How Biden responds to these crises will be the best evidence of whether he has the right talent to continue his term or whether he should step back and let younger Democrats take on Donald Trump. right. These are thorny issues with great political risks. But powerful CEOs decisively use their political power, overcoming obstacles and ignoring criticism, to get the job done.
Let’s start with the war in Gaza. Mr. Biden has known for weeks that the next important step would be a long-term cessation of fighting with a hostage release agreement, which would begin the process of de-escalation across the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu simply instructed the president to stick to it. He is reluctant to negotiate the release of the hostages in Cairo and likely wants to continue fighting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which would only lead to an even worse disaster.
Biden needs to confront Prime Minister Netanyahu. The interests of the United States and Israel, not to mention the Palestinians, converge on a hostage release agreement that allows for a cessation of fighting for more than six weeks. To make this deal happen, Biden will have to pull out all the stops and call in all the debt. Prime Minister Netanyahu is deeply unpopular at home. If he goes against the president of the United States, he will probably lose.
A pause in fighting could open up a new world for Israel and the Middle East. Biden’s team has prepared a package that includes normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia and Israel, reform of a revitalized Palestinian Authority, agreement on a credible path to a future Palestinian state, and performance indicators to reassure Israelis. are doing. Allow Hamas to rage on in its underground war while the United States, the European Union, the Arab world, and Israel begin to form a post-war order. Now, let’s get started.
Biden’s second challenge is Ukraine, which is nearing a breaking point in its fight against a brutal invasion. The Republican Party is shamefully bowing down to the Russian dictator. What should the president do? I think the president should use every tool in his executive power to pressure Republicans to provide military aid that will allow Ukraine to push back Russian forces. Failing that, he must help Ukraine develop a strategy to defend its territory.
President Putin spoke last week about a negotiated settlement. I don’t think he’s interested in anything other than surrendering Ukraine, but give him a shot. Probably more than 100,000 brave Ukrainians died in this terrible war. Mr. Biden should do the right thing and continue to urge Congress to support Kiev to the end. History will praise his fortitude and condemn those who seek to abandon Ukraine.
Finally, let’s turn to the border turmoil that has poisoned American politics for a generation. Republicans have shamelessly opportunistically exploited the recent surge in immigration, which reached nearly 300,000 in December. But hey, that’s what Republicans do.
Biden should take this issue away from Republicans. He should use the full power of his powers to restore firm and humane control along the border. It is not immoral to have enforceable borders. It is a condition for a stable political life. The Biden administration has been dithering for far too long, understandably angering the country.
What can Biden do without a bill? In fact, there are many. First, it is possible to create entry exclusion zones for migrants who are smuggled across the border. It’s difficult to find legal evidence that poor migrants paid for their border crossings, so start by catching and prosecuting the smugglers themselves.
Presidential orders could also tighten asylum procedures. It would give asylum officials the power to order expedited removals, rather than leaving cases that can take up to six years to reach a legal verdict. He could increase the U.S. military’s role at the border beyond the 800 soldiers who currently support logistics for the Department of Homeland Security.
These executive actions would stem the flow of migrants, but to be truly effective they would require resources such as more asylum workers, which Republicans clearly won’t provide.
The quickest solution would be for Biden to use his emergency powers under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to completely close the southern border. It’s a nuclear option that exposes desperate people to nightmarish situations (and will face legal challenges). To ease the humanitarian impact, Biden could use his presidential powers to charter planes and buses to bring back migrants who have been denied asylum.
A president who can overcome these three crises will demonstrate his ability to govern. But Mr. Biden, as he himself admitted last week, will still be an “elderly man.” Considering this, if he sticks to his decision to seek re-election, he has the responsibility to nominate a vice presidential candidate that the country deems suitable to succeed him.
Biden needs to look deep within himself as he decides on the right path. The same goes for Vice President Harris. It would be irresponsible and selfish to risk disaster for a second term of President Trump. Good leaders don’t gamble on the future of their country.