Biden will deliver his final foreign policy speech on Monday

President Biden began his final week in office Monday by vigorously defending his foreign policy, saying in a speech that America has become stronger under his leadership.

With just seven days left before he hands over the White House to President-elect Donald J. Trump, Mr. Biden hopes to use his remaining time to define his historic legacy as a transformational leader who stood by states -United at home and abroad, even in just one term.

That effort began with a speech to the State Department focused on what he saw as his successes on the international stage. He said he had strengthened U.S. alliances both in Europe in the face of Russian aggression, as well as in the Asia-Pacific region in the face of China’s rise. At the same time, he argued that America’s adversaries — particularly Russia, China and Iran — were all weaker than when he took office.

“The United States is winning the global competition,” Mr. Biden said. “Compared to four years ago, America is stronger, our alliances are stronger, our adversaries and rivals are weaker. »

The speech was the first this week aimed at making the best case for Mr. Biden’s presidency as it draws to a close. He will deliver a prime-time televised farewell address to the nation Wednesday evening, just as many presidents have done. He will also deliver speeches this week on his conservation record and at a farewell ceremony for the commander in chief at Joint Base Myers-Henderson Hall.

On foreign policy, Mr. Biden has presided over a tumultuous period and Mr. Trump has blamed him for the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, although no U.S. troops are directly involved on the ground in either country. Some critics said Mr. Biden’s perception of a world in flames and beyond his control contributed to the erosion of his political popularity at home and, ultimately, his withdrawal from the election under pressure.