Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York marked what many are likely hoping is his last performance as commander-in-chief. His speech was a long-winded affair, where he declared that “things can get better” globally. This statement not only sounds like typical political fluff but also inadvertently highlights the precarious state of international relations after four years of his leadership. Apparently, the world has become a bit of a dumpster fire under his watch, and perhaps acknowledging that was the first step.
In the midst of this chaotic international landscape, Biden urged the United Nations to revive its mission of peacekeeping. It’s a noble goal, but they might want to start by tuning in to reality. After all, their track record isn’t exactly stellar. Take Lebanon, for example, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah is conducting a full-scale assault on Israel while the UN’s troops, numbering around 10,000 under the UNIFIL mandate, are likely busy perfecting their inactivity. According to a 2006 resolution, their job is to keep the region free of armed personnel, which includes being competent enough to stop Hezbollah from using Lebanon as its personal playground. But let’s be honest, they’ve flunked that course spectacularly.
Joe Biden has just delivered a warmongering rant at the United Nations.
He demanded war against Russia, war against Iran, and threatened China all in one 25-minute speech.
Biden's legacy is a world in flames, with his successor only expanding these global wars. pic.twitter.com/KYAPBccLRS
— Andre Damon (WSWS) (@Andre__Damon) September 24, 2024
While Biden was busy making his peacemaking pitch, the Iranian president decided it was a grand time to visit the land of liberty—reportedly to rally against the alleged U.S. hegemony. Somehow, the leader of a regime known for its oppression and hostility has managed to escape to New York City, taking his entire family with him. Perhaps the irony of a dictator shopping on Park Avenue while condemning the “imperialist” U.S. was lost on him. If there’s one thing that mirrors the hypocrisy of the left, it’s this juxtaposition of praising freedom while benefitting from it in the land of the free.
Instead of tackling the real issues, Biden took a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about his illustrious career. One could say it’s charming for a politician to reflect, but in this case, it felt more like a desperate attempt to distract from the immediate chaos. A quick glance at global hotspots would suggest that the world isn’t exactly doing better, and the calls for peacekeeping seem like a tired old song that nobody wanted to hear to begin with.
The failure of UNIFIL in Lebanon serves as a poignant reminder of the limitations of international organizations in enforcing peace. Biden’s forlorn hope for their revival is touching, yet it strains credulity when history suggests that the UN often fails at its own mandates. As the world burns in various corners, it seems that the last thing the U.N. needs is another empty plea from a politician who seems more invested in soothing his own conscience than in generating real change on the ground.
