Biden’s Incapacity Invites Danger Abroad
As we ponder the political fallout from the Biden-Trump debate, the world just got more dangerous.
by FRANCIS P. SEMPA
July 5, 2024, 10:35 PM
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Most of the commentary on President Biden’s poor debate performance has focused on his chances for reelection. But that is only one side of a dangerous coin. The other side is explored by Naval War College professor James Holmes in a compelling article in The National Interest titled “Joe Biden and the Perception Paradox.”
Holmes worries that China could “run wild in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, or other embattled zones.”
“Perception,” Holmes writes, “is king in power politics.” The nations of the world that wish us well and ill undoubtedly watched the Biden-Trump debate or at least read the post-debate commentary about Biden’s awful performance — from both Republicans and Democrats. Holmes worries that the perception of America’s “capability, competence, and fortitude” was seriously damaged by Biden’s debate performance. “Aggressors will be emboldened” and “friends will blanch.” The mental ability and therefore the credibility of the American superpower’s leader has been called into question. Our friends and foes will act accordingly.
Holmes does not write this as a Trump supporter. Trump is irrelevant to his concerns because Biden is the president and will be until at least January 20, 2025. There is a lot bad happening in the world — in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and most important, in the western Pacific. Plenty more bad things can happen in six months, as both our adversaries and allies perceive weakness from Washington. Holmes writes that “we’re in for a bumpy ride between now and January 20, 2025. If not longer.” (READ MORE from Francis P. Sempa: Hong Kong Affords a Glimpse of the Future for Taiwan)
https://spectator.org/bidens-incapacity-invites-danger-abroad/
