Biden’s foreign policy challenges in 2023: China, Russia and war in the Middle East
1. Dealing with Chinese aggression in the South and East China Seas. China continues to press its territorial ambitions in the region, and the United States will need to respond with diplomatic and military means.
2. Deterring Russian aggression in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Russia remains a key player in Syria and has made extensive incursions into Ukraine and the Baltics.
3. Negotiating a peace settlement in the Middle East. The decades-long dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians remains unresolved, and the Biden Administration will need to find a political solution that is acceptable to both sides.
4. Dealing with North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile program. Pyongyang’s weapons of mass destruction remain a key security threat and will require diplomatic and economic strategies to achieve denuclearization and reduce the risk of conflict.
5. Countering Iran’s proliferation of weapons and support for terrorist groups. Teheran continues to expand its regional influence, and the US and other global powers need to find ways to contain Iran’s regional ambitions and support for terrorism.
6. Reforming international institutions. The Biden Administration will need to work with partners to reform existing international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization to better reflect the interests of the United States and its allies.
7. Combatting global warming and promoting clean energy. The Biden Administration will need to cooperate with other nations and private actors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create the conditions for a transition to renewable energy sources.