Is Biden the right man at the right time?

This decade is truly going to be momentous for the whole planet. The rise and rise of China, the rapidly progressing negative aspects of climate change, the aggressive ambitions of Vladimir Putin, the dangerous unpredictability of North Korea's Kim Jong-un,the alarming increase in extreme right-wing movements in the US and Europe, and, of course, the continuing struggle against the coronavirus pandemic. One has to ask, is Joe Biden the right man at the right time for these challenges? The only answer is: if he wins on November 3, he better be. But there have to be doubts, not just because of his age but because there may be concerns over whether he will have the drive and personality and vision to tackle all these challenges and come out a winner at the end. I'm not saying he can't do it but I'm worried that an old-style politician like Joe Biden might not be the right man to take on Xi Zinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un et al. But, as everyone accepts - probably even Trump - Biden is a decent sort of fellow and is likeable. A helluva lot more likeable than Donald Trump. And being nice can be effective. But not, I fear, with leaders like the three named above. They didn't get where they are today by being nice to anyone. Biden will have to show he has a ruthless quality beneath the smiles and handshakes. He and Kamala Harris could make a good team in the White House but so much will depend on whether the Democrats win control of the Senate. If they do, then Biden will have a much better chance of being an effective president, both at home and overseas. The leaders of China, Russia and North Korea have full control of their people and their political apparatus. If Biden wins but the Republicans retain control of the Senate, he will always struggle to get through the legislation and policies he wants, just like so many past presidents. A strong president can overcome such obstacles. A weak president can become overwhelmed. If Biden wins he may surprise us, especially with Kamala Harris standing behind him. But it will take time for my headline question to be answered.