Bored of reading American newspapers? Immerse yourself in the foreign press to understand the upcoming US elections...
By Eleonore Dlugosz Donnen
The American elections are approaching and will have a worldwide impact. Trump's or Kamala's foreign policy will affect the economic and diplomatic world to come. This article is an invitation to take the temperature in other countries. From Chile to South Korea, via Bangladesh and Egypt, articles in the foreign press tell their narrative of the key events that have taken place so far in these elections. Those foreign newspapers illuminate how different nations anticipate the potential shifts in the geopolitical world.
Bangladesh, A Critical Analysis of Trump Rhetoric
In the context of political turbulence, the narratives surrounding leaders often take on a dramatic tone. The Daily Star looks at Trump's first assassination attempt and the heroic rhetoric that Trump adopted after the tragedy. The Bangladeshi newspaper looks at the historical aspect of the assassination attempt. In US history, two of the party's favourites and the most talked-about presidents went through the exact incident: Roosevelt and Reagan. This allows Trump to be memorialised and canonised as printed in the public psyche, as the article’s author goes so far as to declare Trump is like a commander-in-chief who gets things done. The Bangladeshi article aims to resonate with Bangladeshi audiences and shape their understanding of U.S. political stability and governance through an analysis of Trump’s political moves. Studying Bangladesh's views on U.S. elections is crucial as it reveals how international perceptions of American political figures can influence local public opinion, in this case, South Asia.
Chile, a clear leader in the debate
In the lead-up to the presidential election, the dynamics of the debate stage played a crucial role in shaping public perception. The Chilean daily argues that Kamala Harris was able to shine in the exercise of the presidential debate, demonstrating greater preparation in the face of Trump, who was far removed from the performances to which he had accustomed his supporters. La Tercera notes that the effect of the debates on the population and the final vote is quite marginal, it notes two different atmospheres separating the two rivals. A strong point for Kamala Harris, La Tercera points out, is that her distance from Biden's administration and her lack of experience as president make her an ideal and challenging candidate who could appeal to numerous voters. For the Chilean newspaper, Harris's performance has the potential to reshape her image and influence the electoral landscape. Analysing Chile's views on U.S. elections is particularly relevant for understanding how the performance of American political figures, like Kamala Harris, resonates with Chilean audiences, as these perceptions can influence Chilean political discourse and thus shape the country's foreign policy approach toward the United States.
Egypt, the myth of the Jewish vote
Al-Ahram discusses the complicated relationship between AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and the campaigns of US politicians. Trump had accused Kamala Harris of receiving almost five million from AIPAC, although this was never proven. The Egyptian newspaper raises the question of the Jewish vote: in 2020, around seventy-one per cent of the vote will go to the Democratic Party. However, recent polls suggest that a slight shift is occurring following events in the Middle East, with some leaning towards the Republicans. This increase could be due to Trump's mandate, his decision to name the American embassy in Jerusalem. While the Egyptian newspaper discusses Trump's pro-Israel stance, Harris could also become a key figure for the Jewish vote if she manages to establish herself as trustworthy by distancing herself from accusations of funding by AIPAC. According to Mark Millan, a Jewish political analyst, Trump's comments reinforce divisions within the Jewish community more than they increase the Republican vote. Al-Ahram concludes by stating that the importance of AIPAC in national politics is greatly exaggerated and that the US Jewish community should not be seen as solely a homogenous block.
Greece, insights from a pro-Obama politician
Ekathimerini obtained an interview with Alexi Giannoulios in which the Illinois Secretary of State describes the atmosphere within the Democratic Party. Described by Barack Obama in 2006 as ‘one of the most outstanding young men that I could ever hope to meet’, the interviewed politician offers great insights into the Democrat Convention. Assuring that he has never felt such emotion and such enthusiasm. He argues that hundreds of thousands of volunteers sought to register and that huge funds were raised and spoke movingly of the fabulous hope that this gave rise to within the party. Trump has never faced such a rival, he says. The American politician with Greek roots is sure of it: Kamala Harris can win the election and represent the future of the whole of America.
Poland, the neutrality card for Poland
Gazeta Wyborcza offers a summary of the comments made by Sikorski, the head of the Polish foreign affairs ministry. During his visit to the United States for the seventy-ninth General Assembly of the United Nations, the Polish representative took the opportunity to make the rounds between Fox News, Bloomberg and PBS. He was able to re-establish Poland's national position in the American elections. He was very grateful to Biden for his help with Ukraine and to Trump for encouraging European countries to invest more in the defence sector. However, he said that Poland would not be taking part in the elections and would not be speaking out. For him, Poland cannot interfere in the internal affairs of the US.
South Korea, a pro-liberal stance
The Korean Times asserts South Korea's vision of the elections. While the South Korean newspaper begins by asserting that US policy seems doomed to deadlock and that neither side seems to be dominating the other, he nevertheless affirms South Korea's position. Explained through a comparison between Kamala's and Trump's policies, one based on this liberal order from which Korea benefits, the other on an ‘America first’ ideology that would disrupt this liberal harmony in Korea. While reaffirming at the end that the American people are the only masters of the game in these elections, the Korean newspaper asserts that Kamala's foreign policy would be more favourable to Korea.
The newspapers used are major newspapers in their country, which is why they impact the national audience. Thus, after this quick analysis of the foreign press, it is remembered that Kamala Harris is highlighted as a credible candidate by the Greek, Chilean and South Korean newspapers, in contrast to Trump, who seems to be playing on his assassination attempt and the divisions in the Jewish community, as shown by the Bangladeshi and Egyptian newspapers. Although these press articles do not in any way represent the position of the country in question, they do allow us to assess the current trends of thought, such as the South Korean newspaper, which asserts a liberal yet impartial position on the issue of the elections, and the Polish newspaper, which establishes Poland's neutrality in its elections. Reading the foreign press brings a breath of fresh air to the common psyche. Readers are used to turning mainly to American sources and newspapers, which dominate the news industry overall. A reminder that when elections take place, the whole world is watching, and that foreign press plays an important role in critical understanding of geopolitics.
Written by Eleonore Dlugosz Donnen, November 2024
Edited by Roos Hoogesteger
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