Biden confident he left Trump "very strong hand" on foreign policy

Driving the news: Biden delivered his final foreign policy address at the State Department Monday, a week before Trump will take office.

• Biden praised his administration's foreign policy achievements and previewed the challenges still ahead, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
• "Even so, it's clear: My administration is leaving the next administration with a very strong hand to play. And leaving them an America with more friends and stronger alliances, whose adversaries are weaker and under pressure," Biden said.

Zoom in: Addressing Russia's war in Ukraine, Biden touted the fact that Russia had failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives in the war.

• Now, the U.S. must use its advantage to press for a "just and lasting peace for Ukraine."

• It should also work to ensure a "more stable, integrated Middle East," Biden said, before noting that "we are on the brink" of a hostage release and ceasefire in Gaza deal.

The bottom line: "At our best, America leads not only by the example of our power, but the power of our example. The past four years we have used that power, not to go it alone, but instead to bring countries together."

Go deeper:

• Biden's consequential presidency: His key policies, wins and setbacks
• Israel awaits Hamas' response to final Gaza deal draft, officials say