President Joe Biden heads to the final United Nations General Assembly of his term of office this week, eager to assuage nervous world leaders amid a tight U.S. presidential race and multiple global conflicts as questions loom about Washington’s future role.
The outgoing commander in chief has spoken publicly about unnamed leaders privately questioning America’s role in global affairs should Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, retake office in January. While Trump has campaigned on a less-involved America, Biden’s approach to the annual New York summit will be rooted in his “belief that, like politics, foreign policy is also personal,” White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said last week.
“Throughout all his engagements up there in New York, he will reaffirm America’s leadership on the world stage,” Kirby told reporters on Sept. 19. “He’ll rally global action to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate; the opioid epidemic; mobilizing resources for developing countries; managing the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence; and helping end the brutal wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, among many other critically important issues.”
