No images? Click here 13 December 2023Ukraine aid languishes in CongressUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington on Monday in what could prove a last-ditch effort to secure more US military aid for his embattled country. Amid domestic divisions ahead of the 2024 election and ongoing conflict in Gaza, US aid for Ukraine has languished in Congress with Republicans seeking concessions on spending and border enforcement in exchange for support. Zelenskyy met with President Joe Biden, lawmakers, military officials and new Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has previously expressed scepticism over continued support for Ukraine. Following the meetings, Biden reiterated US support for Ukraine, while Johnson insisted the White House develop a viable strategy to end the war. Amid more bipartisan unity on foreign policy topics such as China and Israel, Ukraine has emerged as a divisive issue, including in the race for the 2024 Republican nomination. Republican candidates have sparred over Ukraine’s future, with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley making the case for further assistance against objections from other leading candidates. The legislative impasse in Congress will not help public perceptions over its functioning. United States Studies Centre (USSC) polling finds that 82 per cent of Americans are concerned about the lack of compromise between the major parties and 64 per cent are concerned about Congress’ ability to do its job. Zelenskyy will be hoping to leave Washington with greater assurances of support, but domestic politics is likely to ultimately trump foreign policy priorities. NEWS WRAPUS votes against Israel ceasefire but toughens language on civilian deaths
![]() "Israel's security can rest on the United States [...] but they're starting to lose that support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place." President Biden at a private election fundraiser | 12 December 2023 DID YOU USSC?
EVENT ![]() Economic security in a turbulent worldThe world economy is undergoing a patchwork reversal of global integration as major powers seek to “de-risk” key economic relationships and use new policy tools to boost domestic investment in strategic industries. The United States Studies Centre invites you to join us as we convene a major international conference — “Economic Security in a Turbulent World” — to discuss these issues, bringing together policymakers, business executives and leading experts from the United States, Europe, and Asia, as well as from Australia. Save the date for the opportunity to learn from leading experts in geopolitics and economic policy and engage in robust and interactive discussion on the key issues facing Australia, the United States and the Alliance. TYPE WHEN BY THE NUMBERS Will concerned Americans buy Biden's democracy messaging?By Ava Kalinauskas, Research Associate USSC polling suggests that the American public are not growing more worried that their centuries-long democracy is under threat. A sizeable majority of Americans (82 per cent) continue to say that they are a little or very concerned about the way their democracy is working. However, their views of US politics remain largely unchanged since 2022 and, if anything, Americans are less concerned about US democracy than they were a year ago. Polled in September 2022, just before the midterm elections, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of Americans reported being very concerned about the way democracy is working in the United States. Asked the same question twelve months later, the number has dropped by 10 percentage points, to just over half of Americans (54 per cent). Strikingly, the greatest shift occurred among Biden voters, who now hold a brighter perspective compared to in 2022: 14 percentage points less now say they are very concerned about how US democracy is working. Biden’s campaign has seized on Trump’s recent comments to bolster the claim that the top Republican contender poses an existential threat to the country's system of government. During a town hall event last week, Fox News’ Sean Hannity gave Donald Trump the opportunity to confirm that the former president does not intend to abuse his powers if re-elected to the White House next year. But Trump refused to deny the possibility — at least for “day one” of his term, vowing to use his presidential powers to close the southern border with Mexico and expand oil drilling. Trump’s response triggered a new wave of media commentary warning that a second Trump presidency could set the United States on the path to autocracy. These claims that US allies should prepare for the worst have only grown as Trump sketches out his second term agenda, comparing his rivals to “vermin” and promising to seek retribution by purging the federal bureaucracy of disloyal civil servants and using the Department of Justice to prosecute his opponents. As Biden’s campaign continues to sound the alarm on Trump, the president is communicating his message to an American public that may be concerned, but is increasingly optimistic, about the state of US democracy. Manage your email preferences | Forward this email to a friend United States Studies Centre |