PARIS: While the fight to avert a new global recession will dominate this week's G20 summit, the leaders of the world's most powerful nations will also address the diplomatic issues that divide them.
As ever, the broader Middle East looms large, with massive changes sweeping the region even in the short 12 months since the last G20 meeting in Seoul.
Should the world recognise Palestinian statehood before a final settlement for Israel? How should it respond to Bashar al-Assad's violent crackdown in Syria? How should it support the aspirations of the Arab Spring revolutions?
MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
One thing that has not changed in the Middle East since the last G20 is the stalemate in the so-called peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, under the diplomatic "Quartet" of Russia, the EU, the US and the UN.
On September 23 the group announced a bid to revive direct talks, but four days later Israel approved the building of 1,100 new settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem, despite a Palestinian demand of a building freeze.
Also on September 23, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas addressed the Security Council to demand his territory be recognised as an independent state, despite Israel's ally Washington's threat of a veto.
G20 host France believes the Quartet process has failed, and wants to include UN Security Council members and Arab countries in a broader dialogue.
The United States could find itself isolated if it chooses to stand in the way of Palestinian statehood, but Israel is adamant that its neighbour should only be recognised in the context of a broader final settlement.
SYRIA
Assad's crackdown on a popular revolt against his rule has left at least 3,000 civilian protesters dead, according to the United Nations, but the UN Security Council is divided and paralysed.
France, Britain and the United States are pushing for tougher sanctions against Damascus, but Russia and China vetoed an October motion and continue to oppose any move towards a regime change policy.
Emerging powers such as Brazil, India and South Africa are also reticent.
ARAB SPRING
Tunisia has just held free elections, Egypt is feeling its way towards a vote and -- with the fall of Moamer Qadhafi's regime -- Libya now has a chance to forge its own future. How should the world help?
The G8 already has a partnership structure in place to support these governments and reforms in Morocco and Jordan, but experts think the broader G20 should also engage in support of democracy and development.
IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAMME
The last nuclear talks between Iran and the so-called 5+1 contact group of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States were in January of this year, and the West fears Tehran is close to developing a bomb.
Iran says it is ready to resume the dialogue, but no date is set.
The G20 meeting in Cannes will be an opportunity for the major players in the stand-off to lay out their own views before the expected publication this month of a report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog IAEA
This is expected to detail new confirmed evidence of the alleged military nature of the Tehran government's nuclear programme.
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