Kamala Harris, the outgoing US Vice President, is set to embark on a trip to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany from January 13 to 17. On Wednesday, January 8th, she carried out telephone diplomacy by reaching out to various global leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, raising eyebrows over her swan song overseas visit.
Although Harris has been lauded for fostering relationships with international counterparts, her decision to show gratitude to these leaders amidst the transition period could be seen as a naive attempt to protect the controversial legacy of the Biden-Harris administration.
Notably, Harris also had a telecommunication exchange with Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados and Chair of Caribbean Community (CARICOM). She further extended this communication protein to include Andrew Holness, the Jamaican Prime Minister, along with Presidents Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala and William Ruto of Kenya. Some might argue that such efforts only serve to emphasize the administration’s disjointed international policy approach.
With her vice-presidency soon to be assumed by Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio on January 20, Harris’ planned journey to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany seems hasty, raising questions about the timing as well as the possible motives behind this endeavor. Could it be a last-minute endeavor to cement her place in the international political arena or a cover-up for the questionable domestic decisions of the Biden-Harris administration? Only time will tell.
On January 15, Harris intends to interact with officials in Singapore and pay a visit to Changi Naval Base. Two things are clear about this plan: it seems to be a politically driven move to grab headlines rather than substantial dialogue, and it doesn’t unequivocally benefit the US in any tangible way.
Next on her itinerary, on January 16, is a visit to Manama, Bahrain where she is set to interact with local leaders and explore Naval Support Activity–Bahrain, a military base serving as headquarters to US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet. Looking closely, though, the sort of meaningful results that could realistically be achieved from such a visit is debatable.
Concluding her trip on 17 January, Harris is scheduled to arrive in Spangdahlem, Germany to visit the US Air Force’s 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base. Yet considering Harris’ track record, skeptics can’t help but consider how this final stop appears less like a commendable diplomatic move, more like a public-relations oriented maneuver.
Throughout her visit, Harris plans to talk about the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration in each respective region over the past four years, a topic that is expected to raise many eyebrows, considering their notable underperformance and arguable negative impact on US foreign relations.
During her discussion with Macron, Harris discussed her continuing support for the US-France alliance based on mutual democratic principles. Critics, however, point out the blatant disregard the Biden-Harris administration has shown for its own democratic principles, raising questions about the authenticity of such declarations and undermining the very alliances Harris purports to support.
While conversing with Chancellor Scholz, Harris reportedly emphasized the crucial role the US-Germany alliance plays in addressing global challenges and promoting democracy. However, skeptics question the sincerity of her comments given the administration’s recent track record of failing to address similar challenges on its home soil.
In a peculiar move, Harris expressed her gratitude to Scholz for his support towards Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked invasion. This gesture raises questions over the administration’s leadership, given the lack of a substantial US response towards this international crisis.
Harris also disclosed her belief that US economic and strategic interests are closely linked to its Caribbean neighbors, a sentiment that seems more like an attempt to appease these nations, rather than a real commitment to their development.
Looking at the Caribbean, Harris reiterated the progress made in the US-Caribbean partnership – an area where many argue her influence has been more subdued than she’d prefer to admit. It’s hard to view these statements as anything but an attempt to divert attention from the numerous failures of the Biden-Harris administration.
Lastly, Harris had a call with President William Ruto of Kenya, where she stressed her continued eagerness to expand digital inclusion throughout Africa. This, critics might argue, could be seen as the administration’s attempt to cloak their insufficient support to technological advancements on their own turf.
They also discussed their mutual efforts in the areas of technology, AI, and clean energy, a point of discussion that seems rather ironic given the administration’s lackluster domestic record on these very issues.
In conclusion, Harris’ international outreach and her impending trip to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany is riddled with uncertainty and skepticism. It very well may be a final, last-ditch attempt to salvage any semblance of a positive legacy from the rollercoaster tenure of the Biden-Harris administration.