President Joseph Biden, in a moment of candid frustration, reportedly pinned part of the blame for Russia's aggressive moves in Ukraine on the policy decisions of his predecessor, according to a forthcoming book by famed journalist Bob Woodward.
According to the New York Post, these revelations come days before the release of "War" where Woodward details Biden's critique of the Obama administration's response to Russian threats.
The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 was met with sanctions and supportive measures for Ukraine by then-President Barack Obama, according to Woodward's book. However, whistleblower claims suggest these were insufficient to curb Russian President Vladimir Putin's ambitions.
Woodward reveals that President Biden felt these earlier efforts "gave Putin a license to continue" with his plans. This sentiment has marked a clear expression of dissatisfaction with how the initial stages of aggression were handled.
"We did nothing. We gave Putin a license to continue!" said Biden in a moment of reflection on the past actions under the Obama administration.
According to Woodward, President Biden has expressed his resolve by stating, "Well, I’m revoking his f–king license!" This highlights a strategic pivot in the U.S. stance towards Russia under the Biden administration.
The broader geopolitical landscape had been haunting the U.S. policy circles even before the 2022 invasion, with the Donbas region conflict serving as a simmering prelude. Hunter Biden's involvement with Burisma Holdings also aligns tangentially with these foreign policy knots, adding layers of domestic political repercussions to the international crisis.
Biden reportedly asserted, while dissecting the failures of past U.S. foreign policy, "They f–ked up in 2014," directly critiquing the Obama-era strategy. He attributed the current geo-political turmoil to those earlier missteps, claiming, “That’s why we are here. We f–ked it up. Barack never took [Putin] seriously.”
The following is from President Biden:
They f–ked up in 2014, he contested, remarking on the initial U.S. response. “That’s why we are here,” Biden continued, “We f–ked it up. Barack never took [Putin] seriously.”
"War" is expected to offer a profound commentary not only on Biden's administration but also on how historical decisions have shaped current international events. The book will also touch upon internal U.S. politics, including President Biden's thoughts on Attorney General Merrick Garland, expressing frustration by stating, "Should never have picked Garland," "This is never going to f—ing go away."
Following Obama's understatement of Russia as a significant threat during a 2012 debate—"The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because the Cold War’s been over for 20 years"—the subsequent developments highlight a stark contrast to his assumptions.
From sanctions in 2014 to full-scale conflict in 2022, the continuous narrative of U.S.-Russia relations has been marked by increasing tension and confrontation. President Biden's blunt reflections in Woodward's new book suggest a candid reassessment of former strategies and perhaps a cautionary tale for future diplomatic engagements.
As tensions have evolved from Crimea's annexation to an expansive military engagement, Biden's sharp critique encapsulates a key moment of introspection for U.S. foreign policy, arguing for a significant shift in approach to Russian aggression.
In conclusion, the nuanced discussion in Woodward's "War" not only sheds light on Biden's viewpoints but also serves as a critical examination of U.S. foreign policy trajectories from 2014's diplomatic stances to 2022's geopolitical realities, echoing through the halls of the White House and beyond.
