The Crisis That Defined Blinken’s First Year
The New York Times
As the secretary of state enters his second year in office, Russia threatens, China looms and Afghanistan remains a challenge.
WASHINGTON — The arc of Antony J. Blinken’s first year as secretary of state could be broken down into two distinct eras: before and after Afghanistan.
Before Afghanistan — before the Taliban seized control of the capital in August, forcing the closure of the U.S. Embassy and the chaotic evacuation of more than 124,000 people — Mr. Blinken’s efforts to restore American leadership in the world appeared to be paying off.
Allies welcomed the renewed attention after feeling mistreated during the Trump years. A burst of shuttle diplomacy helped quell an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas. Even a heated public debate with Chinese envoys became a moment for the new secretary of state to highlight the Biden administration’s top foreign policy priority.
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