Around the world, heads of government and top diplomats had been preparing for a sea change in US policy under a potential Donald Trump administration, guided by his America First views that are broadly sceptical of Europe, unsympathetic toward Ukraine, hawkish on China and pro-Israel.
But by abandoning a losing campaign, Biden may have a chance to pass on his legacy to a next Democratic administration - if his party can quickly regroup around a new ticket that can make it competitive in November.
"I actually think the announcement puts [Biden] in a stronger position, because the likelihood of continuity of policy into a Democratic administration is more likely now," said Kori Schake, the director of foreign and defence policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and a former national security council and state department official during the George W Bush administration.
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