America’s standing internationally has never been as low as it is today. Attitudes towards the United States have become increasingly negative over the past six years, according to a series of recent international public opinion polls. A recent BBC world service poll of 26,000 people in 25 countries of the world confirmed that just 29% now feel that the United States exerts a mainly positive influence on the world. That compares with 36% who felt that way a year ago and 40% who felt that way two years ago. America’s standing internationally has never been lower. When asked about the US military presence in the Middle East, an average of 68% of respondents answered that it provokes more conflict than it prevents.The war in Iraq is not only seen as a failure, but it has also caused people in the rest of the world to think of America in terms of “cowboy diplomacy”. America’s global reputation stands or falls not on its words, but on its deeds. And cosmetic changes do not improve the situation. The fact of the matter is, we have done tremendous harm to our image. In order to improve on our present dilemma, the US must build on its strengths and its effectiveness, especially in the war-torn Middle East. The United States must take the lead in regional conferences that deal with Iraq, Israel, Palestine and with other issues that face that region.

Now, more than ever the USA will need global coalitions to tackle global problems like climate change, poverty, AIDS, and terrorism. To keep our country safe we will need to start reuniting with our friends and engaging with our enemies.

The next President’s most urgent task will be to restore America’s standing in the world and promote our interests, advance our values, ensure our security. America is stronger when we lead the world in alliances and build our foreign policy on a strong foundation of bipartisan consensus and moral behavior.

Joe Biden knows that the Bush administration has left the next President with virtually no margin of error diplomatically. But with decades of experience on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and now its Chairman, Joe Biden is by far the most qualified candidate to clean up the mess that George Bush has made.

Russia is rising on the world stage, using oil as its leverage. China is becoming a greater force both politically and militarily. Democracy continues to struggle in Latin America and oil has empowered dictators throughout the world to hold us hostage with their high prices. We need to check the nuclear intentions of Iran, we need to monitor North Korea’s progress on nuclear weapons. America needs a President with Joe Biden’s experience to address these global challenges.

It is Joe Biden’s intention to rebuild our international relationships and alliances throughout the world, as the most effective way of fighting radical fundamentalists. Nuclear weapons, from the former Soviet Union, and other weapons of mass destruction pose a great threat to the United States if they fall into the hands of extremists. As President, Joe Biden will disrupt these extremist networks and improved detection systems to seek out weapons before they come to the United States.

Below are some specific plans that Senator Biden has put forward to address some of the more pressing issues on the world stage:

Darfur: Joe Biden knows that democracy cannot be forced on a people. He will work to build a political infrastructure to support democracies and prevent extremists from taking hold of weaker growing democracies. He’s been a leader in the effort to end the genocide in Darfur and believes that the United States must act now both diplomatically and militarily. He was the first Democratic candidate for President to push for a no-fly zone in Darfur. He has pressed the United Nations to encourage world leaders to step in with an international peacekeeping force.

Nuclear weapons: Joe Biden has dedicated his career to eliminating the threat of nuclear weapons. He pushed for the Salt II Treaty, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and the convention banning chemical weapons. As President, he will continue his efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals throughout the world and secure stockpiles of dangerous weapons in the former Soviet Union.

The Balkans: Joe Biden will continue his record of promoting peace and justice as he did when he called for US intervention in the Balkans in the 1990s, to help Bosnians and the Kosovars to find and keep the peace.

Increasing alliances: When the Cold War ended and new democracies emerged in Eastern Europe, Joe Biden led the effort to expand NATO to include Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. He’s been a strong supporter of Radio Free Europe.

Fighting terrorism: Joe Biden knew long before 9/11 that extremism poses an urgent threat to the safety of America. As President, Joe Biden will continue his efforts to secure American ports, railways, chemical plants and infrastructure.

The United Nations: Joe Biden has been a strong supporter of the UN funding for years. More recently he was instrumental in pressing groundbreaking legislation, providing for the payment of U.N. arrears, based on organizational reform.

Keeping drugs out of the USA: Joe Biden has worked hard as both the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, to keep drugs out of the United States and to make counter narcotic efforts a central priority of his foreign policy.