Challenges in Middle East overshadow Biden's agenda amidst White House's grand state dinner with Australian PM

President Joe Biden's efforts to enhance relationships in the Pacific region are once again being overshadowed by other urgent matters. This time, the looming conflict in the Middle East is casting a shadow over his grand reception for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Biden's invitation to the Australian leader can be seen as a consolation prize. Earlier this year, he had to abruptly cancel his planned visit to Australia due to a critical debt crisis that required immediate attention in Washington. This unexpected change of plans was perceived as a manifestation of the dysfunctional state of American politics, impeding the administration's efforts to counter China's expanding influence in the Pacific.

Five months from now, Albanese will receive a grand reception at the White House, complete with the finest symbols of American diplomacy. A distinguished state dinner, where attendees will be dressed in formal black-tie attire, will take place in a tent specially set up on the South Lawn.

Presently, the president and his team are fully engrossed in the escalating crisis in the Middle East. They are concurrently handling efforts to secure the release of hostages in Gaza, alleviate a humanitarian crisis, provide crucial assistance to Israel, and prevent the outbreak of a broader conflict in the region.

The conflict in Israel has compelled the Biden administration to extensively readjust its foreign policy agenda amidst a surge of global areas of tension. Authorities assert their aptitude in addressing this new conflict in conjunction with other foreign policy objectives, citing the recent state visit as proof of their multitasking abilities. Advisers argue that no previous president has had the privilege of dealing with a single crisis at a time.

"I remain unconvinced that wisdom and experience are detrimental - and now we are witnessing that," stated former Representative Cedric Richmond, who co-chairs Biden's 2024 reelection campaign, in an interview with CNN.

One ex-high-ranking US official noted that the absence of Cabinet-level resignations indicates that the Biden team is capable of effectively managing multiple issues concurrently. They emphasized that no administration can focus on just one issue at a time, particularly in regards to national security and foreign policy. The official affirmed that the team is highly skilled and knowledgeable in these areas.

However, it is evident that the Israel-Hamas conflict has introduced a fresh and probably enduring aspect to Biden's foreign policy objectives.

Biden's recent travels in Asia included attending meetings with G20 leaders and making a stop in Vietnam to address the growing challenge posed by China. Additionally, just three weeks ago, he welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington to emphasize the immediate requirement for increased assistance to Ukraine. Furthermore, in a recent public interview, Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, indicated that, compared to the past two decades, the Middle East is currently relatively calmer despite escalating threats in other regions.

Sullivan cautioned that things could change, and they did just eight days later when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. This sparked intense diplomatic efforts by the US, leading to a last-minute trip to Tel Aviv by the president.

With conflicts increasing globally, doubts have been raised about the long-term viability of US involvement, particularly as public support for certain conflicts diminishes. The White House had already faced difficulties in obtaining billions of dollars in new funding for Ukraine. Now, President Biden is seeking $61 billion for Ukraine and an additional $14 billion for Israeli security. This move has drawn early criticism from Republicans.

In addition to the existing challenges, Biden faces yet another hurdle as he deals with a dysfunctional Congress. As Albanese visits the White House on Tuesday evening, the US House of Representatives will have been without a permanent speaker, causing legislative paralysis, for 21 days. Senior officials in the Biden administration are concerned that a lack of additional funding for Ukraine could soon escalate into a significant battlefield issue.

Not a kids soccer game

Biden, asked on CBS "60 Minutes" this month whether two wars is more than the US can take, was defiant.

"We are the United States of America, for God's sake, the most powerful nation in the world, not just currently, but in the entire history of the world," expressed Biden. "We have the capability to address both of these conflicts and simultaneously uphold our global defense responsibilities."

However, it is not solely limited to these two ongoing wars where the administration is investing its resources and intelligence. Moreover, experts assert that it is crucial to support allies such as Israel and Ukraine, while also effectively managing adversaries in other regions, as these responsibilities should not be seen as incompatible with each other.

"This is not comparable to a children's soccer game where you can simply focus on the current issue," stated Michèle Flournoy, the former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, in an interview with CNN. "It is crucial to prioritize what is truly significant and have a long-term perspective."

In line with this, aides are arranging a meeting between President Biden and China's President Xi Jinping - whom the White House refers to as a "strategic competitor" - to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC summit in San Francisco next month.

Neither side has confirmed the meeting, but if it takes place, it will be the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders in over a year. Biden aims to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China's influence, while also pursuing economic policies to address perceived trade imbalances. The White House has been strategically managing the relationship between the two powers, recognizing its broader implications for geopolitical stability.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to travel to Washington this week, according to senior administration officials on Monday. The purpose of his visit is to further advance preparations for an upcoming meeting between the leaders of the two countries, scheduled for next month. During his stay in the US capital from October 26th to 28th, Wang will hold meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Nevertheless, it remains undisclosed whether Wang will also meet with President Joe Biden. Notably, Secretary Blinken had met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing in June, rendering this trip by Wang as a reciprocal visit.

The war between Israel and Gaza has caused a temporary halt in the efforts to improve relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. US officials publicly state that they plan to resume these efforts but acknowledge that the conflict has caused disruptions. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated this week that there is a different focus in Israel and Riyadh currently, which the administration understands.

During his three years in office, Biden has actively worked to strengthen the alliance with Australia, recognizing its growing significance in the face of Beijing's military and economic aggressions.

In 2021, Biden, along with Australia and the United Kingdom, introduced the AUKUS partnership. This collaborative effort aimed to coordinate the military forces of these nations in the region. A key aspect of this agreement was the provision of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, a move that was widely seen as a strategic response to China's expanding military aspirations in the Pacific.

Biden has revitalized the Quad partnership, consisting of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, as part of his efforts to enhance American alliances.

The White House has announced that Biden and Albanese will unveil fresh initiatives for collaboration in technology, specifically artificial intelligence and clean energy, on Wednesday. Additionally, they will emphasize new strategies to enable American companies to conduct space launches from Australia.

A dinner as many are facing sorrow and pain

According to John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, the meeting in the Oval Office between the two leaders is expected to address the crisis in the Middle East. However, Kirby emphasized that dealing with a wide range of both domestic and foreign issues is an integral part of their responsibilities.

"He serves as the commander in chief, continuously fulfilling his duties and assuming global responsibilities," stated Kirby. He further remarked that if lawmakers would support Biden's request for additional funding, the task would become more manageable.

Nonetheless, Kirby praised the president's exceptional management skills, attributing them to his extensive government experience, wise decision-making, and strong relationships.

The state dinner was originally scheduled to include a performance by the renowned B-52s, known for their hit song "Love Shack." However, this performance was ultimately canceled. Instead, instrumental music for the event will be provided by the esteemed Presidents Own Marine Band and the Army and Air Force strolling strings. The B-52s will still be in attendance at the dinner, but purely as guests.

During a preview of the state dinner on Tuesday evening, Dr. Biden spoke with reporters about the importance of nurturing our partnerships and relationships with allies, particularly during these unsettled times. She emphasized the comforting, reassuring, and healing nature of food, expressing hope that this dinner will provide a dose of those qualities as well.

"We had initially planned for the legendary B-52s to perform their iconic dance and party music, but given the current circumstances where many people are experiencing sorrow and pain," she explained. "Therefore, we have decided to make a few adjustments to the entertainment part of the evening."

Dr. Biden mentioned that the event's decor, which consists of light blue and purple table settings and flowers, drew inspiration from "the lively Australian spring and the crisp American autumn, symbolizing the changing seasons across our beautifully diverse landscape." To ensure a delightful experience for the guests, she enlisted the help of Bryan Rafanelli, the event planner who successfully organized her granddaughter Naomi's wedding at the White House last year.

The menu was developed by the first lady in collaboration with guest chef Katie Button, a nominee for the James Beard Award and owner of the popular tapas restaurant Cúrate in Asheville, North Carolina. Also involved were White House executive chef Cris Comerford and White House executive pastry chef Susie Morrison. Additional reporting by CNN's Nikki Carvajal and Arlette Saenz.