Staff Reports
President Biden just wrapped up a globetrotting tour that took him from Peru to Brazil, where he attended the G20 conference. This trip was punctuated by a historic event: Biden became the first sitting president to take a jaunt into the Amazon rainforest. Whether he attempted to save the trees or took a stroll to ponder climate change policies remains anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain—his love for international adventure continues to overshadow pressing issues back home.
While the president may have been busy cruising through South America, he also made headlines for approving the use of American-made long-range missiles by Ukraine on Russian territory. This decision is likely to provoke a few raised brows in the Kremlin, not to mention a great deal of shouting over there. It seems Biden’s strategy is to poke the bear—literally—while he tours scenic landscapes. If only he exhibited such boldness when addressing domestic challenges, perhaps they’d be moving along a little smoother.
“We want to have an effective transition of power…and so we’re ready”
Karine Jean-Pierre holds press briefing after Biden invites Trump to the White House. pic.twitter.com/sOkZnEZY6d
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 7, 2024
Back in Russia, the reaction to Biden’s missile decision was predictably combative. Vladimir Putin, clearly rattled by the prospect of Ukraine wielding long-range weapons, wasted no time in rewriting the nuclear playbook. The new rules designate any missile attack by a non-nuclear power that’s backed by a nuclear one as a “joint attack.” In layman’s terms, he’s laying the groundwork for a potential nuclear temper tantrum if things go sideways. What’s next? Will Putin issue a press release warning everyone he’s taking his toys and going home?
One can’t help but wonder if Biden is truly prepared for the potential backlash from this escalation. While his globetrotting escapades have him basking in the limelight of global diplomacy, the ramifications of his decisions could very well ensure that he has a big ol’ spot focused on him in history books—not to mention an array of angry Russian Twitter rants. If there’s anything that hard-hitting global diplomacy has taught the president, it’s that not all diplomatic missions land softly.
And yet, amidst all the international drama, one has to question whether this is the kind of President Americans had in mind. Traveling across the globe to make history sounds fascinating until it starts to feel detached from reality. Biden may be making headlines, but the specter of a nuclear escalation casts a long shadow over the Amazon’s vibrant greens. The lesson here? Adventure might be welcome, but tackling issues back home should be job #1—and flying from country to country won’t build the kind of infrastructure America truly needs.
