In her immortal study of history, The March of Folly from Troy to Vietnam, Barbara Tuchman concludes:
A phenomenon noticeable throughout history regardless of place or period is the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests. Mankind, it seems, makes a poorer performance of government than of almost any other human activity. In this sphere, wisdom, which may be defined as the exercise of judgment acting on experience, common sense and available information, is less operative and more frustrated than it should be. Why do holders of high office so often act contrary to the way reason points and enlightened self-interest suggests? Why does intelligent mental process seem so often not to function?
President Joe Biden assumed office with considerably longer experience in foreign policy matters than any of his predecessors going back all the way to George Washington. He was the Vice President of the United States for 8 years under President Obama; he held the chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee (2001-2003); and was first elected to the Senate in 1973.
Another splendid advantage Biden had is that he succeeded Donald Trump, who was virtually a bull in the china shop. By pledging, as a candidate, to reverse Trump’s major mistakes, Biden started his presidency with abundant good will and high expectations from America and the rest of the world.
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