President Joe Biden gears up for the NATO summit in Washington this week, as he confronts two major challenges. On the international front, Biden aims to strengthen global alliances at a time when many leaders are adopting inward-looking policies. Domestically, he will need to navigate through a series of meetings and events with the same vigor and focus that were lacking in his previous debate with Donald Trump.

The NATO summit provides a favorable platform for Biden, who is under pressure from fellow Democrats to withdraw from the presidential race following his lackluster debate performance. Held on his home turf, the summit eliminates the challenges of overseas travel and jet lag that contributed to his fatigue during the debate.

The main focus of the summit will be Ukraine, a country Biden has invested significant political capital in supporting against Russia's invasion. The coalition he helped form to aid Ukraine remains largely intact, and during the summit, Biden and his NATO counterparts plan to announce measures to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities. This includes the delivery of new air defense systems that will enhance Ukraine's ability to counter Russian missiles and drones. Progress toward Ukraine's inclusion into NATO will also be discussed.

This year's NATO summit is especially significant as it commemorates the alliance's 75th anniversary. NATO, a collective defense treaty established after World War II, has played a crucial role in safeguarding against aggression from the Soviet Union and Russia. The invocation of Article 5, NATO's mutual defense clause, has been rare, occurring only during the response to the September 11 attacks.

Biden will kick off the summit by hosting fellow NATO leaders at the Mellon Auditorium, where the treaty was initially signed in 1949. A dinner will also be held at the White House, demonstrating the United States' commitment to the alliance.

Under the Trump administration, doubts arose regarding the United States' commitment to NATO, with Trump criticizing European allies for not meeting their defense spending obligations. However, Biden aims to dispel these concerns and showcase the increased military spending by NATO members during his tenure. When Trump left office, only nine allies met the 2% spending threshold, but now that number has risen to 23, according to the Biden administration.

Crucial elections in the United States and Europe loom over the summit. The UK's new prime minister, Keir Starmer, will attend the summit shortly after his Labour Party's victory in national elections. Marine Le Pen, a prominent French politician, expressed reservations about arming Ukraine if her party came to power. Nonetheless, her defeat strengthens NATO's consensus in safeguarding Ukraine's sovereignty. Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, drew criticism for his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, further complicating NATO's cohesion.

Biden's fate and the potential return of Trump to the presidential race also hover over the summit. Experts predict that private meetings and conversations throughout the summit will focus on the upcoming presidential race. Trump's "America First" approach, which questions the value of alliances, stands in contrast to Biden's internationalist stance.

Thursday's news conference presents Biden with a crucial opportunity to assert his commitment to the alliance and showcase renewed leadership. Maintaining coherence and forcefulness in his speech will be essential in reversing any negative impressions from his previous debate performance. Allies will closely observe Biden's performance and anticipate his strong leadership at the summit.

As the NATO summit unfolds, President Biden faces the challenge of strengthening global alliances while simultaneously addressing domestic concerns. The outcome of the summit and Biden's ability to exhibit clarity and vigor will be critical in shaping both international relations and the perception of his leadership.