Janice R. Andrews
The world was taken aback and, at times, mocked by the outcome of the most recent US presidential debate. In addition to shocking American viewers, President Biden’s shaky performance sparked a strong response from overseas media, especially in nations like China and Russia. The discussion was derided by America’s enemies as evidence of the country’s waning power, while allies voiced worries about the consequences for international stability.
Russian vitriol
The US presidential debate was harshly criticized by Russian media, and they did not hold back. President Biden’s appearance on Russian state TV, which was characterized by a “blank expression,” “half-open mouth,” and “unblinking eyes,” became the target of jeers. These themes were emphasized by Valentin Bogdanov, the head of RT’s New York bureau, who is sponsored by the Kremlin. Bogdanov focused on how unimpressive Biden was on stage. Many government-run Russian media channels took advantage of the chance to portray the United States negatively, emphasizing what they saw as the nation’s internal disarray and fractured culture.
Author of “Putin’s Playbook” and strategic military intelligence expert Rebekah Koffler pointed out that the discussion was widely reported by Russian media, frequently in an unfavorable way towards both candidates and the United States of America. Koffler claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin sees opportunities for Russia in the fragmented American society. Putin probably thinks that the US would fall into anarchy because of its extreme polarisation, which Russia may take advantage of, no matter what happens in the election.
In a contemptuous tone, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that although Putin admitted watching media reports, he thought the debate to be too dull to watch. Peskov emphasized that Russia has never meddled in US political campaigns and stressed that Russia has not released an official evaluation of the discussion. However, according to reports from Russian media outlets outside of the Kremlin, Putin is in a good position to set the terms of the ongoing war in Ukraine, especially if Donald Trump is elected president. This suggests that the debate was a success for Russia.
China’s derision
China’s response was similar to Russia’s mockery, albeit with a somewhat different emphasis. While state-run media, such as the Global Times, called the debate “the most chaotic presidential debate ever” and compared it to a reality show, official Chinese media mostly ignored it. China was not amused when Trump blamed Beijing for the COVID-19 outbreak and the US economic woes, as reported by The Global Times.
The Beijing News criticized both candidates, calling Biden “habitually confused” and charging Trump with circulating “rumors” rather than answering inquiries head-on. The Xinhua news agency criticized Trump for making inflated and incorrect claims while highlighting Biden’s verbal blunders and “unclear” comments.
Social media in China was ablaze with discussion of the argument. Hu Xijin, a former editor of official media, made fun of the US presidential debate, saying it was “very entertaining for many Chinese people” and that it was a bad promotion of Western democracy. The discussion was referred to as a “train wreck” and a “disaster” by some social media users, which supported the Chinese media’s portrayal of an America in disarray with an unclear political future.
Iranian apprehension
Iran responded more quietly, mainly because it was preoccupied with its presidential elections. But Lisa Daftari, the chief editor of The Foreign Desk and a specialist on the Middle East, cautioned that Biden’s performance would not go ignored by America’s enemies. Daftari underlined that, given the ongoing global crises including the situation in Taiwan, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the discussion might strengthen perceptions of American weakness and empower US adversaries like Iran.
Concerns from Partners
US allies had a range of reactions, most of them unenthusiastic. In a mysterious social media post, Polish Foreign Minister Radslaw Sikorski compared Biden to the legendary Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was unable to successfully oversee his succession. Some people perceived this as a negative parallel, raising questions about Biden’s leadership and the country’s future.
The French news organization Le Monde called the discussion a “terrible storm,” chastising Biden for trying to rattle Trump instead of offering meaningful responses. The German media met Biden’s candidature with similar criticism, with Der Spiegel likening the discussion to a “car accident” and Die Welt bemoaning his lack of enthusiasm while appreciating his steady demeanor and common sense.
Worldwide Consequences
An increasing perception of American dysfunction and deterioration is highlighted by the response from around the world to the US presidential debate. While friends voice alarm about the consequences for global security and leadership, adversaries like China and Russia are leveraging the issue to further their narratives of a weaker US. The forthcoming US elections hold great significance and might have a significant impact on international affairs, as evidenced by the concerns expressed by allies and the mockery of foes alike.
The way the US president performs on the international scene continues to have a significant impact on how people perceive him and how geopolitical dynamics are shaped. The responses to this discussion serve as a reminder of how intertwined world politics are and how domestic events have far-reaching effects on the international scene.
