CODEPINK’s Medea Benjamin: Biden’s Foreign Policy So Far Is Hugely Disappointing

CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin joins Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola to go through President Joe Biden’s foreign policy agenda during his administration’s first 100 days.

Her organization put together a poll for people to grade the Biden administration. Medea gives the Biden White House a “D,” which is barely a passing grade.

Biden has pulled back from some of the extremism of his predecessor, President Donald Trump. The United States re-entered the Paris climate agreement, the new START treaty was renewed with Russia, the Muslim ban was lifted, and there are plans for a withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan (though she notes Trump negotiated a withdrawal).

But Biden has also failed terribly and instead promoted militarism and prolonged inhumane policies. As Medea highlights, crippling sanctions remain in force against Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela. The U.S. military continues to support the Saudi war on Yemen, and the administration has delayed returning to the Iran nuclear deal.

Later in the episode, Medea discusses how it is harder to organize for peace under a Democratic administration and highlights some of the campaign work that CODEPINK is engaged in while Biden is in the White House.