What is the “Quad”? It is the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a loose association of the United State, Japan, Australia and India with a “commitment to supporting Indo Pacific countries’ efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific – a region which is inclusive and resilient, and in which states strive to protect the interests of their people, free from coercion.”
In short, how do we prevent domination of the region by totalitarian governments like, for example, China?
It was established by George W. Bush in 2007, and then re-established by Donald Trump in 2017. Its primary purpose seems to be the “soft containment” of China. It has been compared to NATO but is not nearly so cohesive and has not evolved a military aspect. This group also seems to have influence with the rest of the countries in the area, supporting and perhaps guiding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
This was an effort that I had not been aware of previously, and it seems that we have the right players involved to counter China’s increasing aggression and ambitions for dominance in the area.
What is Biden doing with it?
According to the February 11, 2022 joint statement, it doesn’t seem like he is focused much on China, or the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Aside from the “motherhood and apple pie” issues that had been established previously, he appears to be mostly pushing the Democrat liberal agenda.
Here is what I pull from this:
Covid? Sure, why not talk about vaccine distribution in a meeting of the four strategic partners who can face down China? It’s not like we have two dozen other forums in which to talk about this, right?
Renewable Energy? Really?? Let’s tackle this expensive and unpopular topic to push into the third world ASEAN nations who don’t care and can’t afford the Biden green agenda. Why not push the ASEAN nations into a disagreeable mood, disgusted with the tone deaf notions of their big brothers in the Quad.
Disinformation? This is just Biden’s insertion of a Democrat Party propaganda meme. Wholly inappropriate.
In short, Biden is squandering an opportunity. He could be establishing leadership and direction to counter China’s exploitation and power grab of the whole area in a group of nations that could make a difference.
He could be using the forum to bring India closer to an alliance of powerful free world nations. He could be creating new opportunities for trade and cooperation.
But no. Biden wants to impress his hardcore constituency in the Democrat Party, and is wasting time.
But after all of the dismal, disappointing, catastrophic failures of the Biden Administration in the past year, what else might you expect?
Another meeting of the Quad is coming up. What happens next?