Views From Over There. . .

(Views From Over There. . .)

If one has learned nothing over these days, it would be that President Biden should limit his time in public. That would be especially true in any interaction with other world leaders, like the Members of the North Atlantic Alliance. Biden was there, telling George Stephanopoulos in his interview that "he fixed NATO."  Whatever that means. As one knows, any Administration has two main objectives, domestic and foreign policy. The past NATO Summit would qualify as a public engagement.


So, what happened ? Some 31 Alliance countries were represented. For his part, Biden wished to demonstrate he could maintain some coherence while promoting the Ukraine War. Whatever interactions Biden had did not produce any comment but the President's condition could not help but cast a pall over the proceedings. The Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made no comment on President Biden and only added that he appreciates the Biden commitment to NATO and the Ukrainian effort.


That being said, no one at that Summit was not aware of Biden's recent history. Not one of the delegates did not feel the need to tread lightly around the President in case he had an "episode," making for some awkward moments. And, these 31 leaders could have to deal with the fact that the American President, the most important member in the Alliance Command Structure, could be replaced.


Of course, the President is hoping to forestall that possibility and a secondary aim would be to shore up his support and perhaps counter a possible Parkinson's diagnosis. All this of course is being observed in the international community, beyond NATO but also President Putin who will have his own concerns about the extent NATO will be assisting Ukraine. However, with President Biden at less than 100%, the situation only gets more confused. And, with the War at a stalemate, Biden's lack of clarity removes a contribution.


In the end, Biden cannot remain in a position where he is doing nothing but injecting volatility. Just ask anyone in the room.

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