NOTE: From the U.S. State Department: "Since its inception...the United Nations General Assembly has been an important platform for U.S. Presidents to address the world's most challenging issues, from poverty and development to peace and security."

1. The families of the U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan when President Biden ordered troops to be pulled out quickly (leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment behind to be taken by the Taliban, and many Afghan allies - as well as some American citizens left captive there) were not happy today by the way that he finally acknowledged their loved ones. What did he say about our U.S. service members who were killed when we pulled out of Afghanistan?

2. In his address to the UN General Assembly, what did President Biden say about the Russian-Ukraine War? (What support for the Ukrainians - what admonishment to Russia?)

3. What did the president say about the growing Chinese aggression against the U.S. and many of our allies in the South China Sea (Taiwan, Japan, Philippines...)

4. What support did President Biden offer for Israel's right to respond militarily following the horrific attacks into Israel by the Palestinian terrorist Group Hamas on October 7, 2023?

5. President Biden said of the Palestinians, "Innocent civilians in Gaza are also going through hell. Thousands and thousands killed including aid workers. Too many families dislocated, crowding into tents facing a dire humanitarian situation. They did not ask for this war that Hamas started." (Note: He did not mention the 70,000 Israelis living in northern Israel who have been displaced from their homes, work and school for almost a year - or all Israelis who also live under constant threat of the rockets Hamas (and Hezbollah from Lebanon) have been launching into Israel daily.)
a) Why do you think President Biden didn't call on all world leaders to demand Hamas release the remaining hostages (some of whom are Americans) being held captive in Gaza immediately? Explain your answer.
b) The almost yearlong negotiations of the U.S. and others have failed because Hamas always changes their demands. How effective do you think the UN is if this world peacekeeping body cannot demand from the leaders of Hamas and those who support them in Qatar the immediate release of the hostages? (Are they doing all they can? Are they just ineffective?) Explain your answer.

6. What did President Biden call on the world to do about the ongoing civil war in Sudan?

7. Tone is the attitude a speaker takes towards a subject. What was the tone of President Biden’s final address to the UN General Assembly? (serious, stern, resigned, inspiring, encouraging...)

8. What was your overall impression of the president’s speech?