The Biden administration is in final negotiations to end a 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, aiming to secure the release of around 100 Israeli hostages held by the Iran-backed militia before the White House transitions to the Trump administration on January 20. As part of these efforts, Israel has sent its intelligence service head to participate in the talks, which come as Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, the incoming US envoy to the Middle East, on Saturday.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/01/12/Biden-Netanyahu-cease-fire/9061736736564/US President Joe Biden held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, discussing progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release in the Israel-Hamas war. The conversation is seen as an effort to reach a deal before Donald Trump's inauguration next week.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/middle-east/biden-and-netanyahu-discuss-progress-on-gaza-ceasefire-1853857US President Joe Biden held a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss negotiations for the release of hostages and a potential ceasefire deal in Gaza. The conversation comes as Biden aims to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas before Donald Trump's return to the White House on January 20, indicating a sense of urgency in the situation.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/joe-biden-may-hold-talks-with-benjamin-netanyahu-soon-gaza-ceasefire-hostage-us-national-security-adviser-jake-sullivan-7458874#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories_lastestImgUS President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of a proposed deal to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, stating that it would allow for the release of hostages, halt fighting, provide security to Israel, and increase humanitarian aid to Palestinians who have suffered greatly in the war. He also highlighted the US's economic advantage over China, citing predictions that the Chinese economy will not surpass the US as previously thought. Additionally, Biden expressed concerns about the development of artificial intelligence and climate change, warning that the latter poses an existential threat to the country.
https://deadline.com/2025/01/biden-foreign-policy-trump-1236255639/US President Biden made a secret visit to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, in 2023, becoming the first sitting president to do so. He emphasized that the US and its allies cannot abandon Ukraine, which has received billions of dollars in military aid since the war began in 2022. In contrast, former President Trump has vowed to secure a peace deal with Russia within 24 hours, potentially leading to Ukraine ceding territory to Moscow. Biden also stated that China will not surpass the US as the world's dominant superpower and defended his administration's handling of complex ties with Beijing, which he said never tipped into conflict during his presidency.
China's increasing investment in Africa is seen as a positive development for the continent, with President Bio's visit to China marking a more holistic approach to their relationship. However, African governments are also keeping an eye on China's 20th Party Congress, which could have implications for their own relationships with Beijing. Meanwhile, Indonesia has become the first Southeast Asian member of BRICS, a move seen as part of its president's more proactive foreign policy approach. In other news, Japan is bolstering its amphibious capabilities in the Nansei island chain, while India may lean into improved ties with China in 2025 despite the return of Donald Trump to the White House. The US is also taking steps to address concerns about China's influence, including proposed state legislative actions on China in 2023.
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/wang-yis-first-african-tour-after-focac9-sets-the-tone-for-africa-china-relations-in-2025/US Special Envoy to the Middle East Hady Amr and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's deputy, Brett McGurk, are working with both sides to negotiate an end to the conflict. However, Sullivan is cautious about making promises that may not be fulfilled, citing past instances where negotiations have stalled. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/distinct-possibility-of-israel-hamas-deal-over-gaza-this-week-us-7465814#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscrollUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that a deal to end the conflict in Gaza is "very close" and hopes to finalize it before the incoming Trump administration takes over. The proposed agreement includes a phased ceasefire, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agreeing to release some hostages in exchange for a week-long halt in fighting. However, Hamas insists on a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the devastated territory, while Netanyahu wants to ensure that Hamas is unable to wage war in Gaza.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/01/13/biden-netanyahu-speak-to-discuss-gaza-dealA ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza has been presented to Israel and Hamas by mediators, according to an official briefed on the negotiations. The draft agreement was given to both sides during talks held in Doha, Qatar, which included representatives from the US, including outgoing envoy Brett McGurk and incoming envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as senior officials from Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet spy agencies and Qatar's prime minister.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/01/13/gaza-ceasefire-deal-likely-this-week-says-joe-bidens-adviser