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20 September 2023
At UNGA, Biden is eager to show US can lead the world
By Victoria Cooper, Research Editor
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is meeting in New York this week, presenting an invaluable an opportunity to renew global cooperation on the most pressing cross-border issues from sustainable development, to fighting climate change and improving global health. But, as leaders from world heavyweights France, the United Kingdom, Russia and China skip this year’s meeting, for President Biden this year's UNGA also offers a golden opportunity to demonstrate US leadership on the world stage.
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine undeniably loomed large over the first day of the proceedings. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first in-person address to the assembly, attempting to win over members who are more lukewarm on Ukraine’s plight (in the past year, only 141 of 193 UN members backed a resolution to condemn the war) and highlighting shared concerns with leaving global security to “the so-called great powers.”
President Biden also used his speech to denounce Russian aggression and encourage global leaders to stand with Ukraine. Amid the US Congress’ own struggle to unite on continued financial aid for Ukraine, the president’s comments seemed to be as much for a domestic audience as for the global community.
But, unlike his 2022 UNGA address, Biden’s call to stand with Ukraine came much later into his 2023 remarks, with the president eager to show world leaders that the United States is able to solve problems at home and can be trusted to lead efforts on issues that confront the whole world, not just Western democracies.
UNGA may seem like just one more multilateral ‘talk fest’, especially for members of other more action-oriented summits like the G20 (which saw several new deals announced just last weekend). However, the assembly represents an important platform for smaller economies to seek an audience with the world’s big powers. So, in the conspicuous absence of the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, President Biden’s commitment, more than any formal address, speaks volumes.
NEWS WRAP
Major roadblock for US auto industry
- Major roadblock for US auto industry | Unprecedented strikes at the ‘Big Three’ US auto companies Ford, General Motors and Stellantis have halted production at three facilities in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri. The 12,700 striking members of the United Auto Workers union – one of the largest labour unions in the United States – are pushing
for a deal to improve pay and working conditions. READ MORE HERE
- US defence bill still in limbo | A House vote on the US defence spending bill was struck down in a vote of 212-214, with hard-line Republicans voting against their own bill in an effort to pressure Speaker Kevin McCarthy into agreeing to further spending cuts. McCarthy hoped to show the party’s unity in a vote for the usually must-pass bill; instead, it has ratcheted up concerns about a seemingly imminent government shutdown by 1 October. READ MORE HERE
- Cold War-style prisoner exchange | Five Americans have been freed in a prisoner’s exchange with Iran after two years of quiet negotiations. In a broader effort to de-escalate tensions with Iran, the exchange will also see the United States unfreeze US$6 billion in Iranian oil revenue which the White House insists the money will be closely monitored to ensure it is used for humanitarian purposes. READ MORE HERE
- Hunter Biden pleading not guilty | Indicted on three felony gun charges after a July plea deal around the investigation collapsed, President Biden’s son Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to all charges, according to recent court filings. The charges may not be his last, with two misdemeanour tax charges expected in California and DC courts. READ MORE HERE
- A dressing down | Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has established a new dress-code for the US Senate, no longer setting the expectation of business attire on the Senate floor. The change to custom has ignited dismay about the denigration of American traditions, although it is not the first time the Senate dress code has been changed to accommodate new standards. READ MORE HERE
"Look, the one thing you’re going to learn about me: I like a challenge — I don’t like this big a challenge — but we’re just gonna keep doing it until we can make it..."
Speaker Kevin McCarthy after vote on the defence bill | 19 September 2023
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Did you USSC?
- REPORT | An economic pillar to round out US strategy in Asia: IPEF and Australia's interests
Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer alongside colleagues Jared Mondschein and Victoria Cooper discuss what Australia wants from the US-proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). They say Australia hopes the framework will create lasting US economic engagement in the region, diversifies critical minerals supply chains and establishes a framework for multilateral digital trade. READ FULL REPORT
- BRIEF | What options are on the table for IPEF?
With IPEF still in negotiation, Research Associate Samuel Garrett evaluates the potential options for the United States to pursue as part of the framework, including limited trade deals, capacity building, development financing and enhancing strategic alignment between members. READ IT HERE
- TRACKER | Where the ‘other’ 2024 Republican candidates stand on Australia and the world
Research Associates Samuel Garrett and Ava Kalinauskas track the foreign policy positions of the major Republican candidates. Recent updates include insights from Ron DeSantis' recent interview on CBS Evening news, Chris Christie's latest comments from a feature on Jordan Peterson's podcast, and Mike Pence's calls for a ban on TikTok. READ THE LATEST HERE
EVENT
Sydney International Strategy Forum
The inaugural Sydney International Strategy Forum brings together prominent thought leaders, policymakers and industry experts to tackle the big issues confronting Australia, the United States and the Indo-Pacific. From bolstering supply chain resilience to turning AUKUS into reality, the forum will discuss the enormous opportunities and risks posed by such cross-cutting challenges and what they mean for the future of our region. Read more here.
Tickets are still available, but strictly limited. Register now to secure your spot.
TYPE
Conference
WHERE
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, 199 George Street, The Rocks NSW
WHEN
SYDNEY | 1 November 2023. 8.30am–4.30pm
COST
Ticket prices Student: $180 Full price: $560
BY THE NUMBERS
Is equal gender representation 162 years away?
By Victoria Cooper, Research Editor
As the UN General Assembly meets this week, only 26 of the 193 member states (around 13 per cent) have a female leader. In 2015, the United Nations set a target to achieve gender equality by the end of this decade. At the current pace, it will take another 162 years for world leaders to reach this goal.
While women are vastly underrepresented as heads of state, improvements have been made to the proportion of women making up legislative bodies in the last decade. In 2010, 17 per cent of elected representatives globally were women; in 2023, that stands at around 26 per cent. This is an improvement, but still, only six countries’ national legislatures have gender-equal representation. Australia is close to hitting the mark with 44 per cent of the legislature held by women, while the United States is much further away at only 28 per cent.
Women’s representation in positions of power is essential to address the world’s greatest challenges, with diverse representation proven to enhance bipartisanship and stability, and to promote peace. For the US-Australia relationship, women’s participation and leadership is crucial to keep pace with the burgeoning alliance agenda, while a fully engaged and diverse workforce is necessary to create more innovative and progressive solutions to address the challenges shared by the two countries and their regional partners.
As it stands, only two in 10 Australian and one in 10 US leading international relations think tanks and research institutes are led by women, and a quick number crunch of recent publications in Australia’s major foreign policy blogs shows less than a third feature a woman in the by-line. The Australian Department of Defence has never had a female secretary, nor has the Pentagon been led by a woman in the United States. Recent polling in the United States also shows a third of the population has concerns about women’s ability to lead from the Oval Office, unsurprising considering only one woman has ever been nominated by one of the two major parties to vie for the presidency.
It is for these reasons that the United States Studies Centre has launched its Women in the Alliance initiative. The initiative seeks to improve pathways to women’s more equal representation in the Australian-US bilateral relationship by enhancing the visibility of women’s expertise, creating opportunities for research, networking and cross-border connections, and investing in next-generation women leaders. Expressions of interest are closing shortly to join the inaugural network, click below to find out more.
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University of Sydney NSW 2006
