US President Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States' commitment to providing support to both Israel and Ukraine while maintaining its international defense efforts. Speaking on CBS News in an interview telecast on Sunday, President Biden echoed a famous quote from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, emphasising the nation's role as "the essential nation." He also spoke about American citizens being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza
Biden stated, "We have the capacity to do this and we have an obligation to, we are the essential nation. We're the United States of America for God's sake, the most powerful nation in history—not in the world, in the history of the world. We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defense." Responding to a question about whether the United States could engage in both wars simultaneously, he added, "And if we don't, who does?"
President Biden's words come amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, where the United States has been actively supporting the Ukrainian government.
Furthermore, in the interview set to air on 60 Minutes, President Biden discussed the issue of American citizens being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza. When asked about the situation, he expressed determination, stating, "I say we're going to do everything in our power to find them. Everything in our power. And I'm not going to go into the detail of that, but there's — we're working like hell on it."
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The President revealed that he had spoken with family members of the 14 Americans who have been missing since Hamas initiated its deadly attack on Israel last weekend. During the conference call, which extended for over an hour, President Biden expressed his deep concern and commitment, emphasizing that "the president of the United States of America cares deeply about what's happened to them."
According to CBS News, he added, "We have to communicate to the world this is critical. This is not even human behavior. It's pure barbarism. And we're going to do everything in our power to get them home if we can find them."
The situation in the Middle East remains tense, with Israel's Prime Minister's office confirming more than 1,400 casualties on its side since the attack initiated by Hamas last Saturday. Meanwhile, authorities in Gaza reported over 2,450 casualties as a result of Israel's retaliatory strikes. The conflict continues to be a matter of international concern, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to seek a peaceful resolution.