Axios

Secretary of State Tony Blinken is traveling to Israel to discuss with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials their plans for Gaza after the war.

Why it matters: Israel's stated goal for its operation is "destroying" Hamas and securing the release of the hostages the militant group is holding in Gaza. But it's unclear what Israel is planning for Gaza if it achieves its goal.

Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces has reached a stalemate, a top Ukrainian general said in an interview published this week.

Why it matters: The assessment diverges from past public appraisals of the counteroffensive offered by U.S. and Ukrainian officials. It comes as support is waning for Ukraine's war effort among the American public, and the Biden administration is at odds with some Congressional Republicans on continued aid for Kyiv.

A pilot program that helped hundreds of Latinos in Florida lower their odds of developing Type 2 diabetes is expanding to Georgia and Texas.

Why it matters: On average, U.S. Hispanics have a 50% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes, and tend to do so at a younger age than people in other demographics, according to CDC data.

Peruvian novelist and Nobel literature laureate Mario Vargas Llosa has announced his most recent novel will be his last, and he will retire from writing after publishing an upcoming essay.

Why it matters: Vargas Llosa is the last surviving member of Latin America's 20th Century literary Boom generation — writers who mostly used magical realism to critique society and often wrote from exile.

Spanish-language tech and AI are helping crucial services like emergency dispatch centers and college advisers' offices better reach a booming population.

Why it matters: Although Spanish is the second-most commonly spoken language in U.S. homes, most generative AI and technological tools have been available solely in English — but that is changing.

The Biden administration is using a Thursday speech by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to set the stage for President Biden's APEC summit and his highly-anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.

Why it matters: Team Biden wants China's neighbors — and China — to know that "economic ties" will underpin its approach to the Indo-Pacific region, as it looks to diversify U.S. supply chains with partners and allies.

The share of Americans who say the U.S. is doing "too much" to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia aggression jumped to 41% last month — driven by growing concern among Republicans, according to a new survey by Gallup.

Why it matters: The findings come as newly-established Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) plans to bring a vote this week on aid for Israel — decoupling it from Ukraine aid and border funds.

The Biden administration will develop the first U.S. national strategy to oppose rising Islamophobia in the country, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday.

Why it matters: Since the war between Israel and Hamas began in early October, anti-Arab, anti-Muslim and antisemitic hate crimes have skyrocketed in major U.S. cities, including New York City and Los Angeles.

Israel has told the U.S, Egypt, the U.K. and other countries that any Palestinian who leaves Gaza for medical treatment will be allowed to return after the Israel-Hamas war, according to two Israeli officials and a Western diplomat.

Why it matters: Israel's commitment was needed to get Egypt, the U.S. and other nations on board with a plan to begin evacuating wounded Palestinians to hospitals in Egypt for treatment while the fighting continues in Gaza, Israeli officials said.

Palestinians with foreign passports and ambulances carrying wounded people began to leave Gaza through the Rafah Crossing with Egypt on Wednesday.

The big picture: It's the first time anyone has been allowed to leave Gaza since the war began more than three weeks ago.

The growing and personal Democratic split over the Israel-Hamas war is about to spill onto the House floor, with leaders bracing for fights on Israel-related legislation between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel members of Congress.

Why it matters: "Things could not possibly be any worse than they are right now," one House Democrat lamented.

The goal of China's military modernization plan is to ensure China has the ability to win a war against the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific, not to replicate America's global military power projection capabilities, experts tell Axios.

Why it matters: Becoming Asia's dominant military power would support China's bid to be the center of regional trade and influence, and help secure its territorial claims. But Beijing is reluctant to seek that kind of dominance globally because it would risk embroiling China in responsibilities far beyond its borders.

China's leader Xi Jinping this week called on women in the country to "create a new trend of family" to help curb an aging population amid a record drop in the birth rate, according to state media.

What he's saying: "Doing a good job in women's work is not only related to women's own development but also related to the harmony of families and society, as well as national development and progress," Xi said during an event in Beijing on Monday, per state media.