With 53 years in public office, Joe Biden was hailed for his knowledge of foreign affairs and sold as the “adult in the room” to keep the world free from strife. He doubled down on his supposed expertise during his final days in charge, yelling at a reporter, "My being the oldest president, I know more world leaders than any one of you ever met in your whole goddamn life."
Rather than peaceful, the globe is a “mess” after four years of Biden, as described by President Donald Trump, who is quick to point out that for the first time in 72 years, no wars started under his watch. Here’s a rundown of the state of world affairs Trump faces as he reenters the White House:
Russia-Ukraine War: Trump emphatically states that the war never would have started under his watch. He blames his predecessor for pushing Ukraine’s entrance into NATO as a tipping point and said Russian leader Vladimir Putin was emboldened to attack by Biden’s botched pullout from Afghanistan, a national embarrassment that left $85 billion in weapons to the Taliban and China. Trump argues that the end of the nearly three-year war should have been negotiated by now and blames its continuance on the $175 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars funneled into it by the Biden administration, money Trump says would be better spent here at home.
War in the Middle East: After the terrorist group Hamas raided Israel, torturing, raping, and killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, Israel engaged in a war to root them out of Gaza. Again, Trump blamed Biden’s weakness on the world stage for the attack, the worst on the Jewish population since the Holocaust. He warned that if the hostages are not released by the time he takes office on January 20, “It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is."
Houthi Attacks: Iran-funded Houthi rebels based in Yemen have escalated attacks on Israel, launching missile and drone strikes on Tel Aviv, Israel’s financial and commercial capital. They have also attacked ships in the Red Sea, disrupting global commerce. Counterattacks have been launched by the United States as part of a coalition including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Israel, and the Netherlands. The U.S. Navy’s engagement with Houthi forces in the Red Sea escalated last summer into one of the most intense ongoing sea battles since World War II.
Hezbollah Attacks: Another Iran-sponsored terrorist group, Hezbollah, has conducted a number of attacks on Israel, including drone strikes on its military bases and rocket launches against civilian targets. Israel responded with airstrikes into Lebanon, which Hezbollah countered with additional bombardments.
Iran Attacks: In October, for the first time ever, Iran directly attacked Israel, launching over 300 missiles and drones. This marked a significant shift in the country’s war footing as it usually depended on proxies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis to carry out its assaults. The conflict included Israeli airstrikes on Iranian interests in Syria and the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
Syria: President Bashar al-Assad was ousted from office in December following a rapid advance by Islamist insurgents. He fled the country his family controlled for over 50 years and has taken refuge in Russia.
Canada: As President Trump was getting set to retake the White House, he began laying down negotiation markers with America’s neighbor to the north. He asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau what would happen if the $200 billion in subsidies the U.S. provides to his country every year ended. Trump’s conclusion that Canada would be better off financially and militarily if it became the 51st U.S. set off a firestorm of internal criticism, leading to Trudeau’s resignation.
United Kingdom: Facing growing economic concerns and public backlash over the country’s open immigration policies, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak resigned following a substantial defeat in July’s general election to Labour Party’s Keir Starmer, who then became prime minister. The same issues tanked Prime Minister Liz Truss, who only held the office for an unprecedented 44 days. She was preceded by Boris Johnson, who served three years and is widely criticized for helping foment the war in Ukraine.
France: The country is facing a historical political, social, and financial crisis. In December, Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government collapsed. Under increasing pressure from a disgruntled public, President Emmanuel Macron appointed Centrist François Bayrou, the fourth prime minister in the last year, in a situation not seen in that country since 1934.
South Korea: After President Yoon Suk Yeo declared martial law in December, alleging that the Democratic Party was collaborating with North Korean communists to undermine the country, he was impeached. Efforts to arrest him have spurred massive protests as the political crisis weakens the nation's economy. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo briefly served as acting president until his own impeachment days later. The nation’s security chief resigned amid turmoil credited to the influence of China.
China: Analysts report numerous moves being made by the communist country in preparation for invading Taiwan. The domestic mood is seen as reaching a boiling point over 75 years of crushing communist control and a war with the neighboring country, and ostensibly with its supporters, including the United States, is seen as a strategy by President Xi Jinping to rally nationalist support. Meanwhile, China is expressing its hegemony all over the world with moves in many economically stressed regions, such as the development of a military base in Cuba and control of the Panama Canal. Chinese cyberattacks on U.S. institutions, including the Treasury Department and telecommunications companies, are seen as precursors to war.
Germany: Europe’s largest and most economically powerful nation is facing significant political upheaval, marked by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government in November. This development has led to a troubling period of instability as the country heads toward snap elections.
Iraq: After a year-long leadership vacuum, the nation's Parliament elected a new speaker in November, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani. The Sunni politician has close ties to Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism.
Africa: Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are facing growing insurgencies from groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS. Somalia is battling Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group that controls parts of the country. South Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war with widespread violence and political instability.