A lone voice

With a no-show from leaders of the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, Biden had the P-5 stage to himself. — AFP

FIGURATIVELY and literally, the United States was once again talking to the world in its customary roles as host, leader and force for good – or at least champion against misery and evil. President Joe Biden struck all the right notes in New York as he addressed the 193 nations gathered in the General Assembly of the United Nations. And yet, his appeals will be far from enough to hold the world together.

In some ways this session, the UN’s 78th, could and should have highlighted America’s role as the only plausible ward – or “hegemon” – over whatever remains of the liberal international order built after World War II. The leaders of the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, France and the UK – didn’t show up. Biden had the P-5 stage to himself.