News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know P resident Joe Biden came into office with America’s foreign alliances in disarray, its commitment to human rights weakened, its efforts to counter China ineffective and its devotion to fending off illiberal regimes in grave doubt. As national secu- rity adviser Jake Sullivan recently said at the Council on Foreign Relations, the previous administration “left an impact crater worldwide that, frommy perspective, we are still working to dig out from.” Biden and his foreign policy team have a theory of foreign policy based on several overarching principles: that the domestic economic strength of the United States endows it with international strength, and absent alli- ances anchored by the United States, the world becomes dangerous and chaotic; that the great challenge of our time is the contest between illiberal authoritarian states and democracies; and that in fighting yesterday’s chal- lenges (e.g., the war in Afghanistan), we have neglected more pressing current threats, such as cyberterrorism, climate change and China. With a demoralized and understaffed State Depart- ment, a worldwide pandemic and an international eco- nomic recession, Biden’s team spent considerable time and effort rebuilding its diplomatic capacity. It rejoined the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Orga- nization, and to demonstrate its responsibility to poorer nations, it became the largest supporter of the interna- tional vaccine distribution. While every administration inherits the messes its pre- decessor leaves behind, Biden took on more than his fair share. But in 2022, we will get a reality check on Biden’s vision and an initial assessment on his cleanup efforts in at least four contexts. - First, will Biden’s gamble to pull out of Afghanistan pay off? On one hand, the disastrous economic and hu- manitarian situation in Afghanistan reflects the human trauma associated with a lost war. But there is little indi- cation so far that a terrorist element has taken root with the capability to project power and threaten our home- land. Domestic chaos rather than international danger seems to be the result. As for Biden’s promise that ending our commitment in Afghanistan would help the United States to pivot to other issues, he will be judged largely on whether he makes progress on those 21st-century issues. Do we diminish the menace of cyberterrorism? Do we slow climate change? - Second, will Biden address the military, political and economic challenge posed by China? A major rationaliza- tion for exiting Afghanistan was that the United States would be in a better position to address this major power challenge. Do we build on the regional security deal with Australia and Britain and the elevated discussions with members of the “Quad” (the United States, India, Japan and Australia) to successfully deter China from, among other things, threatening military action against Tai- wan? With the Winter Olympics soon to open in Beijing, does China pay any price for its atrocious human rights record, especially the Uyghur genocide? Whether the House can to pass the Senate bill designed to improve our competitiveness with China will indicate whether we have a coherent, comprehensive approach to confronting the Asian giant. - Third, will the administration rally allies and force Iran back into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action? Sullivan suggested that negotiators establishing a path- way for Iran to return to the JCPOA have only “weeks” before talks are exhausted. Even Israeli officials recognize the previous administration’s folly of pulling out of the deal without a viable means of containing Iran’s nuclear program. As The Post reported this month: “A growing number of former Israeli security officials are publicly faulting their government for opposing a nuclear deal negotiated in 2015 between Iran and world powers, and warning that economic sanctions on Iran are not deter- ring it from dangerously advancing its nuclear program.” That still leaves a question as to whether the United States has sufficient leverage to corral Iran and, if needed, devise a viable post-JCPOA strategy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has argued that Iran has plenty of incentives to return to the deal (e.g., fear of European snapback sanctions). As a group of tough- minded national security experts, including two former CIA directors, wrote in an open letter, “we believe it is important for the Biden administration to take steps that lead Iran to believe that persisting in its current behavior and rejecting a reasonable diplomatic resolution will put to risk its entire nuclear infrastructure, one built pains- takingly over the last three decades.” The signatories continued: - - - “Such steps may include orchestrating high-profile military exercises by the U.S. Central Command, poten- tially in concert with allies and partners, that simulate what would be involved in such a significant operation, including rehearsing air-to-ground attacks on hardened targets and the suppression of Iranian missile batteries. Also important would be to provide both local allies and partners as well as U.S. installations and assets in the region with enhanced defensive capabilities to counter whatever retaliatory actions Iran might choose to make, thereby signaling our readiness to act, if necessary. Perhaps most significantly, fulfilling past U.S. promises to act forcefully against other Iranian outrages, such as the drone attack by Iran-backed militias against the U.S. base at al-Tanf in Syria and Iran’s illegal capture of mer- chant ships and killing unarmed seamen, might have the salutary impact of underscoring the seriousness of U.S. commitments to act on the nuclear issue.” - - - Biden might need to explore these tougher options if he is to compel Iran to return to the JCPOA. - Finally, how successful will Biden be in responding to the challenges posed by illiberal regimes? Can he build on the recent democracy summit to arrest the retreat of democracies evident over the past decade? Will he have something to show for his efforts to repair frayed relations with NATO? Russia’s willingness to back down from further aggression against Ukraine will provide a partial verdict on his democracy alliance and the relative strength of authoritarian regimes. With American democracy under siege at home, the credibility of the United States as a leader of the inter- national alliance of democracies will be strained in the coming year. If it cannot operate trustworthy, peaceful elections at home (requiring much-needed democracy reforms), it will hand authoritarian foes a major vic- tory. In that regard, Biden’s ability to manage domestic challenges will once more determine his effectiveness internationally. By Jennifer Rubin, TheWashington Post Four Foreign Policy Challenges Will Test Biden’s Worldview In 2022 News India Times January 07, 2022 Cover Story 7 U.S. Affairs High profile attendees were at the ribbon-cutting event Aug. 12, 2021, to inaugurate the new Community Center of the South Asian Council for Social Services. India Community Center in Milpitas, California, which also has other enters in Cupertino and elsewhere, started four- hour Zoom programs for seniors from early March. Photo:courtesy ICC Photo:courtesySACSS through sheer perseverance. There has been enough proof in the social science of psychology that religion helps cope with life stresses. Indian Americans seem to have utilized this aspect thoroughly during the pandemic. A lot of people have formed individual groups when they pray together or listen to discourses together. A lot of such groups have been attending the Chinmay Mission discourses and prayers, while others have been listening to uplifting talks by Sister Shivani of the Raj Yoga Center. There have been noticeable advantages gained from watching video discourses of Sister Shivani, as reported by many who all seem visibly calmer and more grounded. Seeking help outside of one’s self is partly the result of acculturation, many feel. And so, therapy for Indian Americans would need to include a reminder of their inner strength, their inherent ability to rely on forces bigger than the calamity. Shah corroborated this. “People who come to me for treatment receive a fusion of both treatments,” she said. “We weave in our spirituality and religiosity into the therapy. We combine yoga, spiritual talk, and science,” Shah said who recently did a work- shop along with Sunita Singh, who taught Pranic Heal- ing techniques which were very well received. “I give examples from our cultural background, and combine what we have in our culture with what we can add tech- nologically,” Shah said. “Religion has all the counseling solutions built into it. The mind-body-soul alignment is basic to Hinduism and that is why we emphasize yoga and meditation,” Shah said. Thus, the prognosis is much better for our mental health going forward into 2022. In 2021, not many were mentally prepared for the changes to their lives. In 2022, we stand at a different point in this ongoing test of our personalities. Knowing that help is available in the form of a professionally trained expert who also understands your lifestyle and your culture and traditions and belief systems will prove to be very helpful through the remain- ing and upcoming mental health issues. - C ontinued F rom P age 6