Staff Reports
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is gearing up for a diplomatic jaunt across Europe, landing squarely in the middle of a G7 meeting focused on wars no American seems particularly eager to be involved in. This diplomatic outing will take place just as the Biden administration appears to be turning off the lights and heading for the exits—likely leaving a significant mess for the incoming Trump administration to clean up.
The G7, comprised of the usual suspects—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and, of course, the United States—has been pouring taxpayer dollars into Ukraine since Russia decided to extend its hand in a not-so-warm welcome back in February 2022. It’s amusing to think how the Democrats are desperately trying to bolster support for Ukraine during Blinken’s European expedition. They seem genuinely jittery about how a Trump administration might approach foreign policy differently. The notion that Trump could swoop in with bold negotiating tactics and significantly reevaluate America’s financial drain might give the left some sleepless nights.
Meanwhile, Trump has made no bones about his skepticism regarding the endless flow of billions to Ukraine, a stance that seems to resonate well with many Americans who question the return on investment for their tax dollars. The Biden administration has been cavalier in its arms shipments and debt forgiveness for Ukraine, while Trump has promised to halt the conflict with a snap of his fingers—suggesting a willingness to reconfigure Ukraine’s territorial ambitions. The left gasps at the mere thought of such a possibility, given how invested they are in this narrative of support.
On the Middle East front, Trump’s warm relationship with Israel cannot be overstated. With a lineup of pro-Israel officials on his team, he aims to bolster support for Israel and dismiss the pursuit of a two-state solution that many in the diplomatic world seem to have a soft spot for. As Hamas continues its onslaught from Gaza, Trump’s strategy appears as if it would prioritize concrete support for Israel over the endless debates and negotiations that have plagued the region for decades.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is leaving Saturday on a diplomatic trip to Europe that includes a meeting of foreign ministers from the leading industrialized nations that will focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. https://t.co/L3LpjXAtln
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 23, 2024
In Italy, several Arab foreign ministers are expected to join the G7 circus to talk about the war in Gaza, although the impending Trump administration might dramatically shift the dialogue—potentially putting a damper on all the policies the left has spent years trying to orchestrate. Amid the chaos, the International Criminal Court seems intent on complicating matters further with arrest warrants for Israeli officials, intertwining persecution in a region already fraught with unrest.
As Blinken prepares to meet with Pope Francis—perhaps to pray for wisdom amidst foreign policy upheavals that are bound to be scrutinized—there’s no denying the irony of a last-minute scramble to establish a diplomatic structure that may well be torn down in a few months under a different leadership. As concerns over China and trade continue to simmer, Trump’s hawkish approach to dealing with Beijing may also dampen any feeble attempts to spark conversations about cooperation. It seems all the chips are on the table, and if the Biden administration has any bright ideas for America’s future relationships, they better act fast before handing the reins back to conservative leadership.
