15.11.2026 23:44
Former US President Joe Biden, in his new memoir, stated that he does not trust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing him for distorting the facts and using democratic institutions for his personal interests. Biden, who stood behind the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, likened Russian President Vladimir Putin to a 'teenager' due to his behavior at meetings.
Former US President Joe Biden stated in his new memoir "Promise Me, America" that his trust in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was limited.
According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report, in his book published after the Democrats' success in the midterm elections, Biden evaluated his domestic and foreign policy decisions during his presidency.
DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN
Biden stated that he believed the decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan was correct and that if he were president again under the same conditions, he would make the same decision again.
Recounting that then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley were concerned about the consequences of the decision, Biden noted that he had been assured that the Afghan government could survive for at least 6 months after the departure of US forces, but that this period ended within a few days.
HE WROTE THAT HIS TRUST IN NETANYAHU WAS LIMITED
In the section where he touched on his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden stated that Netanyahu prioritized his short-term political future rather than Israel's long-term needs.
Stating that his trust in Netanyahu was limited, Biden assessed: "There was not much trust (between us). I was also worried about Bibi's (Netanyahu's) tendencies similar to those of Trump. He could be extremely flexible regarding the facts and had no hesitation about bending democratic institutions to his own personal interests."
Biden stated that he did not regret standing behind the support he gave to Israel after October 7, 2023, but that the killing of a large number of innocent Palestinians caused him "deep sorrow."
HE LIKENED PUTIN TO TEENAGERS
Arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin has a "grumpy tone" and that during meetings he "sprawls out as if trying to appear disinterested like a teenager," Biden recounted that he thought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's acting background was "actually a very good training" for a wartime leader.