New American President Joe Biden and his administration, apparently, have not been able to develop any significant concept for improving relations with Russia in the first 100 days in power. This was stated by Michael O’Hanlon, Director of the Foreign Policy Studies Program and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
“I am concerned that there is no major new concept for improving relations with Russia and North Korea, no matter how difficult these tasks may be. So, of course, (to the potential strengthening of Washington’s ties with Moscow and Pyongyang. – Ed.) Is very far away, “O’Hanlon TASS quoted on April 28 as saying.
At the same time, he praised key figures in the US executive branch of government. According to the political scientist, Biden has a competent team, she has extensive experience and knowledge base. O’Hanlon noted that in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and the need to restore closeness with allies, it works great.
However, from the expert’s point of view, the decisions of the Biden administration to begin the completion of the US military operation in Afghanistan and to make accusations of genocide against the Chinese government were not very successful.
“I love the new framework for engaging with China: to compete, cooperate and resist. But the latter – only when necessary. Nevertheless, I disagree with the decision to recognize as genocide (Beijing’s policy in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the PRC. – Ed.), ”O’Hanlon said. The PRC authorities strongly reject such conclusions of the American government.
The expert predicted “a reasonable way forward in terms of Iran” in negotiations on the prospects for the return of the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This agreement was signed with Iran by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany in 2015 with the aim of resolving the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear development. The previous American leader, Donald Trump, decided in 2018 to withdraw from the JCPOA. Biden has repeatedly signaled his willingness to return the United States to a nuclear deal with Iran.
According to the results of a joint poll, published on April 25, only 52% of Americans unequivocally or to some extent approve of Biden’s activities in the first 100 days of his tenure as head of state. Thus, Biden’s approval rating was one of the lowest in history.
In early February, it was reported that Biden’s rating dropped by 2 pp. compared to the first days of his presidency. Then his work as head of the United States was approved by 61% of respondents.
The US Congress approved the election of Democrat Biden as president on January 7. His inauguration took place on January 20.