Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Consultant, Advisor, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

It is widely believed that the NATO Summit 2024 was strategically timed as part of President Joe Biden's electoral campaign. His aim was to showcase his international influence and leverage it as a strength in the upcoming November elections. On a surface level, he succeeded in meeting some of these goals by convening 32 NATO leaders in the United States to commemorate NATO's 75th anniversary, established on April 4, 1949. NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a political and military alliance comprising countries from Europe and North America, dedicated to mutual defense against any threat. Originally consisting of just 8 members, NATO has expanded to include 32 nations today.

President Joe Biden has been promoting a Cold War mindset, rallying alliances and close partners to counter Russia and China. Having grown up and launched his political career during the Cold War, Biden has extensive experience from that era, having served in various senior positions under several presidents. He played a role in shaping Cold War policies and strategies across different administrations. Given his deep-rooted background, it is challenging for him to deviate from this Cold War perspective at this stage in his life. As a result, he succeeded to some extent in persuading NATO leaders to issue a statement at the Summit reflecting this Cold War mentality, with a focus on confronting China and Russia.

However, public opinion in Europe, particularly among the youth, stands in stark contrast to these policies. Many Europeans are opposed to war, conflict, and escalating tensions; instead, they seek peace, harmony, development, and prosperity. Across Europe, there have been numerous rallies, protests, and demonstrations against the war in Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, and other global conflicts driven by U.S. actions. Some European politicians and governments have supported these American-led confrontations or acts of genocide, often against the wishes of their constituents. Consequently, politicians who aligned themselves with American geopolitical strategies without considering public sentiment have faced electoral defeat in several European countries. It is anticipated that in future elections, many of these leaders who endorsed American hegemony and promoted hostilities will be voted out of office, as the public rejects their stance.

After Russia and Ukraine, Europe has been the most severely affected by the Ukraine crisis. Europe heavily relied on energy and food imports from Ukraine and Russia. As a result, the European economy has faced significant challenges, particularly in terms of energy and food security. While some wealthier and more developed European countries may be able to withstand these pressures, many others are struggling. These nations are either entering recessions or facing critical economic situations. Consequently, there is widespread public desire across Europe to see an end to the Ukraine war to safeguard their economies. In contrast, the United States, which does not depend on Russian energy or Ukrainian wheat, has not experienced similar disruptions. Instead, the conflict has economically benefited the U.S. through increased weapons sales.

Prior to the NATO Summit in 2024, anti-Russia sentiments in Europe were present to some extent, but most European nations were not strongly opposed to China. In fact, several European countries were close trading partners with China and sought to enhance relations, particularly in trade, investment, and technology. However, the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the NATO Summit adopted a distinctly anti-China and anti-Russia stance. This outcome represented a little success for President Biden and may pose challenges for China in future dealings with NATO countries.

Domestically, President Biden faces a different challenge. His popularity, initially at 60:40 based on his four-year performance, has significantly declined to 80:20 following the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Convincing voters for the upcoming presidential elections remains a critical task for President Biden.

Here is the performance of President Joe Biden in the last four years:

• After spending trillions of dollars, sacrificing thousands of American lives, and causing countless innocent Afghan civilian casualties over twenty years of occupation, the U.S. ultimately evacuated Afghanistan in a humbling retreat. This outcome is credited to President Biden’s administration.

• The Ukraine war began due to the perceived failures of President Biden’s administration. Despite repeated warnings from Russia that Ukraine was a red line, the Biden administration's actions seemingly provoked Russia into attacking. Initially, Russia declared a limited special military operation, but the Biden administration's policies escalated it into a full-scale war. Although Russia has expressed willingness for a peace deal and diplomatic resolution, the Biden administration has allegedly prolonged the conflict, with the NATO Summit in 2024 potentially exacerbating the situation.

• The Biden administration’s support of Israel during the Gaza conflict has tarnished America's image. Historians are likely to remember and condemn the administration's actions and involvement in Genocide in Gaza as war crimes.

• Domestically, the Biden administration's economic policies have faced severe criticism, with rising joblessness, inflation, and de-dollarization seen as indicators of its failures.

• In a country known for its democratic values and freedom of speech, the Biden administration introduced stringent draconian laws and brutal measures to suppress student protests against the Gaza genocide and conflict. This has been viewed as a violation of democratic principles, freedom of expression, and human rights, further linking the administration to war crimes in Gaza.

• Despite losing considerable credibility, the fate of President Biden and America's future ultimately rests in the hands of the American people. Miracles and exceptional outcomes are always possible in America.

The 2024 NATO Summit is poised to have a significant impact on global geopolitics and on American domestic affairs, particularly the Presidential elections. The summit's outcomes may lead to increased polarity and heightened hostilities worldwide. The Ukraine crisis could worsen, with Russia potentially facing severe sanctions and a challenging future. For China, engaging with NATO may become increasingly difficult. The resurgence of Cold War-era tensions could escalate global conflicts, raising the specter of a potential World War III. This prospect is deeply concerning.Unfortunat!

（ASIA PACIFIC DAILY）