Meeting Xi

As President Biden and China’s Xi Jinping met today in San Francisco at the APEC summit both leaders hit similar themes in their remarks, saying their goal was to keep the relationship between their countries from turning into a conflict. “Planet Earth is big enough” for both superpowers, Xi said, as the NYT reports.

Hamas Agrees to Tentative Deal

Hamas has agreed in principle and Israel is now considering a proposal for the release of at least 50 women and children among about 240 foreign and Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, as The Washington Post reports.

Israeli Troops Raid Gaza Hospital

Israeli soldiers moved into Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, on Wednesday, searching buildings and questioning Palestinians sheltering there in an operation that carries high stakes for both sides of the war, as the WSJ reports.

Threats Against U.S.

Since Hamas' surprise terror attack against Israel on Oct. 7, law enforcement has seen a "rogue's gallery" of calls for attacks against the U.S. from Hezbollah to Al Qaeda, FBI Director Christopher Wray said today in testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee, as ABC News reports.

Executive Education

The CSIS Women's Global Leadership Program is a year-long program designed for executives who wish to deepen their understanding of critical geopolitical trends in order to thrive in a complex and competitive global environment. Those nominated by their organizations will join a select network of senior-level professionals in seminars on global issues and participate in executive leadership and communication training.

Audio Briefs

CSIS experts give short, spoken-word summaries on the biggest takeaways from their latest reports, white papers, and commentaries—in their own words.

Listen here: "Countering Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems" with CSIS’s Shaan Shaikh.

In That Number

6

Xi Jinping is making his first visit to the United States in six years for a highly anticipated summit with U.S. President Joe Biden.
Source: CNN

Critical Quote

“I can confirm for you that we have information that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad use some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them, to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages.”

—John Kirby, National Security Council Spokesman

iDeas Lab

Vietnam has created 330 acres of land in the Spratly Islands since December 2022. Namyit Island is one of five outposts that stand out in terms of the acreage of new land. Read the full CSIS analysis here.

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab at CSIS enhances our research with the latest in cutting-edge web technologies, design, and multimedia.

Optics

(Photo credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images.) U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in Woodside, California on November 15, 2023.

This Town Tomorrow

At 10:00 a.m., the CSIS Human Rights Initiative hosts a discussion on the challenges associated with the care economy in the United States and around the world.

Later, at 4:00 p.m., the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program unpacks the geopolitical context surrounding COP28, the UAE's goals as host, and the Middle East perspective on climate talks.

And, at 5:00 p.m., the CSIS Australia Chair holds a conversation on Prime Minister Albanese's visit to China and what it means for the trajectory of Australia's China policy.

Video

This morning, the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program discussed cross-industry collaboration for methane reductions, featuring congressional speakers, industry leaders, and methane experts from academia and civil society. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

CSIS's Jon B. Alterman speaks with Palestinian political analyst Khalil Sayegh about what people get wrong about Gaza, the spread of misinformation, and why grassroots peace efforts need to change in the aftermath of the conflict.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

Along with The Doors, Skynyrd, and Led Zeppelin, Rush was one of the first bands I got into as a kid. I still love the band's music and I also love their fascinating history—especially lead singer/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee's personal story, which is on display in his new memoir, “My Effin' Life.” Among tales of the band’s exploits, failures, and massive accomplishments (Rush was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013), readers will learn about Lee's parents who were both Holocaust survivors.

Rush's music hooked me from the first note I heard. Their 1980 album “Permanent Waves,” '81 record “Moving Pictures,” and '81 live recording and video “Exit Stage Left” cemented the band in my memory for good.

I invite you to email me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz

The Evening is my daily guide to key insights CSIS brings to the events of the day. It is composed by Lauren Adler, Ava Rose, and the External Relations team.