Biden's promise to restore US leadership tested by fresh outbreak of war abroad

With the outbreak of war in Israel, President Joe Biden is contending with conflicts in two parts of the world at a moment of paralysis in Washington and increasing polarization over the direction of America's involvement abroad.

The moment is exactly the type of global crisis Biden pledged to voters he was uniquely prepared to confront, particularly when compared with his predecessor. Spending almost 50 years in proximity to the American foreign policy establishment gives Biden a perspective shared by few, if any, in Washington.

But this is also a major test of his ability to corral alliances at home and abroad behind American leadership, all while dysfunction in Washington undercuts some of his authority and competing world powers jockey for influence.

Biden vowed within hours of Hamas' attack on Saturday that his administration's support for Israel's security was "rock solid and unwavering." In a Sunday conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden said that assistance was "on its way," with additional help forthcoming.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Sunday that a US carrier strike group is headed to the eastern Mediterranean Sea as a "deterrence posture." In his statement, Austin also said the US "will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources" and noted that these decisions followed "detailed discussions with President Biden."

Still, delivering on Israel's request for additional support is not an uncomplicated undertaking for Biden.

With the war in Ukraine now well into its second year with no apparent end in sight, recent polling has shown that the American public's support for supplying Ukraine with more weapons is starting to fray. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted earlier this month showed 41% of respondents agreed with the statement that Washington "should provide weapons to Ukraine" - down from 46% in May.