Biden's critics say he has no one to blame for his diplomatic difficulties in Europe, but that he is to blame for an inconsistent approach to international crises.
“I think the contradiction is in U.S. policy,” said Peter Ruff, director of the Hudson Institute's Europe and Eurasia Center and a former aide to President George W. Bush. “In Ukraine, he's supporting Ukraine against the Russia-Iran alliance, but in Gaza, he's controlling and even limiting Israel's confrontation with Iranian proxies.”
Some foreign policy veterans say Biden is asking for trouble by being too supportive of Israel.
“I'm not at all sure Biden has made the right choice on Israel and Gaza, but I acknowledge that he is in a tough position, as is our country,” said Eric Rubin, a longtime U.S. diplomat and former president of the American Foreign Relations Association. “Israel has lost the sympathy of most other countries and their people, and I fear it will not regain that sympathy in our lifetimes.”
But ultimately, some diplomats say, France and other allies simply defer to the U.S. on such issues. Despite their differences, Mr. Biden has built constructive relationships with his colleagues, unlike his predecessor and would-be successor, Donald J. Trump, who railed against European allies and threatened to jeopardize his own reelection.
“The United States still plays a vital role,” Daalder said. “Everyone looks to us for how we will deal with Russia, China and, frankly, Israel. We are still seen by friends and foes as the ones to call the shots.”