he also put it: “when dictators don’t pay a price for their aggression…the threats to America and the world keep rising.” He made the case that Russian President Vladimir Putin's “appetite for power and control in Ukraine" needs to be stopped, and that Putin could pose a threat to NATO members like Poland.

What else did he say?

Biden appealed to the American public for support in both of these wars — and called on Congress to pass a budget request to send more aid to Israel and Ukraine. As he put it, the investment will “pay dividends for American security for generations.” He denounced antisemitism and Islamophobia and encouraged Americans to come together. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to a two-state solution. And he spoke of the US citizens held captive by Hamas, saying there was “no higher priority” than their safety. Meanwhile, Biden’s plea comes as he faces growing criticism from progressive Democrats and people within his admin for the US’s handling of the conflict. It’s also unclear how fast his budget request would pass, given that the House is at a standstill.

theSkimm

Many debate what America's role should be on the world stage. Biden’s making the case that "American leadership is what holds the world together." The challenge he faces is how to maintain support for wars on two different fronts.

What can't seem to make it work...

The House. In the latest episode of ‘Lawmakers Gone Wild,’ the interim speaker, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), is reportedly threatening to quit. Republicans are reportedly trying to get McHenry to take on normal speaker powers (like intro legislation), while they deal with a looming government shutdown deadline and proposed aid regarding the Israel-Hamas war. But McHenry’s apparently not sure expanding his authority without a floor vote is even constitutional. In the meantime, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) pulled an UNO reverse card, saying he will pursue a third vote for House speaker. That’s after two rounds of trying to get the job — losing even more supporters the second time. It's unclear if Jordan will win over the 20 members that don’t want anything to do with him by the next vote — which is expected at 10 am ET today.

Who else has got people talking about the GOP…

Sidney Powell. Yesterday, the former Donald Trump attorney pleaded guilty in Georgia's 2020 election interference case. Powell is one of the 19 defendants who’s been charged and the second to plead guilty. She pushed baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Trump and admitted she attempted to gain access to election equipment in one Georgia county. As part of a plea deal, Powell will now serve six years probation and pay a $6,000 fine after pleading guilty to racketeering, trespassing, and several conspiracy charges. She will also be required to testify in future trials…potentially including Trump’s. The deal comes a day before jury selection was set to start for her trial.

Who’s been detained in Russia…

Another US journalist. Earlier this week, a US-funded media organization said Russian authorities arrested Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said Kurmasheva was visiting family in the city of Kazan when she was arrested and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent. If found guilty, she could face up to five years in prison. A media rights organization called the accusations “spurious” and demanded for the charges to be dropped and Kurmasheva to be released. She is the second American journalist this year to be detained in Russia. The first — the Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich — was charged with espionage, and is still being held in Russia.

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