Tell Biden: We Want Progressive Change on Foreign Policy!

Tell Biden: We Want Progressive Change on Foreign Policy!

Statement from the Anti-War Committee, February 2021

Every day we hear another news story about progressive executive actions from the Biden administration that address climate change and racial justice. While those actions fall short of the radical changes needed in those areas, at least there are some welcome advances being made.  However, the Anti-War Committee is deeply concerned about the lack of any progress by the Biden administration in the area of foreign policy.  

Biden’s nomination of war-hawk Anthony Blinken for Secretary of State is a horrible decision. Blinken has long cheerleaded US invasions abroad. The so-called “humanitarian interventions” he champions have led to the deaths of millions and leveled cities, all to secure oil or other US geopolitical interests.

Likewise, Biden’s Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, celebrated as the first African-American to hold the position, unfortunately doesn’t represent real change. If anything, as an outgoing board member and major shareholder of military contractor Raytheon, Austin (a retired four-star general) represents the revolving door between the military and for-profit arms companies at its worst. 

Free Palestine!

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Biden’s nomination for UN envoy, said, “I look forward to standing with Israel, standing against the unfair targeting of Israel, the relentless resolutions proposed against Israel unfairly” at her confirmation hearings. She particularly took positions against BDS (the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement), saying, “It verges on anti-Semitic, and it’s important that they not be allowed to have a voice at the UN, and I intend to work against that.” Thomas-Greenfield’s nomination is a continuation of Biden’s positions on the campaign trail where he pledged to continue the Obama administration’s policies of overwhelming support for Israel.

Hands off Iran!

During his election bid, Biden promised to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, which the Obama administration had negotiated to reduce tensions. After the inauguration, Biden and Blinken changed their tune, demanding that Iran reduce its nuclear enrichment activity before – so they claim – the US will rejoin the deal by ending Trump’s cruel “maximum pressure” sanctions. But it was the United States, not Iran, who first violated the JCPOA by imposing those sanctions. Combined with the Trump administration’s assassination of Iranian leaders and the ongoing US military buildup in the Persian Gulf, the US refusal to abide by its agreements means Iran views overtures to renegotiate a “stronger” deal (first proposed by Trump but recently echoed by Blinken) as the empty demands of a deceitful aggressor. Time is running out for the US to step away from the brink of a potentially large-scale, destabilizing conflict of its own making. End the sanctions NOW without preconditions!

US out of Afghanistan!

ABC News reports that “the Biden administration is indicating it will keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan past a May withdrawal deadline laid out in the US deal with the Taliban.” The US has occupied Afghanistan for nearly 20 years and US troops are currently at their lowest levels. This is a critical time for the US to leave and to support the peace process rather than violating it.  

Hands off Venezuela!

Biden is poised to continue Trump’s failed and imperialist foreign policy towards Venezuela. The Biden administration invited Juan Guaidó, coup plotter and self-proclaimed “president” of Venezuela, to the presidential inauguration. In his nomination hearings for Secretary of State, Blinken agreed with Republican senator Marco Rubio’s pro-intervention stance. He’s also refused to negotiate with democratically-elected President Nicolás Maduro, despite Biden’s claim that “diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy.” It is critical that we voice solidarity with the people of Venezuela, and speak out against US sanctions and attacks on Venezuela, including plans for regime change.

End the war on Yemen!

We are glad that Biden reversed some of the Trump administration’s last-minute terrorism sanctions imposed on Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The Anti-War Committee opposes any action that would make it less likely for peace or that would make it more difficult for humanitarian aid to get into Yemen, where civilians face war, disease, and famine. We are encouraged that the Biden administration says it is suspending “offensive aid” to Saudi forces, but it needs to go further to truly bring an end to the conflict. The administration’s continued aggressive posturing towards Iran makes it unlikely the US will distance itself from Saudi Arabia.

No wall and no troops on the border!

We are glad that President Biden has reversed Trump’s project to build a wall on the US-Mexico border but we remain concerned that the thousands of troops on the border haven’t been removed.

Take action!

President Biden, much like President Obama, sees the US’ role as being a “benevolent leader” when in fact the US consistently acts as an imperialist power, one which currently is imposing sanctions on countries during a global pandemic, supporting and committing human rights violations, and threatening migrants. Every day the news touts Biden’s progressive executive actions, but we see very little progressive foreign policy coming from Biden. We need him to hear our demands!