Joe Biden in UN avers peace still possible in conflicts in Mideast and Ukraine, reflects on Afghanistan withdrawal

President Joe Biden declared in his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday (September 24, 2024) that the U.S. must not retreat from the world, as Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon edged toward all-out war and Israel’s bloody operation against Hamas in Gaza neared the one-year mark.

Mr. Biden used his wide-ranging address to speak to a need to end the Middle East conflict and the 17-month-old civil war in Sudan and to highlight U.S. and Western allies’ support for Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He also raised concern over artificial intelligence and its potential to be used for repression.

His appearance before the international body offered Mr. Biden one of his last high-profile opportunities as president to make the case to keep up robust support for Ukraine, which could be in doubt if former President Donald Trump defeats Vice President Kamala Harris in November. Mr. Biden insisted that despite global conflicts, he remains hopeful for the future.