Biden To Address Us On Israel, Ukraine Crises

US President Joe Biden is set to address the nation, less than 24 hours after returning from a critical solidarity visit to Israel following the deadly Hamas attack on October 7. This move comes as the 80-year-old President, who aims for re-election in 2024, seeks to garner support for the defense of both Israel and Ukraine, as crises facing U.S. allies continue to mount. Biden's primetime speech coincides with his plan to request a $100 billion package from Congress, which includes funding for Ukraine and Israel, at a time when political divides within the Republican party have left the legislative body paralyzed. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre revealed that the President's speech will focus on the U.S. response to Hamas' terrorist attacks against Israel and Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably, this will be only the second time Biden has addressed the nation from behind the historic Resolute Desk, typically reserved for moments of paramount national significance. While Biden's speech will undoubtedly address domestic concerns, particularly his approval ratings, its location in the Oval Office underscores the gravity of the global challenges that the U.S. confronts. President Biden's actions are closely watched by global rivals, with Russia's Vladimir Putin emphasizing the strengthening of ties during talks with China's Xi Jinping in Beijing. Biden's recent visit to Israel involved delicate diplomacy, especially after key Arab allies Jordan and Egypt canceled a meeting with him over a strike on a Gaza hospital. The President maintained that U.S. intelligence supported Israel's claim that the strike resulted from a rocket misfire by Palestinian militants, while Hamas blamed Israel for the incident, causing widespread outrage in the Muslim world.