As US President Joe Biden laid out his foreign policy goals on Thursday, politicians, campaigners and humanitarians overseas were quick to offer predominantly positive views on the US administration’s new direction.
In his first big speech on world affairs since his inauguration last month, Mr Biden said "America is back" and that "diplomacy is back at the centre" of US policy before laying out priorities for Myanmar, Russia, China and Yemen.
Mr Biden’s decision to stop backing Saudi Arabia’s war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels received much attention. He reversed course from the Trump administration, which largely assisted Riyadh’s campaign, but pledged to help Saudi Arabia defend itself from attack.
“President Biden promised that he would reverse failed policies in Yemen. Today, he delivered,” David Miliband, chief executive of the International Rescue Committee and former UK foreign minister, wrote on Twitter.
He called it a “vital first step in reversing the tide of human misery that has engulfed the country”.
President Biden promised that he would reverse failed policies in Yemen. Today, he delivered. His announcement of a new US approach to the war in Yemen is a vital first step in reversing the tide of human misery that has engulfed the country. Statement: https://t.co/joTdtcgzqd
— David Miliband (@DMiliband) February 4, 2021
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde welcomed the “enhanced US diplomatic support for UN peace efforts in Yemen” and Mr Biden’s appointment of Tim Lenderking as US envoy to a country ravaged by six years of bloodshed.
I welcome @POTUS announcement of enhanced US diplomatic support for UN peace efforts in #Yemen and the appointment of Tim Lenderking as Special Envoy. A strong international push is needed to end the fighting and launch political talks.
— Ann Linde (@AnnLinde) February 4, 2021
“A strong international push is needed to end the fighting and launch political talks,” Ms Linde said on Twitter.
The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, distanced the Emirates from the military campaign in Yemen, which Abu Dhabi left in October for a pivot to peace talks.
“Eager to see the war over, the UAE has supported UN efforts and multiple peace initiatives,” Dr Gargash wrote on Twitter.
“Throughout, the UAE has remained one of the largest providers of humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni people.”
The UAE ended its military involvement in Yemen in October of last year. Eager to see the war over, the UAE has supported UN efforts & multiple peace initiatives. Throughout the the UAE has remained one of the largest providers of humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni people.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) February 4, 2021
A statement in Arabic from the government-run Saudi Press Agency praised Mr Biden’s pledge to “co-operate with the kingdom to defend its sovereignty and address the threats against it”.
المملكة ترحب بما ورد في خطاب الرئيس الأمريكي حيال التزام الولايات المتحدة بالتعاون مع المملكة للدفاع عن سيادتها والتصدي للتهديدات التي تستهدفها.#واس_عام pic.twitter.com/abfuxqfq4t
— واس العام (@SPAregions) February 4, 2021
Activists offered stronger words still. The UK-based group Amnesty International urged Mr Biden to go farther and cease arms sales to any hot spot where “they will be used to commit war crimes”.
BREAKING: As Biden ends support to conflict in Yemen, arms flows must also be stopped@ptnassif, the advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa said:https://t.co/vd5seQi863
— Amnesty International USA (@amnestyusa) February 4, 2021
The charity Oxfam said Mr Biden’s move was the result of years of campaigners organising, making phone calls to US legislators and signing petitions.
“YOU made this happen,” the group wrote on Twitter.
For years, you made congressional calls. Signed petitions. Organized & made your voice heard.
— OxfamAmerica (@OxfamAmerica) February 4, 2021
After 6 years of devastating war fueled by the US, the Biden Admin announced the end of US support for the Saudi-led coalition's military campaign in #Yemen.
YOU made this happen. pic.twitter.com/CAA968ee8G
Mr Biden’s decision to increase the number of refugees allowed to enter the US was also warmly received. The president promised to raise admissions to 125,000 from the Trump administration’s 15,000.
🇺🇸 We welcome @POTUS' commitment today to increase refugee resettlement to the United States.
— UNHCR United States (@UNHCRUSA) February 4, 2021
It will save many lives and sends a powerful signal to other countries to do the same.https://t.co/135WaoAlK2 pic.twitter.com/yq6pdQLBse
The UN refugee agency UNHCR said this “will save many lives and sends a powerful signal to other countries to do the same”. Save the Children, an aid group, said it was “important to make refugees welcome in the US”.
Today @POTUS announced his plan to raise the U.S. refugee admissions goal to 125,000 annually.
— Save the Children US (@SavetheChildren) February 4, 2021
Learn more about refugees including why it is important to make #RefugeesWelcome in the U.S. https://t.co/bnP6lTfm0p