
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Theodore Roosevelt expressed his foreign policy very succinctly. ; He said America talks softly but carries a big stick. ; It is noteworthy that this was before America led the world to victories in World War I and War World II – establishing that the United States military was the biggest stick in the world.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Biden embraces the antithesis of that policy. ; He speaks tough and tosses the stick to the side. ; We saw the tragic results of that approach in Afghanistan. ;  ; Remember how the steely-eyed Biden looked into the cameras and said that the Taliban would not take over the country for a long time? ; Or how they would hold down al Qaeda? ; That we would not leave until every American and Afghan partner was safely out of the country? ; How would he extend the retreat until that was accomplished? ; Tough talk … followed by capitulation.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In terms of Ukraine, Biden used tough language – and threats of crushing sanctions – if Putin invaded. ; He followed up his tough talk with the removal of all American military from Afghanistan – putting a welcome mat over Ukraine.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Well, Biden did it again in his recent UN speech. ; It was a lot of tough talk directed at Russia and the UN in general – with the notable exception of China. ; His friends in the media gave the speech high praise – some saying it was his best speech ever. ; Of course, they say that about almost every tough Biden speech in which he does not have a major gaffe.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Since words are cheap, Biden’s UN speech did not have a lot of real-world value. ; It changed nothing. ; But what better place to give a meaningless speech than before the United Nations – an institution that is characterized by tough talk leading to … nothing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a recent television interview, United States UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield updated America on her activities at the international Peacekeeping(?) body. ; She condemned Russia in the strongest terms. ; Talk. ; Talk. ; Talk. ; She said Russia has been “isolated” at the UN. ; Really? ; In what way? ; Empty talk. ; Putin still has his veto &#8212; ; and membership on the Security Council</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While America is talking at the UN, Putin is conscripting more than 300,000 soldiers and purchasing billions of dollars of new weaponry from North Korea. ; When Putin talks tough, it is almost always just before another round of real tough actions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Academically graded, Biden gave a very good speech – well delivered. Unfortunately, it changed nothing – not even US policy in dealing with Putin. ; Nothing but words.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

Biden talks tough at UN … and talks … and talks
