Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken made his final trip as America’s top diplomat last week, receiving a warm welcome in Paris, where he was honored by France’s president, Emmanuel Macron. At a ceremony at the Élysée Palace, Macron awarded Blinken the Legion of Honor medal, which Blinken described as “the honor of a lifetime.”
In stark contrast, Blinken faced protests during his farewell speech in Washington, where a demonstrator accused him of being responsible for genocide, and another protester was removed for calling him a war criminal. This duality highlights the mixed legacy of Blinken’s four-year tenure, marked by significant involvement in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
While the defense of Ukraine against Russia garnered widespread support, the conflict in Gaza, ignited by Hamas attacks, became a contentious issue for the Biden administration. Critics accused Blinken of compromising the principles he championed in Ukraine as Israeli military actions resulted in significant Palestinian casualties.
In an interview, Blinken acknowledged the extensive focus on war during his time at the State Department, stating that it has consumed much of their efforts. He emphasized that the Biden administration has sought to strengthen international partnerships in a complex global landscape.
Blinken’s career has been shaped by previous conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and personal experiences related to World War II. He reflected on the importance of vigilance against humanity's darker tendencies during the Paris ceremony.
His tenure has been marked by numerous crises, including violence in Yemen, Syria, and Sudan, with Blinken often engaged in efforts to resolve conflicts. However, his legacy is complicated by the wars he oversaw, particularly the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was widely criticized.
Blinken’s significant challenge arose with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, where he played a crucial role in rallying international support against Russian aggression. His diplomatic efforts led to a coalition of nations supplying aid to Ukraine, although he became more of a war strategist than a peacemaker as the conflict continued.
In contrast, his response to the conflict in Gaza was fraught with difficulties. Following the October 2023 Hamas attacks, Blinken expressed personal anguish but faced criticism for the U.S. support of Israel amid rising Palestinian casualties. His attempts to balance humanitarian concerns with military support for Israel often met with resistance.
Despite his efforts, Blinken’s influence appeared to wane as Israeli officials sometimes publicly contradicted his positions. Critics argued that only a withdrawal of military aid could alter Israel’s approach, a stance that was never adopted by the Biden administration.
As protests against him intensified, Blinken maintained that public officials should not be harassed in their private lives. He faced a challenging legacy, with public opinion toward the U.S. becoming increasingly negative in regions where its actions were seen as hypocritical.
While a recent agreement between Israel and Hamas may provide a positive note for his legacy, Blinken’s broader ambitions, including a potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, remain unfulfilled. He acknowledged the complexities of war and the lack of clear resolutions, reflecting on the enduring challenges faced by diplomats.
Ultimately, Blinken leaves office with a legacy intertwined with conflict, grappling with the moral complexities of international diplomacy and the human suffering that accompanies war.