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Joe Biden takes sworn in as the 46th president of the world’s most powerful country, on Wednesday (today) during the 59th Presidential Inaugural ceremony guarded by more than 24,000 troops and face masks to ward off two potentially lethal foes— an unrelenting virus and a frenzied mob.
The inauguration ceremony is normally a time of huge crowds gathering in the capital; however, Biden, joined by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, were almost alone on the empty National Mall due to coronavirus SOPs and heightened security after the fatal riot at the US Capitol.
Riots and clashes
Biden’s inauguration is taking place under the shadow of the unprecedented health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protests at the West Front of the US capitol. The security in the capital had been strengthened amid a high level of security concerns following the riots that took place on 6 January 2021 in the Capitol.
On the other hand, Americans were exhorted to stay at home to prevent the further spread of a surging virus that has claimed 400,000 American lives.
Biden pledged to unite the country
In November, in his victory speech in his hometown, Wilmington, Biden pledged to unite the country as he called it ‘a time to heal in America’. “I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify; who doesn’t see red states and blue states, only sees the United States,” Biden said.
Trump, who has not appeared in public for several days, broke days of silence with a pre-recorded farewell video address. Trump stoked grievance among his supporters with the claim that Biden’s win was illegitimate.
For the first time, Trump asked Americans to “pray” for the success of the incoming administration — a change from months spent persuading his Republican followers that the Democrats cheated their way to election victory.
Expectation of issuance executive orders
Biden is expected to issue a series of executive orders aimed at reversing some of his predecessor’s egregious excesses. Reports hint the ban on arrivals from a bunch of mainly Muslim countries will be rescinded, the US will realign itself with the Paris climate change accord, mask-wearing will be made obligatory on federal property and during interstate travel in the view of the pandemic, and restrictions on evictions and foreclosures will be extended.
Reuniting refugee children ferociously separated from their families will also be a priority. More history will be made as Kamala Harris becomes the first woman to become vice president. The former US senator from California is also the first Black person and first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency and will become the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in government.
Pakistan looks forward to working with Joe Biden
The government of Pakistan has expressed a desire to working with the winner of the United States election Joe Biden. Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier said Pakistan wants “even-handed treatment” from the United States with respect to India, especially on the Kashmir issue.
He warned that the region was a hotspot and could flare up at any time. “That’s why we expect the US, as the strongest country in the world, to be even-handed, the elected president. The US thinks India will contain China, which is a completely flawed premise,” the PM said.
Today, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that a new world is being established out of which new priorities are coming forward. He said Pakistan and the incoming US administration have a lot of commonalities.
“Challenges will be there. I’m not saying they won’t be there. We have to face the facts, but I believe Pakistan has a lot to offer,” said Qureshi. Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan desires to engage with the new US administration for the enhancement of bilateral relations and mutual interests.
The minister said US President-elect Joe Biden has a clear perspective about the South Asian region. He said the two sides have the conformity of views about Afghanistan and other priorities such as the coronavirus pandemic and the strategy to deal with the climate change issue.
Will the new US govt restore American’s reputation?
In fact, Trump’s presidency had left the US more divided and polarised than ever, making almost a civil-war-like position in the country.
For most Americans, it is a combat for the soul of the nation. But its effects will be similarly consequential for the globe at large. Perhaps Trump the most controversial American president in recent history has disrupted the existing world order.
Rejecting multilateralism, he had pursued a policy of unilateralism and American exclusiveness thus intensifying international conflicts. The fall of Trump would at least restore some order to America’s relations with other countries, in particular its allies. We are seeing a frightened and divided America right now. The biggest challenge for Biden will be to restore America’s reputation towards the world.
It is imperative to fix the remnants of Trump in US foreign policy that will be a key task for the Biden administration. It hoped that the Biden administration will raise its voice against the serious human rights violations across the world, including Kashmir.
