Tag Archives: Joe Biden


This afternoon.

Via CNN:

Biden’s political and geopolitical rivals rush to exploit his mistakes, the true magnitude of the crisis can only be judged in the human tragedy of a people again subject to Taliban persecution. And a failure to fulfill the now apparently near-impossible tasks of evacuating all the Afghan translators, workers and fixers on whom the US relied and who now face Taliban retribution would besmirch America’s conscience and global reputation.

…Biden remained at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland on Monday morning, amid rising pressure for him to address the nation on the crisis. Senior national security officials appeared on television news shows in an apparent effort to counter the impression that the administration had been badly overtaken by events.

After video emerged of Afghans flooding the tarmac at Kabul airport, deputy national security adviser Jon Finer admitted that the airport was crowded with “desperate” Afghans wanting to leave, but insisted on CNN’s “New Day” that the US had the forces in place “that are necessary to bring stability and security to that airport.”

Meanwhile…

Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan deflected the blame for the scenes of chaos in Kabul, saying on ABC News that the President would speak to Americans “soon.” And he blamed Afghan armed forces for folding in the face of the lightning Taliban advance.

“(Biden) thought the Afghan national security forces could step up and fight because we spent 20 years, tens of billions of dollars training them, giving them the best equipment, giving them support of US forces for 20 years and when push came to shove, they decided not to step up and fight for their country,” Sullivan said.

Biden’s botched Afghan exit is a disaster at home and abroad long in the making (CNN)

Earlier: The Great Game

Meanwhile…

Last night.

Washington DC, USA.

Via Independent.co.uk:

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday that a door-to-door canvassing effort begun during the White House’s “Month of Action” in June would be part of the new effort to surge vaccination rates in states where the numbers of Covid-19 vaccinations are lowest.

Ms Psaki said that the campaign would include “targeted, community-by-community, door-to-door outreach to get remaining Americans vaccinated by ensuring they have the information they need about both how safe and accessible the vaccine is”.

Biden goes door-to-door to boost shots as Delta variant sweeps US (Independent.co.uk)

Meanwhile…

Gulp.

Meanwhile…

Strewth.

Meanwhile…

Um.

Stop that.

This afternoon.

Geneva, Switzerland.

The first meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin has concluded after nearly two hours.

Meanwhile..

President Biden called Russia a “great power” and appeared to nod when asked if he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, sending the White House into damage control amid a chaotic introduction to the leaders’ high-stakes meeting.

The head-nod from Biden happened as US reporters and Russian security got into a near-brawl before him Wednesday in the stately Villa de la Grange in Geneva. The shoving match drowned out most of Biden’s opening remarks and appeared to confuse the 46th president as he sat near Putin.

Biden seemed to put Russia on equal footing with the US, saying in barely audible remarks, “We’re two great powers” — before nodding after a reporter asked if he trusts the Russian leader.

Biden and Putin face off in Geneva amid elevated tensions (NewYorkPost)

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This morning.

Speaking on Newstalk, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

“The intervention from Joe Biden’s administration is significant but also from my perspective, represents a lot of common sense.

“I think the US are saying ‘sort out this issue, we’re very clear from a United States perspective that the Good Friday Agreement, peace on the island is an absolute imperative and that the protocol is a contributor to that. You’ve signed up to it, adhere to it’.”

Biden intervention in NI Protocol row ‘significant’ – Taoiseach (RTÉ)

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Last night.

Washington DC.

In remarks from the White House, President Joe Biden announced that the US will share millions more doses of coronavirus vaccines with other countries around the world.

He added:

 “if the unvaccinated get vaccinated, they’ll protect themselves and other unvaccinated people around them…

“…Ultimately, those who are not vaccinated will end up paying the price. The vaccinated will continue to be protected against severe illnesses, but others may not be if you’re not vaccinated.”

US to share 20m more COVID vaccine doses with world, total now 80m: Biden (CNBC)

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This morning/afternoon.

The White House, Washington DC.

In his first official acts, Joe Biden is signing a ‘stack’ of executives orders reversing Trump policies on a broad range of issues, including rejoining the Paris climate accord and mandatory mask-wearing.

A look at Biden’s first executive orders in office (PBS)

Meanwhile…

RTÉ inauguration coverage yesterday.

Heh.