Alright, here’s what’s on tap for the day: A U.N. conference on a two-state solution , Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ’s political ambitions, and new sanctions on Iran .

Welcome back to Foreign Policy’s Situation Report, where John has had an eventful week reacquainting himself with the United Nations HQ’s maze of hallways and stairwells ahead of the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) in late September. He’s looking forward to Rishi tag-teaming the high-level week with him as world leaders gather in the Big Apple (and praying the awful heat wave will have broken by then). Keep an eye out for our coverage!

Welcome back to Foreign Policy’s Situation Report, where John has had an eventful week reacquainting himself with the United Nations HQ’s maze of hallways and stairwells ahead of the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) in late September. He’s looking forward to Rishi tag-teaming the high-level week with him as world leaders gather in the Big Apple (and praying the awful heat wave will have broken by then). Keep an eye out for our coverage!

Alright, here’s what’s on tap for the day: A U.N. conference on a two-state solution, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s political ambitions, and new sanctions on Iran.

A ‘Political Horizon’ for Palestine

France and Saudi Arabia co-hosted a conference at the United Nations this week that aimed to breathe new life into the long-standing but elusive goal of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The conference occurred against the backdrop of rising global outrage over Israel’s tactics in the war on Gaza and escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank. There was a sense of urgency among those in attendance, as diplomats called for an immediate cease-fire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and Israeli restrictions on aid to be lifted.

The death toll in Gaza since the war began has surpassed 60,000, and a leading global hunger monitor warned that the “worst-case scenario of famine” is underway in the enclave. Amid growing concerns that Israel aims to depopulate Gaza and annex territory, U.N.