Backtalk A
CHRISTOPHER RUDDY / PUBLISHER
Biden Should Show Resolve, Not Just Restraint
buzzword we keep hearing about presi- dent Joe Biden’s foreign policy is “restraint.” He constantly wants the U.S. to show restraint and wants allies to do the same: Ukraine, Tai-
wan, South Korea, and Israel. Restraint is a good thing, in my opinion. I like the fact that Biden embraces the idea the U.S.
should engage in restraint. Americans do not want military action as the initial
response to most of the crises we face. During the height of the Cold War, President Ronald
Reagan was careful not to overuse America’s vast military power.
Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald
Trump subscribed to this view as well. But where Biden goes wrong, and differs from other pres-
idents, is that restraint is his overriding policy approach. Reagan invaded Grenada; Clinton led the NATO-
backed Kosovo war; Obama embraced many war-on-terror approaches. Biden has shown some signs of such brashness. He initially and strongly backed Ukraine in repelling
Russia’s unprovoked attack. And Biden has been superb in supporting Israel in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack. He dispatched two U.S. aircraft carriers to the region,
ordered a round-the-clock military resupply to Israel, and even got on a plane to stand with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. But just when we are seeing positive flashes of strength
from Biden, the president seems to hit the reverse button. We have seen it in Ukraine, where his support has
stalled and military aid has been slow-walked, leaving us with an insoluble stalemate. I get it: Biden does not want to escalate with Russia and
start a third world war. But the lack of early resolve is leading to the very thing he fears — a wider war.
R
ussian President Vladimir Putin is emboldened and continues to mobilize for new attacks on Ukraine and
Europe. All over the world, Putin is lighting fires to burn Ameri-
can interests: backing African coups, supporting Kosovo uprisings, helping Iran, supporting Hamas, encouraging China, aiding North Korea, and more. Now, Biden’s strong initial approach with Israel appears
98 NEWSMAX | MARCH 2024
to be following a similar track as his Ukraine policy. Numerous press reports indicate the Biden administra-
tion pressured Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza and engage in a cease-fire. If true, this makes no sense. This would be another “hit
the reverse button” moment. Israel was viciously attacked by Hamas-controlled Gaza,
killing more than 1,400 Israelis in a most brutal way. Clearly, Israel has the right to respond, to find or rescue
hostages, and to neutralize Gaza. For supporting Israel, the U.S. has come under attack
from Iran-backed terror groups, with our facilities attacked over 150 times since Oct. 7 — including a strike in January that killed three American service members and left many wounded. Biden’s restraint is not working. Again, I have no interest in a war with Iran. Former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric
Grenell appeared on Newsmax indicating a military option is not necessarily the first response for the U.S. “What about diplomacy?” he asked. And what about sanctions? Trump placed those quite effectively on Iran. Strong diplomatic pressure on Iran seems to be missing
from the Biden playbook. The red-hot situation could spiral out of control quickly,
leading to an inevitable U.S. military response and larger war. I believe our response should be not a full-scale war or
a “massive retaliatory strike” — as some have called for — but a targeted U.S. attack on Iran’s missiles and air bases, drone factories, Iranian Revolutionary Guard installations, nuclear weapons facilities, and key naval assets. That would send a powerful message to Tehran and adversaries around the world. Instead, Biden responded to the killing of three U.S. servicemen in Jordan with only targeted attacks on Iran- backed terror groups in Iraq and Syria. Why is Iran never held directly accountable? Obama demonstrated real resolve by ordering the killing
of Osama bin Laden. And the American people applauded. It also sent the
right message to the world. Biden needs his Grenada moment, his bin Laden
moment. This is Biden’s moment to say resolve, not just restraint.
Christopher Ruddy is CEO of Newsmax Media, Inc.
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