G20 diplomats divided ahead of Atlanta meet

The top diplomats from the Group of 20 largest world economies, including envoys from Russia and China, are meeting in Atlanta as they face deep rifts over multiple wars and other global crises that threaten international security and trade.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will chair the gathering Friday and Saturday that will set the stage for a G20 leaders summit hosted by President Donald Trump at his Miami golf club in December.

There appears to be little chance that the group will come to a consensus on many of the most contentious issues. Among those are the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US-Israeli war against Iran, US tariffs and Chinese machinations in the South China Sea. All have contributed to spikes in the global cost of fuel as well as uncertainty about trade.

US officials say their top priority for the meeting is resolving differences over issues related to freedom of navigation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Black Sea and the South China Sea.
The topic will include discussions on Iran, Russia-Ukraine and China and its smaller neighbours.

But hanging over the meeting is the prospect of new US military intervention in Iran, which has put the region, including G20 member Saudi Arabia, on edge.

The Associated Press has reported that US officials have told several Middle East countries and regional allies to be prepared for potential renewed military strikes against Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections and the possibility that Iran will retaliate against them.

Some G20 countries have expressed concern that the US invited Russia, which will be represented in Atlanta by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during its heightened attacks on Ukraine. China will be represented by a deputy foreign minister, but most other countries have sent their top diplomat, US officials say.

Russia's presence at G20 gathering may roil Western allies