Biden needs better strategies to handle America’s partners. So will the next US president

The United States is in a trying position with two of its most consequential foreign friends: the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Washington has provided broad military backing to both, even when their actions run counter to long-term US interests. A more clear-eyed approach is needed.

Over the last year, Netanyahu repeatedly defied US efforts to de-escalate the war in Gaza. Earlier last month he may even have intentionally scuttled US diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire. And in the past few days, he has backtracked after agreeing to a ceasefire in Lebanon, publicly embarrassing the Biden administration.