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The United States and India have a common cause in their tensions with China, as well as a "natural partnership" on technology investments, says USIP's Sameer Lalwani. But India remains noncommittal when it comes to Russia's war on Ukraine: "They've concluded that they need Russia to stick around."

Twelve years since the fall of Qaddafi, the United Nations' Libya mission carries the same mandate as it did in 2011. With the country still experiencing various degrees of conflict and upheaval, it's time to "re-envision what we want the U.N. to do" in Libya and create a "mandate [that] will reflect that," says USIP's Thomas Hill.

Amid military struggles in Ukraine, Russia's presence in Syria is slowly receding, setting off a series of regional shifts from Turkey, Iran and Israel that could have major ripple effects on U.S. national security interests, says USIP's Mona Yacoubian: "There are too many actors there for it be a simple math equation."

President Biden will meet Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida amid "a really high sense of insecurity" over North Korean missile tests, says USIP's Mirna Galic. On the agenda: Japan's new national security strategy, which features "potential for closer cooperation and integration of U.S. and Japan operations."

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Congress for more assistance, he "made the case that Ukraine was defending Europe and defending the United States," says USIP's Ambassador William Taylor. And with Ukrainians more determined than ever, such aid could help usher in a Ukrainian victory over Russia.

Amid the harsh Ukrainian winter, Russia has launched a slate of rocket attacks targeting Ukrainian cities. “They can’t win … so they’re just going to attack civilian targets and hope that it weakens the resolve of the Ukrainian people,” says USIP’s Donald Jensen. “But there’s no sign that’s happening.”

Ahead of this week's summit, USIP's Joseph Sany says the United States has shifted its approach toward the continent: "Long gone are the days where America will come and dictate solutions. This time around, we are willing to listen and support African solutions for African problems."

After protests forced China to ease its zero-COVID policies, Xi Jinping will need to weigh socioeconomic stability against his authoritarian aims, says USIP's Andrew Scobell: "You’re seeing domestically what many countries have noticed China doing beyond its borders: Being more assertive or aggressive."

General Asim Munir was appointed as the new head of Pakistan's military this week — a position often viewed as the de facto leader of the country. Amid a fraught political environment, Munir's "first job is going to be figuring out what the civil-military balance is in Pakistan," says USIP's Tamanna Salikuddin.

The joint leaders' statement at the G20 Summit, while largely symbolic, showed that "Russia [is] a lot more isolated than perhaps we'd been led to suspect," says USIP’s Mary Glantz, adding that Russia's anti-imperialist justification for the war in Ukraine is "not getting the traction we thought it was."

A coalition involving several extreme right-wing parties has Benjamin Netanyahu poised to return as Israel's prime minister. "In some sense he owes them a debt," says USIP's Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen. "What is the cost being extracted by these right-wing parties" as the government formation process begins?

As COP27 continues in Egypt, USIP's Tegan Blaine says, "The one issue that is really beginning to explode this year is the issue of loss and damage" and support for poorer countries. "They weren't responsible for the cause, and they don’t have the resources to [address climate change] on their own."

Russian President Vladimir Putin invoked religion as part of his justification for Russia's attack on Ukraine, believing their shared Orthodox history would lend credibility to his ambitions. "Of course, the Ukrainians beg to differ," says USIP's Knox Thames. "It's actually strengthening Ukrainian resistance to [Putin's] aggressive actions."

Chinese leader Xi Jinping cemented himself as "clearly the most powerful ruler in China since Mao" at the recent National Party Congress. But USIP's Andrew Scobell says Xi has staked his legitimacy on delivering for the Chinese people — and sputtering economic growth poses a significant challenge going forward.

The recent escalation in North Korean missile tests and military exercises is Pyongyang's attempt at gaining leverage over the United States, says USIP's Frank Aum: "They want to create a crisis in order to pressure the United States back into talks on [North Korea's] terms."

Venezuela was a recurrent topic of discussions during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent tour through Latin America, says USIP's Keith Mines: "The hemisphere is looking for a new approach to Venezuela … the previous consensus of just adding more pressure and hoping for the best is breaking down."

With Ukraine making massive gains on the ground, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s escalating threats "show that [he] is getting a little bit desperate," says USIP's Mary Glantz. "He's been feeling a lot of pressure to show some victories," which has left the world "holding their breath to see what might happen."

As President Biden hosts a first-ever U.S. summit with Pacific Island countries, USIP’s Brian Harding says regional leaders "have some concerns" about growing U.S.-China competition — but they would rather "talk about their own interests and needs … If you ask them, their top priority by far is climate change."

Ahead of the International Day of Peace on September 21, USIP’s Joseph Sany says the occasion is “an opportunity to celebrate, reflect and demonstrate our commitment” to building peace in our communities — as well as a chance to connect with millions of others through the Peace Day Challenge.

Despite geopolitical tensions, the U.N. General Assembly remains important for cooperation on urgent global challenges like climate change, says USIP's Andrew Cheatham: "It's within the bureaucracy of the United Nations that a lot of countries can show leadership … If we didn’t have the U.N., I think we'd have to build it."