Navigating Change: The Transition from Biden to Trump in a Shifting Global Landscape

In recent months, I’ve been meeting with Mike Waltz, my successor as National Security Adviser. He made an important point: for those who think this transition is an opportunity to outsmart us, they’re mistaken.

As an American, I genuinely wish the new National Security Council team the best. Their mission is critical: to protect our interests and promote a more peaceful world.

The next administration, like mine, will navigate a world that’s changing rapidly. The days of the post-Cold War era are behind us. We’re in a competition that influences economics, technology, and values. The last four years have brought both challenges and changes.

I take pride in how much stronger the United States has become during this time. We are in a better position to lead and influence this new global landscape in ways that align with our values.

One major highlight is our alliances. NATO is more united than ever. When we began, only nine countries spent 2% of their GDP on defense. Now, 23 do, with more countries on the path to follow. Europe was initially focused on a trade agreement with China, but now they are joining us in standing up to China’s aggressive policies.

In the Indo-Pacific region, our partnerships with nations like Japan and Korea are stronger than before. We’ve established the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the U.K. for advanced submarines, and our ties with India have never been closer. The Quad alliance with India, Japan, and Australia is also thriving. These collaborations have led to real improvements in our combined capabilities and a stronger position against China.

In the Middle East, our relationships with Israel, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are robust. We’ve worked closely with a regional coalition to counter Iran’s threats to Israel and engaged in efforts that aim to bring peace in conflicts involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas.

On the global stage, America’s rivals are feeling pressure. Iran is facing significant challenges. Its main ally, Bashar al-Assad, has diminished influence. Our backing of Israel has played a crucial role in weakening Iran’s position in the region.

Russia’s attempts to take Kyiv fell flat, resulting in huge losses. Ukraine is standing strong and maintaining its independence without American troops on the ground.

When we began our administration, many believed China’s economy would surpass ours soon. However, we’ve widened our lead in key areas, including artificial intelligence. We’ve also worked with various countries to help establish safe AI practices.

Today, America’s national power is on the rise. Our supply chains are more resilient, and we’re investing in our manufacturing capacity—especially in technologies vital for our security.

We also took important steps to ensure that China does not gain access to our most sensitive technologies, especially advanced semiconductors. We implemented targeted export controls and built international coalitions to strengthen our position.

Moreover, we revitalized our defense industrial base, investing in submarines, missiles, and innovative technologies. It’s clear that we need to provide a genuine alternative to China’s investment strategies, which is why we launched the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. This initiative mobilizes private investments to build infrastructure and strengthens our supply chains across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Challenges remain worldwide, including in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. While our adversaries may be aligning due to their isolation, we hold a strong position. Our alliances are solid, our competitors are weaker, and we’re not entrenched in wars. Our supply chains are growing stronger, and our technological foundations are being secured.

As President Biden often says, betting against America is not wise. We are well-prepared to face the challenges ahead.