Alan Cafruny, Professor of International Affairs on the Faculty of Government at Hamilton College (USA), explained that due to the pandemic and the economic crisis, foreign policy during this election campaign was less important than in 2016. He also believes that the United States will be preoccupied mainly with an internal crisis – an economic and political one - and in an economic sense, Biden's hands will be tied not only by debt and deficits, but also by the Republican Senate. At the same time, in relations with Russia, Biden will be freer than Trump, which will give him the opportunity to take a somewhat more efficient diplomatic position.
Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director at the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies of National Research University Higher School of Economics, believes that the bifurcation point of the United States has long passed, and in American politics, despite all of the rhetorical changes, substantial continuity will remain. Trump has already irrevocably changed the paradigm of American foreign policy. The idea of the United States as a provider of global public good is no longer popular among the American voters, no matter which party they vote for. The build-up of US national power and its mercantilist approach to foreign trade policy will continue, to the detriment of maintaining order throughout the world. Also, despite the fears of many, the Biden administration is unlikely to return to the unpopular policies of forceful interventionism that characterised the Obama era. At the same time, it is important that since the social split will not disappear, Biden's foreign policy steps will be torpedoed by the Republican Party.
The participants in the discussion agreed that under Biden, US foreign policy is likely to become more multilateral and ideological. Perhaps more flexibility can be expected from his administration in the Middle East, in particular regarding Iran. The course to contain Russia and China will continue, but the instruments of containment will be slightly adjusted and the rhetoric will change. With respect to Russia, greater emphasis will be placed on human rights and support for Ukraine. The policy of sanctions will continue, but it would be difficult for Biden to radically tighten it, since Trump has already managed to introduce the main sanctions which are not associated with additional economic risks for the United States. There is some reason to hope that the Biden administration will be more willing to cooperate with Moscow on issues of mutual interest, such as arms control.