Farkhund Yousafzai
The world of diplomacy is often a delicate dance on a razor’s edge—one misstep can trigger chaos, while a well-executed move can reshape the history.
Antony Blinken, the 71st US Secretary of State, assumed office during a period marked by dramatic global shifts and increasing geopolitical divisions.
Tasked with the monumental responsibility of rebuilding alliances, addressing adversaries, and redefining America’s role in an increasingly multipolar world, Blinken’s tenure as US Secretary of State has been eventful and consequential.
However, with Marco Rubio assuming the role of US Secretary of State, it is an opportune moment to reflect on Blinken’s legacy, assessing both his achievements and shortcomings.
Blinken’s Achievements
Soon after taking oath as the US Secretary of State on January 26, 2021, Blinken expressed his commitment to restore multilateralism and repair US traditional ties with allies in the West, frayed during Donald Trump’s previous administration.
Under his leadership, the United States rejoined the World Health Organization (WHO) and Paris Climate Agreement.
It reestablished the US a partner on global issues such as public health, global warming and climate change, earning Blinken appreciation for his statesman-like approach to global matters.
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Blinken then turned his attention towards Europe and began revitalizing NATO, reaffirming US backing for the alliance. It proved effective when Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, the Biden administration had skillfully addressed the concerns of US’s traditional allies.
Blinken successfully rallied allies to impose massive sanctions on Russia and supply military hardware to Ukraine.
Through these initiatives, he demonstrated US’s ability to lead allies in times of crisis and challenge its arch-rival Russia in its traditional sphere of influence.
Blinken’s Middle East policy has been marked by several major initiatives, especially during the war between Israel and Hamas.
Blinken adopted a more balanced approach in dealing with Palestine problem compared to the previous administration.
Under his leadership, the US strongly supported Israel diplomatically, militarily and morally, but also engaged the Hamas leadership and influential Arab countries such as Qatar and Egypt to finally reach a truce deal in Gaza.
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Despite facing strong criticism from the international community and human rights groups, Blinken effectively pursued diplomacy, and sought to fulfill national interests.
Under Blinken, Washington restored humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian Authority and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) that was suspended by Trump administration.
Blinken advanced Abraham Accords to normalize ties between Israel and Arab countries and achieved notable success, however, the sudden outbreak of Gaza war derailed the process.
In Syria, the US successfully kept countering ISIS, aiding Syrian refugees, and limiting Iran’s growing influence.
Moreover, In Yemen, Blinken took bold measures to find a political solution to the war. The US ended its support for operations by Saudi Arabia, while urging ceasefire and to return to diplomacy.
Blinken’s Failures
While Blinken’s achievements are creditable, his time in office has not without major failures.
The chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 remains a prominent stain on his record.
The harrowing images of desperate Afghans clinging to planes at Kabul airport became a worldwide emblem of the US government’s mismanagement.
Although the decision to end America’s longest war was made by President Joe Biden, Blinken faced intense criticism for not ensuring a smooth transition and failing to adequately prepare for the rapid collapse of the Ashraf Ghani’s government in Kabul.
In the Middle East, Blinken faced challenges in establishing a coherent strategy, especially to deal with Iran.
The inability to revive the Iran nuclear agreement highlighted concerns about his effectiveness in navigating the region’s complex dynamics.
Moreover, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 tested Blinken’s diplomatic resilience like never before.
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His efforts to rally Western allies and implement massive sanctions against Russia showcased his capacity to act decisively in a crisis. The U.S.’s leadership in providing military assistance, including advanced weaponry, has been pivotal in bolstering Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression.
However, maintaining global unity in support of Ukraine proved a significant challenge.
As the conflict prolonged, divisions began to surface among Western allies, particularly over the economic burden of extended sanctions and concerns about the potential for escalation.
Although Blinken tried to mend US-China relations, but tensions escalated between the two super powers during his tenure, especially over Taiwan and trade.
His inability to establish a stable framework for discussions and regular negotiations has been considered a major setback.
Furthermore, Latin America and Africa are two key regions where the US has historically sought to maintain or expand influence, however, in Blinken’s tenure, the US engagement in these regions was insufficient.
China, under President Xi Jinping’s effective foreign policy and Belt and Road Initiative, has effectively replaced the US as a dominant player in both regions.
Moreover, Blinken failed to rein in North Korea’s multiple missile tests and was unable to facilitate meaningful dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, leaving a major security challenge unresolved.
In conclusion, Antony Blinken’s time as US Secretary of State has been a period of significant geopolitical shifts, with moments of success tempered by notable challenges.
His achievements in revitalizing alliances, supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, and advancing peace efforts in the Middle East reflect his diplomatic strength.
However, his tenure was also marked by serious setbacks such as the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, challenges with Iran and the inability to forge stable relations with China and North Korea.
As Marco Rubio takes over the role, Blinken’s legacy will undoubtedly influence the direction of US foreign policy in an increasingly complex world.
The lessons learned from his successes and failures will serve as a valuable guide in navigating the evolving global landscape.
Farkhund Yousafzai is the Assistant Editor at The Diplomatic Insight, with specialized expertise in foreign policy and defense matters.
