DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Some House Republicans need this reminder that Russia is not their friend
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There is a major disconnect between two CNN stories on Wednesday about Russia and the US. While it is mostly Republicans who oppose additional funding for Ukraine, they are still a minority, even within their own party. In February, 22 Republicans in the Senate joined all but three Democrats to form a 70-vote majority in favor of the funding. Asked about that propaganda comment by Tapper earlier this month, Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, agreed. The two appeared together at Mar-a-Lago last week, and Johnson has bought into Trump’s proposal to structure some Ukraine aid as a loan rather than direct aid.

Persons: Sean Lyngaas, ”, Mike Johnson, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “ We’re, Matt Gaetz, Chip Roy didn’t, he’s, it’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Defense Lloyd Austin, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin, Ralph Norman, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, Tom Williams, It’s, Liz Cheney, Donald Trump, Michael McCaul, Puck, Tapper, Mike Turner of Ohio, ” Turner, Greene, Ken Buck, Moscow Marjorie ”, Putin, Trump Organizations: CNN, Capitol Hill, GOP, White, Conservative, Ukraine, Republicans, Senate, Florida, ” Texas, Defense, Republican, Fox News, Putin, Texas Republican, Foreign Affairs, House Intelligence, Trump, Mar, Lago Locations: Russia, Texas, Russian, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Wyoming, Colorado

☆ Live updates: Israel weighs response to Iran attack, delays Gaza city offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani at the Pentagon on Monday. Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant discussed the aftermath of Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, the readout said. The secretary also reiterated “steadfast” US support for Israel’s defense. Austin previously asked Gallant to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, according to a US official. The two had spoken hours after Iran had launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Mohammed Shia, Chris Kleponis, Defense Lloyd Austin, “, Yoav Gallant, Austin, Gallant Organizations: US, Iraqi, Pentagon, Getty, Defense, Austin Locations: AFP, Israel, Iran

☆ Israeli defense minister says a direct Iranian attack would require appropriate response
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant speaks during a joint press conference with U.S. secretary of defence, in Tel Aviv. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran. "A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," Gallant told U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to remarks issued by his office. "Echoing President Biden's unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full U.S. support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened," the Pentagon said.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Netanyahu, Austin, Israel, Michael, Erik, Kurilla Organizations: Israel's, U.S, Tel Aviv . Israeli, Israeli, Defense, Pentagon, Army Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Iran, United States, Tehran, East

☆ Biden administration officials believe Netanyahu’s claim a Rafah invasion date has been set is bluster
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Biden administration is dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pronouncement that a date has been set for a ground offensive into Rafah as bluster that is in no small part fueled by the Israeli prime minister’s tenuous political standing at home, senior administration officials told CNN. Privately, multiple senior administration officials chalked up Netanyahu’s pronouncement – which was followed Tuesday by a declaration that that“no force in the world” will stop Israeli troops from entering Rafah – to bravado. Israeli officials argue that four Hamas battalions remain in Rafah that must be taken out. Israeli officials did not provide comprehensive answers to the questions in the meeting, the sources said. Hamas would rebuild from the remaining battalions there, the officials told their US counterparts.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu’s, Israel, chalked, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, ”, Joe Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Defense Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, –, ” Biden, Ron Dermer, Tzachi Hanegbi, Blinken, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Biden, Defense, “, Israel Defense Forces, US Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, Washington

☆ Israel has ‘no choice’ but Rafah offensive, Netanyahu tells US members of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Benjamin Brown | Eugenia Yosef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Israel has faced criticism internationally ahead of its planned offensive on the southern Gaza city, in which more than one million people are currently sheltering. Netanyahu had earlier told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could “just move” out of Rafah and “move with their tents.”“There’s all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah,” Netanyahu said. “People move down, they can move up,” the prime minister added. Disagreements over the impending invasion of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza have driven relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden to a low. The White House said Wednesday that Netanyahu had agreed to reschedule the planned visit by the Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss the possible Rafah operation.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ We’ve, We’ll, ” Netanyahu, Israel “, Said Khatib, Israel, Biden, Joe Biden, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Gallant Organizations: Israel CNN, Israeli, ’, Wednesday, ”, Minister’s, Israel, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Getty, UN Security, Security, CNN, Defense, National Locations: Haifa, Israel, Gaza, It’s, Jerusalem, Rafah, AFP, Washington

☆ The once-forgotten flying wing has taken over the US's bomber fleet
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ben Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Originally designed before America's entry into the Second World War, the YB-49 flying wing was intended to be America's first intercontinental bomber. US Air ForceThe flying wingThe YB-49 was the final iteration of a flying wing bomber concept created by legendary aircraft designer Jack Northrop, founder of the Northrop Corporation. A larger test aircraft, the N-1M, was tested in July of 1940, proving the potential of the flying wing design. The problems with aerial instability could now be solved by computers utilizing fly-by-wire technology and differential thrust, and so a flying wing design was submitted. In order to maintain a powerful bomber force and to keep up with technological innovation, the Air Force launched the Long Range Strike Bomber program in 2011.

Persons: —, Northrop Grumman, Jack Northrop, Northrop, Dunne, elevons —, William Lewis, Defense Lloyd Austin Organizations: Service, US Air, US Air Force, Northrop Corporation, United States Army Air Forces, US Army Air Forces, Britain, USAAF, Air Force, Flag, Nellis, Nellis Air Force Base, Raider, Technology Bomber, Northrop, ATB, Defense Locations: Nazi, Europe, British, Jan, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya

☆ Republicans slam Defense Secretary Austin's 'unacceptable' handling of hospitalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a House Armed Services Committee hearing about his failure to disclose his cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalizations, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 29, 2024. Republicans grilled U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a hearing Thursday about the handling of his January hospitalization following his cancer diagnosis. Thursday's hearing centered around why the Deputy Defense Secretary and the White House were not immediately informed that Austin was hospitalized after complications arose from surgery to treat his prostate cancer. ... As you know, I've apologized, including directly to the president, and I take full responsibility," Austin said at Thursday's hearing. The Defense Department's inspector general is also conducting a review of the incident.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Defense Lloyd Austin, Mike Rogers, Austin, Michael Waltz, she's, you've, I've, Joe Biden, Jim Banks, Adam Smith Organizations: Defense, Armed, Capitol, Pentagon, House Armed Service Committee, Deputy Defense, White, Republicans, Armed Services Committee Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Ukraine

The palace's disclosure that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer shattered that longstanding tradition. “The King has cancer,” the Times of London declared in a terse banner headline Tuesday. But in beaming a sliver of light from inside the palace walls and his own life, Charles has broken with his mother and royal tradition. HOW MUCH DOES THE BRITISH PUBLIC HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW? Charles' news was received with great sympathy in a country in which 3 million people live with cancer, according to Macmillan Cancer Support, a London-based charity.

Persons: King Charles III, Charles, “, Queen Elizabeth II, ”, wasn’t, Charles ’, King George VI, he's, Sally Bedell Smith, “ Charles, Simon Lewis, King, Julie Sharp, Charles “, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Konstantin Chernenko, It’s, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, they’re, Defense Lloyd Austin —, —, William, Kate, Wales, Danica Kirka, Laurie Kellman Organizations: —, BBC Radio, Cancer Research, Soviet, Defense, Defense Department, Black, Royals, Republican, National Center for Social Research, Macmillan Cancer, National Health Service, Associated Locations: London, Soviet Union, United States, Wales, British

☆ US forces hammered dozens of IRGC and Iran-backed militia targets with 125 bombs in retaliation for the drone attack that killed American troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The military action comes days after a drone attack killed US troops in Jordan. AdvertisementThe US military on Friday began strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, a US defense official told Business Insider. AdvertisementThe White House immediately blamed Iran-backed militias for the deadly incident and vowed revenge. The recent drone attack could have been an attempt to undermine the US hold in eastern Syria and to open arms smuggling routes through Jordan to the West Bank. AdvertisementSome US lawmakers have called for the Biden administration to take aggressive military action in retaliation for the Jan. 28 drone attack, including conducting strikes inside Iran itself.

Persons: —, CENTCOM, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, Washington, John Kirby, they're, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, US Central Command, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Quds Force, US, Coalition, Pentagon, Defense, National Security, Institute for, West Bank Locations: Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, United States, Tehran, East, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Hamas

☆ Analysis: What to make of the US retaliation strikes against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It was meant to sound devastating, and likely felt so to the pro-Iranian militias on the receiving end. The Biden administration faced a near-impossible task: Hit hard enough to show you mean it, but also ensure your opponent can absorb the blow without lashing out in return. Mistakes, or unanticipated successes, can lead to spirals, and that can lead to unavoidable, wider conflict. The Biden administration has elections looming, in which it does not need another costly foreign adventure, trouble over its Israel policy, or rising oil prices. There will likely follow criticism of the Biden administration for not using the same blunt and forceful approach of Trump in 2020.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, Donald Trump, Qasem Soleimani, prima, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, Joshua Roberts, Soleimani Organizations: CNN, US Central Command, US, Defense, Force, Hamas, Dover Air Force Base, UN, International Atomic Energy Agency, Trump Locations: Iraq, Syria, Israel, Gaza, Iran, United States, Moscow, Dover , Delaware, Tehran, Washington

☆ Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologizes for his handling of cancer diagnosis and hospitalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2024. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin publicly apologized Thursday for not telling President Joe Biden and the public about his prostate cancer diagnosis and his subsequent hospitalization. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. The Pentagon took three days to inform the White House that Austin had been hospitalized after complications arose from surgery to treat his prostate cancer. Austin said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks assumed his duties on Jan. 2, after he was transferred to the critical care unit for several days.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Defense Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, Austin, I've, Biden, Kathleen H, Hicks Organizations: US, Pentagon, Defense, American, Walter Reed Military Medical Center, Defense Department Locations: Washington ,

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A U.S. district judge in California dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday that sought to force the Biden administration to do all it could to make Israel stop bombing Gaza. It also asked the court to order defendants to stop obstructing attempts by the international community to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. Corrie was run over and killed in 2003 while trying to stop the demolition of a house in Gaza. Still, the lawsuit has brought fresh attention to the thousands of Palestinian Americans and other advocates calling for a cease-fire. Israeli authorities say the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas resulted in about 1,200 people dead and another 250 kidnapped as hostages.

Persons: Biden, Jeffrey White, White, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin “, ” White, Waeil Elbhassi, Israel's, Rachel Corrie, Corrie, Laila El, Haddad, Omar Al Organizations: OAKLAND, —, Hamas, Defense, United, Defence, Children International, West Bank, United Nations, U.S, Circuit, Caterpillar, San Francisco Chronicle Locations: Calif, U.S, California, Israel, Gaza . U.S, Oakland, Gaza, United Nations, Ramallah, West, San Ramon, Maryland, Rafah

☆ Drone that killed US troops in attack slipped past defenses because there was confusion on whether or not it was American: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A drone attack on a US military base in Jordan killed three troops and injured dozens more. AdvertisementThe drone that struck a US military base in Jordan and killed several American troops managed to slip past defenses because it was confused at the time with another unmanned aircraft, according to multiple reports. Three US service members were killed and at least 34 more were injured after a one-way attack drone hit Tower 22, a small logistics outpost in northeastern Jordan, early Sunday local time. As the enemy drone approached the base, an American drone was also returning to the site, leading to confusion over whether the attacking system was a friendly aircraft or not, according to Monday reports from CNN and The Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed US officials. There, American forces provide logistics support to the US-led coalition working to defeat the Islamic State.

Persons: —, Biden, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin Organizations: Pentagon, Service, CNN, Street, Command, Army, Air Force, Islamic, US, Defense, The Washington Institute for Near, Policy, American, Institute for Locations: Jordan, Iran, American, Jordan's, Iraq, Syria, Islamic State, Tehran, Washington, United States, Israel

☆ Philippines and US Intend to Hold '2-Plus-2' Meeting in March, Envoy Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines and the United States intend to hold a "2-plus-2 meeting" of top diplomatic and defence officials in Manila in March, the Philippine ambassador to Washington said on Monday. He said there is an "intention" to hold a meeting, and the plan is "still a work in progress." Romualdez did not respond to a question on what will be the agenda of the planned meeting, which comes at a time of simmering tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea. The Philippines is a treaty ally of the United States. There was no immediate comment from the Philippines' defense secretary, the Philippine foreign ministry, and the U.S. embassy in Manila.

Persons: Jose Manuel Romualdez, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Enrique Manalo, Gilberto Teodoro, Romualdez, Karen Lema, Lisa Shumaker, Diane Craft Organizations: Defense, Nikkei, U.S Locations: MANILA, Philippines, United States, Manila, Philippine, Washington, China, South China

☆ US and Iraqi governments expected to start talks on future of US military presence in the country
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The US and Iraq are expected to soon begin talks on the future of the US military presence in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter, amid public calls from the Iraqi government for the US to withdraw its troops. US military officials and diplomats will be involved in the discussions, officials said. The talks about the future of the US’ military presence have now taken on a greater urgency amid the wider regional instability, and amid growing public calls by the Iraqi government for the US to withdraw its troops from the country. Part of the discussions will focus on whether and when it will be feasible to end the US military presence in Iraq. “The Biden administration is not considering a withdrawal of forces from Syria,” a senior US official told CNN.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, ”, They’re, Mohammed Shia, Sudani, ” “, “, ” Jonathan Lord, Jon Alterman, it’s, Alterman, Elena Romanowski, Biden, CNN’s Haley Britzky Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, ISIS, Defense, ”, ISIS Coalition, Higher, Commission, Center for New American Security, Iraqi Security Forces, Middle, Center for Strategic, International Studies, “ Locations: Iraq, Iraqi, Iran, Syria, ”, Iranian, Baghdad, Israel

☆ The B-21 Raider took its first flight just 2 months ago, but the Pentagon is already sure it wants more of its new stealth bomber
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The B-21 Raider, the US Air Force's newest bomber, has already entered production. AdvertisementProduction of the B-21 Raider is underway, a top Pentagon official revealed this week, a little more than two months after the US Air Force's newest bomber completed its maiden flight. AdvertisementThe B-21 Raider is seen in an undated photograph released on Dec. 2, 2022. Northrop Grumman unveils the B-21 Raider during an event in Palmdale, California on Dec. 2, 2022. The B-21 "Raider," a long-range stealth bomber that can be armed with nuclear weapons, takes off during its first flight in California on Nov. 10, 2023.

Persons: —, William LaPlante, LaPlante, David Swanson, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Northrop Grumman Organizations: Raider, US Air Force's, Pentagon, Service, Business, Northrop Grumman, US Air Force, ., US, REUTERS, Defense Locations: Palmdale , California, California

☆ Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released from hospital
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Oren Liebermann | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday, according to the Pentagon, two weeks after he was admitted for complications following prostate cancer surgery. Austin will work remotely “for a period of time” before returning to the Pentagon, the Pentagon statement said. His discharge comes after Austin was hospitalized on January 1 for complications from a prostate cancer procedure in December. But a little over a week later on January 1, Austin began experiencing severe pain and was taken back to the hospital in an ambulance. “The Department of Defense is the most vital element of the United States government,” Reed and Wicker said.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, ”, John Maddox, Gregory Chesnut, ” Austin, Biden, Joe Biden, “, John Kirby, Pat Ryder, Jake Sullivan, CQ Brown, Erik Kurilla, ” Ryder, Austin’s, Walter Reed, Dr, Oliver Sartor, Otis Brawley, Sen, Jack Reed, Member Sen, Roger Wicker, ” Reed, Wicker Organizations: CNN, US, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Pentagon, Trauma, Center, Prostate Disease, Murtha Cancer, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, House, Defense, National Security, Air Force, Joint Chiefs, Staff, US Central Command, Central Command, Cancer Disease, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Senate Armed Services, Member, Department of Defense, United, Department Locations: Iraq, Syria, Yemen, United States

☆ Opinion: How did we get to this point in Yemen?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

(Not a great time to have had an initially incommunicado, and still-hospitalized, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who authorized the strikes in Yemen from his hospital bed on Thursday.) The Houthis, who were once a ragtag militia with the purely local aim of trying to overthrow the Yemen government, are now projecting Iranian power, not only in the Red Sea but across the region. In other words, just as Hezbollah in Lebanon, 1,500 miles to the north of Yemen, is effectively an arm of the Iranian government, so too now are the Houthis. Those weapons have also been used to attack oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Saudi-allied United Arab Emirates, and, more recently, have targeted Israel as well. Yet, Saudi Arabia is a key reason that the Houthis are now so closely allied to Iran and so well armed.

Persons: Peter Bergen, Osama bin Laden, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, “, Biden Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Defense, United Nations, United Locations: New America, Yemen, Israel, Red, Suez, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Riyadh, Gaza, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Iranian

☆ White House stands by Defense Secretary Austin as bipartisan furor grows over secret ICU stay
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-08 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said there are no plans other "than for Secretary Austin to stay in the job." He remains focused on conducting his duties as Secretary of Defense in defense of our nation." The Pentagon's lawyers were examining whether any laws were broken when Austin failed to report his medical condition. Austin's secret hospitalization came during a week when the U.S. was weighing several notable national security matters, including military action in the Middle East. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that Biden maintains "complete confidence" in Austin.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Lloyd Austin, John Kirby, Austin, Elise Stefanik, Pat Ryder, Kirby, Staff Kelly Magsamen, Jake Sullivan, Kathleen Hicks, Jan, Joe Biden, Biden, Mike Rogers, Adam Smith, Sen, Jack Reed, Reed, Karine Jean, Pierre, Monday Organizations: Defense, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ramstein Air Base, White, National Security, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Congressional, Republican, Republicans, Pentagon, Staff, NSC, National, House, House Armed Services, Armed Services, Department, Department of Defense Locations: Ukraine, Ramstein, Miesenbach, Germany, Austin, U.S, Baghdad, Iran

☆ Houthi attacks and U.S. strikes add to concerns of broader conflict in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-27 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Houthi military helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in this photo released on Nov. 20, 2023. Yemen's Houthi rebels launched fresh attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, while the U.S. carried out strikes against targets in Iraq, amid fears that the war in the Gaza Strip could engulf the Middle East. The U.S. military carried out retaliatory strikes against three installations in Iraq linked to Kataib Hezbollah on Monday, the Pentagon announced, after three American service personnel were injured in a one-way drone attack carried out by the Iran-aligned militant group. On Tuesday, Houthi militants, also backed by Iran, launched a fresh drone attack against a container ship operated by MSC that was heading for Pakistan. "The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a targeting operation against the commercial ship, 'MSC UNITED,' with appropriate naval missiles," Yahya Sare'e, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said in a post on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter.

Persons: Yemen's Houthi, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Yahya Sare'e Organizations: Galaxy Leader, Hezbollah, Pentagon, Defense, Reuters, stoke, Houthi, MSC, Yemeni Armed Forces, UNITED, Twitter Locations: Red, U.S, Iraq, Gaza, The U.S, Iran, Pakistan

☆ Sen. Graham says he has ‘lost all confidence’ in Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Avery Lotz | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday called Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin “naive” for believing further civilian casualties in Gaza could produce even more insurgents and said he has “lost all confidence” in him. “He’s so naive, I mean I just lost all confidence in this guy,” Graham told CNN’s Dana Bash, adding later, “This is a radicalized population. And if you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat,” Austin said. Graham, on “State of the Union,” disagreed: “Strategic defeat would be inflaming the Palestinians? “No Republican is telling Israel to change your military tactics.”

Persons: GOP Sen, Lindsey Graham, Defense Lloyd Austin “, “, ” Graham, CNN’s Dana Bash, Austin, ” Austin, Graham, ”, US Central Command “, Ashraf Al, Stanley McChrystal, Kamala Harris, Jordan, ” “, Harris Organizations: CNN, GOP, Defense, Reagan National Defense, West Bank, Union, South Carolina Republican, Army, US Central Command, Israel, Hamas, of Health, United Arab, Republican Locations: Gaza, Israel, “ State, Austin, saidSaturday, ”, Dubai, Egypt, United Arab Emirates

File photo: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks on as he attends the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered perhaps his strongest remarks to date on Saturday over Israel's need to protect civilians in Gaza, calling them the center of gravity in Israel's war with Hamas and warning over the risks of their radicalization. "So I have repeatedly made clear to Israel's leaders that protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and strategic imperative." The United States has rushed military assistance to Israel, including air defenses and other munitions. "The United States will remain Israel's closest friend in the world.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Willy Kurniawan, Lloyd Austin, he's, Austin, Israel, Austin's, Phil Stewart, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Defense, ASEAN Defense Ministers, REUTERS, Rights, . Defense, Reagan National Defense, West Bank, Islamic State, United, Palestinian, Pentagon, U.S, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Gaza, Austin, Simi Valley , California, Israel, United States, U.S, Iran

HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. military has confirmed that it will permanently end live-fire training in Makua Valley on Oahu, a major win for Native Hawaiian groups and environmentalists after decades of activism. Under the terms of a 2001 settlement, the military hasn’t conducted live-fire training at Makua Valley since 2004. But the court filing “removed the threat that Makua will ever again be subjected to live-fire training," environmental nonprofit Earthjustice said in a news release. Makua Valley was the site of decades of live-fire military training. Political Cartoons View All 1277 ImagesThe Makua Military Reservation spans nearly 5,000 acres.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Army Christine Wormuth, hasn’t, Earthjustice, “, ”, Malama, Sparky Rodrigues, we’re, ’, Malama Makua Organizations: Defense, Army, National Environmental Locations: HONOLULU, Makua Valley, Oahu, Hawaii, Makua

☆ How the U.S. courted the Philippines to thwart China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +14 min

What followed was two trips to the United States in less than a year for Marcos, and visits to the Philippines by high-ranking Biden administration officials. Marcos’ predecessor, the populist firebrand Rodrigo Duterte, was openly hostile to the United States and attempted to bring his country closer to communist China during his six-year term. For the United States, cementing alliances in the Asia-Pacific region is likewise crucial to keeping China in check. China’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement to Reuters, characterized China and the Philippines as “close neighbors across the sea” with a common interest in friendship. At the time, he said the cancellation of his visa was the latest in a list of “gripes and disrespect” by the United States.

Persons: Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Joe Biden, Marcos, Gregorio Maria Araneta III, “, ” Araneta, Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Julio Amador III, Marcos ’, Rodrigo Duterte, China’s, Xi Jinping, ” Marcos ’, Ferdinand Marcos Sr, ”, Marcos family’s, Washington, Duterte, China “, Becca Wasser, Wasser, Barack Obama, Xi, “ I’ve, ” Duterte, Ronald “ Bato, dela Rosa, Dela Rosa, gripes, Toribio Adaci, hadn’t, Blake Herzinger, Herzinger Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Defense, ., Party, China, U.S . State Department, ” Reuters, Philippine, United, Foreign Ministry, ” ‘, People’s Liberation Army, Center, New, New American Security, CNAS, U.S . Department of Defense, U.S ., Initiative, Philippines National Economic Development Authority, United States, Philippine National Police, Washington, Forces, VFA, Mutual, China’s, U.S . Pacific Fleet, Cooperation Locations: Philippines, Philippine, Manila, United States, U.S, China, America, Asia, Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing, South, East Asia, Pacific, Washington, Hawaii, South China, It’s, American, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New American, Taiwan . U.S, Duterte, China’s, Guangdong

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Moscow claims Ukraine is seeing 'colossal losses' after crossing river into Russian-occupied territory
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to conduct offensive operations in the east and south of the country despite rainy and snowy weather conditions, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War noted Tuesday. The ISW also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need to strengthen Ukrainian capabilities before winter during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday. So-called "milbloggers" have also been commenting on deteriorating weather conditions. Milbloggers have become a key feature of the Russian pro-war information space, although some have been critical of the defense ministry and its war strategy. "Russian milbloggers also claimed that muddy conditions are complicating vehicle movements but that both Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to maneuver and operate in all directions," it said.

Persons: Lyman, Serhiy Khlan, Nadiya Zamryha, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Lloyd Austin, Russian milbloggers, Holly Ellyatt Organizations: 21st Mechanized Brigade, Institute for, Ukrainian 14th Mechanized Brigade, U.S, Defense Locations: Ukrainian, Donetsk, Russian, Kherson Oblast, Kherson, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Search resuls for: "Defense Lloyd Austin"

25 mentions found