Following the inauguration of United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on 20 January 2021, the world is looking forward to the foreign policies of the Democratic duo.
By
Dian Wirengjurit
·6 minutes read
AP PHOTO/ANDREW HARNIK, POOL
Kamala Harris is sworn in as Vice President by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as her husband Doug Emhoff holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
Following the inauguration of United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on 20 January 2021, the world is looking forward to the foreign policies of the Democratic duo.
During the tenure of President Barack Obama, Indonesia was so "flattered", when "the Menteng kid returned home" on 9-10 November 2010. However, our hope that Obama would pay more attention (to Indonesia) turned out to be just romanticism and the public was already entertained with his "I like meatballs” visit, the only visit during his eight-year presidency.
Democratic Party platform
It is often forgotten that US global policy in defending its interests, in principle, remains based on the party platform. In the platform approved on 18 August 2020, Democrats with the liberalism pillars carry the theme "Renewing American Leadership", with sub-themes, among others, revitalizing diplomacy, transforming armed forces, advancing global economic and trade interests.
This platform is clearly an attempt to "fix" the conservatism of the Republican Party and end Donald Trump\'s American First policy, which is very controversial in its implementation.
First, Independent America, which is to free the US from global burdens and improve domestic conditions, by empowering all potentials and leading by example.
According to Ian Bremmer in his book, Superpower: Three Choices for America\'s Role in the World (2015), the US has three choices in its foreign policy. First, Independent America, which is to free the US from global burdens and improve domestic conditions, by empowering all potentials and leading by example.
Second, Moneyball America, which is realizing that the US cannot face all international challenges. The US should focus on priorities based on opportunity and defend its interests when threatened. The US will prioritize helping its allies for the sake of security and prosperity, without imposing its values.
Third, Indispensable America, namely the belief that only the US can maintain the values on which global stability depends; but it is the most expensive (costly).
Given the “legacy” Trump has left, Biden-Harris is expected to take the second option. According to the party platform, one of the pressing priorities is to mobilize the world to tackle challenges of a transnational nature. To that end, the US will "return" to prioritize multilateralism and cooperate with the United Nations and international organizations in solving world problems.
AP PHOTO/EVAN VUCCI
In this Feb. 4, 2021, photo, Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the State Department in Washington. The Biden administration on Feb. 18 rescinded former president Donald Trump’s restoration of U.N. sanctions on Iran, an announcement that could help Washington move toward rejoining the 2015 nuclear agreement aimed at reining in the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
In facing the Covid-19 pandemic, the US will also return to empower WHO and fulfill its obligations in funding, including for the Contingency Fund for Emergencies. In the context of climate change, the US will rejoin the Paris Agreement, by ratifying the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol, and funding the Green Climate Fund.
Interestingly, in an effort to revitalize diplomacy, Biden-Harris will focus on empowering allies (re-inventing alliance), which are irreplaceable partners (irreplaceable cornerstone) in global security.
Biden\'s foreign policy
With such a platform, Biden\'s foreign policy will be reflected in the three determinants of superpower competition (US, Russia and China) in politics-security, economy and diplomacy.
First, given the scope of global security, European allies, especially NATO, which has 30 members as a "natural partner"; work not only for European security, but also extending to the Middle East, for example in dealing with the Taliban or IS.
Meanwhile, in hotspot areas, the US will definitely prioritize Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries (Middle East); South Korea and Japan (Korean Peninsula); and India (South Asia). The interesting thing is, in the Asia Pacific region, where the South China Sea (SCS) is a controversial issue, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan and Australia are considered special.
In Southeast Asia, although the US will partner with ASEAN in boosting economic growth, it remains to be remembered that Uncle Sam\'s country indirectly guarantees the "security umbrella" of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements. The existence of about 800 military bases in about 70 countries is certainly an indication of US priority.
Second, in the economic field, US policy will be guided by national interests and allies in the trade war with China.
Kompas
US National Security Advisor Robert OBrien addresses leaders of ASEAN member states at the ASEAN-US summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on a live video conference held online due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, in Hanoi on November 14, 2020.
"American Strength" —the openness of society, a dynamic economy, and allied power — must be relied on to apply shared values. The US will mobilize allies around the world to fight against China and other countries deemed to be disrupting international norms.
Third, in the field of diplomacy, the empowerment of 259 US diplomatic representatives (embassies and consulates general) in 169 out of 193 UN members will be carried out based on the above priority interests. The US realizes that the challenge is not easy because China has 276 diplomatic representatives. Russia, with about 240 representatives, is in fifth place, behind Britain and Japan (BBC-Lowy Institute, 27/11/2020).
Indonesia\'s position
From the three factors, it can be measured how important Indonesia\'s position is. It is often misunderstood that the US (even China and Russia) consider Indonesia a strategic partner; but certainly not in a politics-military sense, as with real allies. It is well known that the three superpowers are very keen and have an interest in making Indonesia a strategic partner. However, they may be quite happy with Indonesia\'s status quo as a non-aligned country.
Free and active foreign policy provides flexibility for Indonesia to maneuver between the three superpowers.
Consequently, it is difficult to predict where the “important” position of Indonesia is in Biden-Harris\'s foreign policy priorities, except in the field of human rights, which has become the traditional “standard” of Democracy. For Indonesia, the sincerity or lip service of this statement actually does not really matter. To be sure, the US will not allow Indonesia to fall into one of the camps. Free and active foreign policy provides flexibility for Indonesia to maneuver between the three superpowers.
AFP/ERIC BARADAT
TOPSHOT - Young activists and Democratic party candidate supporters gather and dance on Black Lives Matter Plaza just outside of the White House (background) on November 4, 2020 in Washington DC. - Democrat Joe Biden took a huge step Wednesday to capturing the White House, with wins in Michigan and Wisconsin bringing him close to a majority, but President Donald Trump responded with a diatribe alleging mass fraud and demanding a halt to vote counting. (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP)
Consequently, it is difficult to predict where the “important” position of Indonesia is in Bi- den-Harris\'s foreign policy priorities, except in the field of human rights, which has become the traditional “standard” of the Democrats. For Indonesia, the sincerity or lip service of this statement actually does not really matter. To be sure, the US will not allow Indonesia to fall into one of the camps. Free and active foreign policy provides flexibility for Indonesia to maneuver between the three superpowers.
The important thing is that the maneuver contributes to international security and stability, and moreover brings benefits to national development.
Finally, the 92-page-thick platform of the 2020 Democratic Party is indeed a “cleaning up” effort by Biden-Harris over the "mess" that Trump left behind. The party platform combines the various values and aspirations conveyed by constituents in hopes of becoming a “price for their loyalty”; although there are people in the community who do not really believe it. The platform is a credible reference for predicting the direction of Biden-Harris policies.
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Dian Wirengjurit
Dian Wirengjurit, Analyst on Geopolitics and International Issues
