As Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his final day in office, he shared his hopes that the incoming Trump administration would continue several significant aspects of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy strategy, particularly concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. In a comprehensive interview on Friday, Blinken expressed worries that the new administration may forsake these initiatives.
He indicated a notable concern regarding the potential abandonment of Biden’s national security policies aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict, aiding Ukraine in its struggles against Russian aggression, and maintaining robust alliances with crucial global partners. “When we came in, we inherited partnerships and alliances that were seriously frayed,” Blinken remarked, elaborating that there is legitimate reason to worry about continuity in policies under the new administration.
Trump has previously shown skepticism toward international alliances, particularly NATO, and has critiqued U.S. military support for Ukraine, often expressing admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, just ahead of taking office, Trump’s appointed Middle East envoy was involved in negotiations to secure a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, a diplomatic success both the current and incoming administrations have claimed credit for.
“The best laid plans: There’s no certainty that our successors will embrace them,” Blinken stated. He believes that the incoming administration has the option to evaluate existing strategies and adjust them as necessary. Efforts to reach Trump’s transition team for comments on foreign policy perspectives were not successful.
While Blinken and the Biden administration have faced significant criticism for their approach to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, as well as their support for Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas, the critiques have been intense. Critics have charged that the administration failed to impose adequate restrictions on arms shipments to Israel and did not sufficiently pressure the country to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
During his last press appearance at the State Department, Blinken was interrupted by protests alleging his complicity in Israeli actions against Palestinian civilians, indicating escalating public discontent. Blinken acknowledged that various global events, including the Afghanistan withdrawal, Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and the issues surrounding Gaza, had diverted the administration’s focus away from its initial foreign policy objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.
Reflecting on his tenure, Blinken noted that his legacy would likely be defined by handling these significant crises, receiving both accolades and criticism in equal measure. The Biden administration’s decision to proceed with Trump’s earlier plans for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan later fell to Blinken’s management, culminating in a tumultuous exit marked by tragedy outside Kabul airport.
Moving forward, Blinken, alongside his team, dedicated substantial effort to preventing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, ultimately rallying NATO allies to support Ukraine amid mounting threats. Following the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the administration once again faced scrutiny for its position toward Israel, criticized for being overly supportive as well as insufficiently so.
In light of these challenges, Blinken expressed his hope that the work achieved over these four years would serve as a foundational element for future administrations, emphasizing a need for the United States to engage from a place of strength through renewed alliances and partnerships. “I hope that the benefits are such and are so clear that future administrations will in one way or another continue them,” he reiterated.
Following the interview, Blinken delivered farewell remarks to State Department employees, encouraging them to maintain their commitment amidst uncertainties posed by the incoming administration’s approach to foreign policy. He lauded their contributions over the past four years and urged persistence in their vital roles.
In a characteristic fashion, Trump has been openly critical of the State Department’s traditional role in shaping foreign policy, even branding it as the “Deep State Department.” The incoming administration’s plans for managing the department remain unclear, as Trump’s prospective successor, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, has expressed respect for the foreign service without detailing specific management strategies.