(The Hill) — President Donald Trump will return to the United Nations on Tuesday, promoting his view that the international forum is “decaying” the global order and putting forward a new vision, building on his “America First” agenda. 

The president’s message is likely to be cheered by the U.N.’s critics, such as Israel, who have counted on U.S. support to push back on what it characterizes as bias and double standards at the international body. 

“The president will also touch upon how globalist institutions have significantly decayed the world order, and he will articulate his straightforward and constructive vision for the world,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. 

But that message is likely to be received poorly from the majority of members, who still view the forum as valuable in bringing together major powers and building coalitions among smaller, weaker nations. 

Here are five moments or issues to watch at the 80th annual U.N. General Assembly: 

Trump returns with more animosity toward U.N.

Among Trump’s first actions in his second term was to withdraw the U.S. from top U.N. bodies dealing with global health and human rights and slashing funding for humanitarian aid through direct and indirect U.S. contributions. 

Leavitt said Trump’s remarks will be a “major speech touting the renewal of American strength around the world, his historic accomplishments in just eight months, including the ending of seven global wars and conflicts.”

But even as Trump is set to confront the global body, he is not showing any additional, major signs of retreating from it.

Trump plans to hold a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings throughout Tuesday, Leavitt said.

The U.S. remains a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the primary body with power to impose global sanctions, authorize military force and deploy peace missions.

Another example of U.S. engagement is the arrival of Mike Waltz, recently confirmed as ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz presented his credentials to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and took up his duties at the body after nine months of the ambassador post sitting vacant.

Palestine recognition pits Israel and U.S. against allies 

The decisions by France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia to recognize a Palestinian state represents a major break with the U.S. and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to block such acknowledgement. 

More than 150 countries issued a statement on Monday declaring their recognition of the state of Palestine — a largely symbolic move but one that has the effect of elevating Palestinian leaders in diplomatic discussions and opening up opportunities for bilateral agreements. 

French President Emmanuel Macron said the move is necessary to preserve support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. 

But Israel and the U.S. argue that such recognition is a gift to Hamas for launching its deadly attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and fails to push them to release hostages the group still holds in Gaza.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon told reporters in New York that the announcement is “detached from reality.”

“Israel is committed to continue this war until we bring back all of the hostages, until Hamas is out of the game completely. That will be the time that you can speak about the future, not before and not with hollow gestures,” Danon said.

Trump plans to address the disagreement with allies about Palestine during his remarks, Leavitt said on Monday, adding that the decision to recognize a Palestinian state is “more talk and not enough action from some of our friends and allies.”

“He feels this does not do anything to release the hostages, which is the primary goal now in Gaza. Does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close. And frankly, he believes it rewards Hamas,” Leavitt said.

Russia’s war in Ukraine spills into NATO 

Russia’s war against Ukraine rose to a new, dangerous level in recent weeks with Russian air violations of Estonian, Poland and Romanian airspace — all members of NATO. 

While European and Group of Seven nations were already primed to call out Russia’s violation of the U.N. charter for its nearly four-year war in Ukraine, the new level of aggression is raising tensions at the global body, where Moscow is supposed to be one of the main enforcers of international peace and security. 

“I have only one request to the Russian government, if another missile or aircraft enters our space without permission, deliberately or by mistake, and gets shot down and the wreckage falls on NATO territory, please don’t come here to whine about it,” Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on Monday. 

“You have been warned.” 

But the U.S. is sending mixed messages on how it views the events, keen to preserve relations with Russia. 

Leavitt said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent offer of a one-year extension for a nuclear arms treaty with the U.S. “sounds pretty good” to Trump. 

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, speaking at the Concordia Summit in New York, said the U.S. is taking a “deep breath” and wanting to repair relations with Moscow.  

“Russia’s a great power and we are looking hopefully to establish, or get back to a normal relationship with Russia,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Waltz, in his first comments as ambassador to the U.N., aligned with European partners and said Russia must stop its “dangerous” violations of NATO airspace. 

Syrian president’s first speech demonstrates transformation

Another historic moment will be Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa making his debut at the U.N., showcasing his transformation from insurgent and terrorist to statesman after ousting the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad in December. 

Al-Sharaa has a powerful ally in Trump, whom he met in Saudi Arabia in May. Trump supports lifting sanctions on the country. 

But Syria remains subject to U.N. Security Council sanctions and to a U.S. sanctions regime, called the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. Al-Sharaa on Monday lobbied for full sanctions relief. 

“Trump took a bold decision to lift the sanctions speedily, still pending at the Congress …sanctions should not remain because it creates a burden for the people,” al-Sharaa said, addressing the Concordia Summit in his first public appearance in New York. 

Al-Sharaa will address the United Nations in the first session on Wednesday and is hinting at progress on a security agreement with Israel. 

Al-Sharaa said Monday he is in “advanced stages” of talks with Israel for an agreement “that will keep the sovereignty of Syria and also resolve some of the security fears for Israel.” 

U.N. fights for its relevancy 

Hanging over the high-level week is whether the global body remains relevant in a world where international conflicts and human rights violations seem out of control. The body was established in the wake of World War II as a means to resolve conflict through peaceful dialogue and not by force. 

“This week, our mission is clear: to show the power of diplomacy over division,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on the social media site X.

But Filippo Grandi, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees, said, “Peace efforts have become weak and difficult to come to fruition; we see war being conducted in violation of international humanitarian law, with civilians particularly affected.” 

E.U. Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas said on Monday that with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, “it is clear the global order is under fire.”

“This is an argument for a better and more efficient United Nations,” she said.