Antony Blinken: 'From America First to America Together'

POLITICAL "SUPERSTAR"

In a recent comment, Mr. Joe Biden assessed Mr. Antony Blinken as a "superstar" in American politics. Mr. Antony - 58 years old - has been a familiar name in US foreign policy for nearly 2 decades, and is also someone who has a close and close relationship with Mr. Biden personally. Mr. Blinken is considered a close person in US officials, having served as National Security Advisor under President Barack Obama - when Mr. Biden was Vice President. Mr. Blinken also served as the highest-ranking assistant to Mr. Biden at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee or Deputy Secretary of State.

Antony Blinken is expected to be appointed as US Secretary of State if Joe Biden is confirmed as US President. Photo: Getty

Born and raised in a family with a diplomatic tradition, Mr. Antony's father is Donald Blinken - US Ambassador to Hungary from 1994-1997. His eldest brother was also President Bill Clinton's Ambassador to Hungary, and his uncle Alan was Ambassador to Belgium. Not only fluent in French, Mr. Blinken is also famous for his talent in playing the guitar. He also graduated from two prestigious schools, Harvard University and Columbia Law School. Blinken's extensive diplomatic experience has helped him become a famous figure in the political circles of many countries, especially in the international coalition againstThe self-proclaimed Islamic State organization(IS) as well as urging international sanctions against Russia over the Crimea issue.

"Antony Blinken is a balanced diplomat with an excellent reputation."

Colin Powell

If sworn in as the 71st Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Antony Blinken will have a long list of foreign policy challenges to face.Joe Biden administration- if elected will have to face and resolve. However, according to the assessment of some former US State Department officials, Mr. Blinken has important factors to succeed in the position of top US diplomat. That is deep trust, close relationship with the President, especially understanding of the entire structure and operation of the State Department as well as US politics.

Colin Powell - Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, supporterMr. Bidenduring this year's campaign commented, "Mr. Blinken is an excellent choice. He is an experienced and accomplished foreign policy expert." And that, "he is a balanced diplomat with an excellent reputation who can represent the United States with his inherent skills and professionalism."

Mr. Antony Blinken (right) used to be a close assistant to Mr. Joe Biden. Photo: Getty

“NEW BUT OLD” POLICY

According to observers, if appointed, Mr. Antony Blinken will be a strong contrast to the current US Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo. Typically, Mr. Blinken is said to pursue a policy that the US needs to restore alliances as well as join hands to solve urgent global problems such as climate change. Blinken's general policy is encapsulated as "America Together" rather than "America First"President Donald Trump's administrationis pursuing. Also, Blinken is considered a politician who follows multilateralism, internationalism and especially tends to support relations with Europe - America's traditional allies. In a statement in 2016, Mr. Blinken once affirmed that, "Simply put, it is safer for the American people when we have friends, partners and allies."

Mr. Blinken's relationship with Europe is considered deep and personal.

Looking back at his years working under the Barack Obama administration, Mr. Blinken's relationship with Europe is considered deep and personal. He also has a strong belief in the transatlantic alliance. At the same time, he also described Europe as an "important partner" and rejected the Trump administration's plan to withdraw troops from Germany as a "strategic failure" that weakens the NATO alliance and benefits Russia.

Or with major foreign policies such as terrorism, climate, pandemic response, trade or even the Iran nuclear deal, Mr. Blinken even has a "mantra" that "America needs to cooperate with allies and maintain a presence in international treaties and organizations." Mr. Blinken personally also considers the US leadership role in multilateral institutions as necessary. Notably, when he was Deputy Secretary of State under Barack Obama, Mr. Blinken also supported stronger US involvement in the Syrian battlefield as well as armed intervention in Libya.

Mr. Blinken's view at that time was that there needed to be a strong deterrent, in which force could be a necessary support tool to realize foreign policy goals. Mr. Blinken also admitted that the United States, in an attempt to avoid a quagmire like in Iraq, did too little in Syria. And that was a mistake! Moreover, Mr. Blinken's "strong" view is also clearly present in relations with China and Russia.

The trio of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Antony Blinken used to work closely and effectively together (In photo: A meeting in the Oval Office on November 4, 2010). Photo: White House

According to observers, if placed in the hands of Antony Blinken, America's foreign policy will certainly appease its allies and bring America closer to the world. However, there are also opinions that with a series of personnel who were present in the Barack Obama administration such as Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan or John Kerry...., America's foreign policy will be more predictable. And that is a disadvantage for America!

Some have also argued that Mr. Blinken seems to have supported some of the foreign policies that are considered wrong by the Biden and Obama duo - that is, the tendency to intervene too much outside the US. Mr. Blinken is even said to have a tendency to intervene more than the two figures combined. Not to mention, Mr. Blinken will also have to face challenges within the political arena, when the Republicans will certainly focus their attacks on the policies under Barack Obama that Mr. Blinken intends to "revive", for example, the Iran nuclear issue./.