
When Joe Biden stepped into the Oval Office in January 2021, he made some big promises. He vowed to restore America’s moral leadership, break away from Trump’s cozy relationships with dictators, and make human rights a top priority in U.S. foreign policy. It sounded like a fresh start. And, at first, it really seemed like Biden was serious.
He rejoined international agreements like the Paris climate accord, reengaged with the United Nations Human Rights Council, and made bold moves to promote LGBTQ+ rights abroad. He even called out Saudi Arabia, promising to make its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), a global “pariah” for his role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. For a while, it felt like the U.S. was back on track as a champion of democracy and human rights.
But over time, something shifted.
A Change in Tone
Biden’s early resolve gave way to something more familiar: strategic compromises and, frankly, a bit of hypocrisy. Sure, foreign policy is messy. But instead of standing firm, his administration often prioritized short-term geopolitical gains over the lofty principles he had campaigned on.
Take Saudi Arabia. Remember when Biden said he’d hold MBS accountable? Fast-forward to July 2022, and there’s Biden, fist-bumping the crown prince during a visit to the kingdom. The world was dealing with an energy crisis, thanks to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the U.S. needed Saudi cooperation to stabilize oil markets. The problem? That visit didn’t actually achieve much. Meanwhile, Saudi authorities used the moment to double down on their crackdowns, handing out absurdly long prison sentences for simple online activism.
It wasn’t just Saudi Arabia, either. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been implicated in fuelling atrocities in Sudan by supplying weapons to militias responsible for horrific violence. Yet, in 2023, Biden welcomed UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed to Washington with open arms, announcing closer defence ties without publicly addressing the UAE’s role in Sudan’s civil war.
Double Standards in War
The clearest example of Biden’s selective approach to human rights? His responses to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, the Biden administration rightly condemned Russian war crimes. It worked tirelessly to hold Moscow accountable, championing international legal norms. But then came the Israeli military campaign in Gaza in 2023. The destruction was staggering—tens of thousands of civilians killed, critical infrastructure obliterated—but the U.S. didn’t bat an eye. Instead, Biden’s administration continued sending arms to Israel without pushing for accountability or restraint, even as evidence of potential war crimes piled up.
It wasn’t just about Ukraine and Gaza, either. Biden approved sending controversial weapons like cluster munitions to Ukraine—despite international treaties banning them. Moves like this undermined global norms and made it harder for the U.S. to argue it’s on the moral high ground.
Human Rights and Great-Power Politics
Biden’s focus on countering China and Russia also came at a cost. Countries like India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were shielded from criticism despite serious human rights abuses and anti-democratic behaviour. Why? Because the U.S. sees India as a key partner in pushing back against China. Even after reports linked Indian agents to the assassination of a Sikh activist in the U.S., Biden welcomed Modi for a grand state visit in 2023.
The same pattern played out with Thailand. Despite its deteriorating human rights record, Washington avoided tough conversations, likely because Thailand is a critical player in U.S. military strategy in the Pacific.
What Could Have Been
Here’s the frustrating part: When Biden did stand up for human rights, it worked. Early in his presidency, his pressure on Saudi Arabia led to the release of high-profile political prisoners like Loujain al-Hathloul, a women’s rights activist. Cutting military aid to Egypt in 2021 and 2022 forced the Egyptian government to release some detainees. But by 2024, Biden had restored full military aid to Egypt, even though its human rights record had only gotten worse.
The administration did score some wins—sanctioning human rights abusers in Myanmar and Sudan, for example, or helping to avert a coup in Guatemala. But these successes were overshadowed by high-profile failures to hold key allies accountable.
The Bigger Picture
At the end of the day, Biden’s record on human rights is a mixed bag—and that’s putting it kindly. By turning a blind eye to abuses by U.S. allies and selectively applying international law, his administration has weakened the global rules it claims to defend. Authoritarian regimes are watching and taking notes. They see the inconsistencies, and it gives them cover to do whatever they want, without fear of serious consequences.
What’s worse, the U.S.’s moral authority—the thing that once set it apart—is now in question. It’s harder to preach democracy and human rights when your own actions suggest those values are negotiable.
Biden had a chance to set a new standard for American leadership. Instead, he’s left a legacy of missed opportunities and moral compromises that will haunt U.S. foreign policy for years to come.
Shariq Us Sabah is a published writer, and is interested in the Middle East Regional and its foreign policy. He can be contacted at [email protected]