Staff Reports
Old Joe Biden recently traipsed down to Lima, Peru, ostensibly representing the United States at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference. History suggests that such gatherings typically feature a lot of lofty rhetoric while behind-the-scenes deals go unnoticed, and the session culminates in a gloriously posed group photo to showcase the leaders’ camaraderie. In the past, the American president has always commanded a prime spot in these photos, but not this time.
At the latest APEC photo opportunity, Old Joe found himself relegated to the back row, sandwiched between Paetongtarn Shinawatra from Thailand and Vietnam’s Lương Cường. This wasn’t just a simple case of poor space management; it was an embarrassment wrapped in a neon sign. In a breathtaking display of diplomatic prowess—or lack thereof—Biden was positioned as an afterthought among world leaders, and the photo op seemed to scream that America is not the powerhouse it once was.
Lame-duck Biden humiliated with back-corner spot in APEC family photo as China’s Xi get place of honor in front row pic.twitter.com/a5VTMioyrs
— New York Post (@nypost) November 16, 2024
Perusing the lineup, it becomes painfully apparent that the arrangement appeared to be alphabetical by country. The aesthetics of the photo laid bare the unfairness of it all, with leaders like Australia’s Anthony Albanese and China’s own Xi Jinping at the forefront, enjoying their moment. Old Joe was tucked away at the back, symbolically miles away from the power dynamics he has unfortunately contributed to unravelling. Interestingly, the last time a similar “alphabetical arrangement” was utilized was not in the latest conference, where Biden was photographically downgraded, demonstrating once again that the once-respected leader is now simply fodder for global jest.
News outlets took great delight in highlighting this unfortunate turn of events. The New York Post aired the idea of a “humiliation” for America’s leader, suggesting that the world’s stage has grown increasingly zealous in dismissing his authority amid rampant speculation that he is merely a placeholder in the Oval Office. One Republican Representative suggested that a certain former president might have fared better in the photo, calling into question whether world leaders even bother to take Biden’s presidency seriously anymore.
The decline of American prestige, particularly since the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, calls to mind a troubling portrait of what was once a mighty nation. Leaders the world over have taken note of not only Biden’s domestic blunders but also his arguably misguided gestures toward allies like Israel and financial boosts to adversaries like Iran. This ongoing scene reeks of disrespect, leaving many to ponder if this is just the beginning of a troubling new status for the U.S. on the global stage.
With Old Joe steering the ship, America seems to be careening toward third-rate power status. The prognosis may look grim, but it is not irreversible. The promise of future leadership that restores America’s greatness remains tantalizingly within reach. If Trump takes the APEC stage in 2025, he will undoubtedly reclaim the spotlight and show the world just how robust American leadership can be.
