Antony Blinken

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Key Figures

Five days before leaving office, President Biden announces a phased ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, brokered through months of negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US in Doha. The first phase includes a six-week ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza, the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Biden's team worked closely with Trump's incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in the final weeks of talks, with both sides crediting a joint effort. Biden calls the negotiations "one of the toughest I've ever experienced." Trump simultaneously claims full credit on Truth Social. The deal is the most significant pause in the 15-month war that has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians.

The Biden administration announces a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt. The deal's first phase provides a six-week ceasefire and the release of 33 living and dead hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Phase one begins January 19, Biden's final day in office. Biden calls it the product of over a year of intensive diplomacy and credits mediators in Qatar and Egypt. Critics argue Biden waited too long and supplied too many weapons while humanitarian conditions in Gaza deteriorated. The deal comes too late for Biden to have implemented its full terms during his presidency.

President Biden notified Congress on January 14, 2025, six days before leaving office, of his decision to remove Cuba from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list, reversing Trump's 2021 re-designation. The decision was tied to a Vatican-mediated deal under which Cuba agreed to release 553 political prisoners, including participants in the July 11, 2021 protests. The move also rescinded Trump's 2017 Cuba policy memorandum and issued a six-month Helms-Burton Title III waiver. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) called the action a reward for the Cuban government without meaningful human rights progress. President-elect Trump announced he would reverse the decision after taking office.

Senior U.S. officials send a letter to Israeli counterparts, described by the State Department as a "private diplomatic communication," warning that Israel must take concrete steps to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza within 30 days or face potential restrictions on U.S. weapons transfers. The letter cites the dire conditions in northern Gaza, where food supply has essentially collapsed. It is the most forceful U.S. pressure on Israel since October 7. Israel disputes the characterization of the humanitarian situation. The 30-day deadline passes without U.S. action, and no arms restrictions are imposed before Biden leaves office.

By late 2024, the Biden administration has provided approximately $175 billion in total military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since Russia's invasion, the largest US security assistance commitment to any country in modern history. Military aid includes HIMARS rocket systems, M1 Abrams tanks, F-16 jets, Patriot air defense batteries, cluster munitions, and finally long-range ATACMS missiles. Economic aid helps the Ukrainian government continue operating schools, hospitals, and pensions. The aid coalition expands to more than 50 nations. Biden frames Ukraine support as the defining test of whether democracies can defend themselves against autocracies.