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☆ US officials continue to warn against invasion of Rafah, even as Israel presses ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Blinken and Sullivan both said Biden made the determination because he didn’t want American weapons used in what he estimates would be a bloody, ill-advised operation. At the same time, they sought to rebut claims from Republicans and pro-Israel Democrats that Biden was leaving Israel to fend for itself. Despite American warnings dating back months about the wisdom of a ground invasion into Rafah, Israel appears poised to continue advancing on the city and has issued evacuation orders for some of the 1.4 million civilians estimated to be sheltering there. That is partly why Biden determined that American weapons should not be used in a Rafah offensive. We treat Israel, one of our closest allies and partners, just as we would treat any other country,” Blinken said on NBC.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden, Blinken, Sullivan, Biden, didn’t, Israel, ” Blinken, “ Israel’s, ” Sullivan, ” “, doesn’t, “ We’ve, we’ve, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, that’s Organizations: CNN, Top, White House, Israel Democrats, Hamas, CBS, Ministry, Health, Press, State Department, NBC, Israeli Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel

☆ 50,000 protest Georgia’s foreign agent bill as US sounds alarm over ‘Kremlin-style’ law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —About 50,000 opponents of a “foreign agents” bill marched peacefully in heavy rain through the Georgian capital on Saturday, after the United States said the country had to choose between the “Kremlin-style” law and the people’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. “Georgian parliamentarians face a critical choice – whether to support the Georgian people’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations or pass a Kremlin-style foreign agents’ law that runs counter to democratic values,” he said. Demonstrators protest against the foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 11, 2024. Georgian Dream says the bill will promote transparency and Georgian national sovereignty. Demonstrators protest against the foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 11, 2024.

Persons: “, ”, Jake Sullivan, Irakli Gedenidze, Nino, Vladimir Putin’s, Reuters Bidzina, Sullivan Organizations: CNN, House, Georgian, European, Reuters, Union, Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin, European Union, EU, NATO Locations: States, backsliding, Georgia, European Union, Tbilisi , Georgia, “, Russia, Europe, ”, Georgian, Tbilisi, United States

☆ Middle East Crisis White House Aide Warns Israel Against ‘Smashing Into Rafah’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

John F. Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, said President Biden is concerned that an Israeli assault on Rafah would strengthen Hamas. Smashing into Rafah, in his view, will not advance that objective, will not get to that sustainable, enduring defeat of Hamas. But Mr. Biden has grown increasingly wary of a major assault in the densely populated city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Credit... Abir Sultan/EPA, via ShutterstockMr. Kirby also tried to assuage concerns that the United States was breaking with its closest ally in the Middle East. Mr. Biden’s decision to pause certain weapons shipments to Israel underscored brewing frustrations between Mr. Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Persons: John F, Kirby, Biden, Israel “, ” Mr, Israel —, Israel, Mr, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Abir, Biden’s, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, God’s, ” Organizations: White House, ., American, Congress Locations: Rafah, Israel, Gaza, United States, “, I’m, Israeli, Abir Sultan, Egypt

☆ Withholding US weapons from Israel could force changes in how it fights but may not stop its devastating assault
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week amid rising concerns over a Rafah assault. Israeli soldiers work on armored military vehicles at a staging ground near the Israeli-Gaza border, in southern Israel on May 8, 2024. That would be a more difficult fight for the Israeli military, Byman said. A view shows Israeli F-16 fighter jets on a runway in an airbase in southern Israel on March 4, 2024. It is not necessarily an unprecedented move, as past US administrations have also threatened to withhold military support from Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, —, Israel, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Daniel Byman, Byman, Israel's, CNN's Erin Burnett, We're, Raphael Cohen, Cohen, Hatem Khaled, John Kirby, Mohammed Salem, Netanyahu Organizations: US, Service, AP, State Department, Attack Munitions, Transnational, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Hezbollah, REUTERS, RAND Corporation, AIR FORCE, US Army Reserve, White House National Security Council Locations: Israel, Washington, Gaza, Rafah, I'm, Egypt

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden’s decision this week to make public his ultimatum that a major Israeli offensive in the city of Rafah would result in a shut-off of some US weapons did not come easily or lightly. Last week, Biden signed off on a pause of 3,500 bombs to Israel that administration officials feared would be dropped on Rafah. Aware or not of the president’s views, Israeli officials reacted with shock to the public announcement. Israeli officials also sought to downplay the significance of Biden’s announcement. It marked the clearest signal yet that six months into the war, Biden was starting to seriously consider conditioning US support for Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden’s, Netanyahu, Biden, Still, CNN’s Erin Burnett, he’d, ” Biden, Burnett, wasn’t, “, Erin Burnett, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Daniel Hagari, Israel, –, Jesus, Israel’s, ” Kirby, straightforwardly, pare, Donald Trump, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, Mike Johnson, who’d, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman, they’re, CNN’s Manu Raju, Sen, Jon Tester, Ben Cardin, “ I’m, I’ve, we’ve, ” Sen, Bernie Sanders Organizations: Washington CNN, Israel Defense Forces, White, National Security, CNN, Kitchen, Capitol, Israel, Biden’s CNN, GOP, Politico, Pennsylvania, Foreign Relations Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, Wisconsin, I’m, Rafah Israel, “ Israel, Utah, Montana, Vermont

☆ White House Aide Warns Israel Against ‘Smashing Into Rafah’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A White House spokesman warned on Thursday that Israel “smashing into Rafah” would not eradicate Hamas as he urged the country to find alternatives to the long-threatened assault on a city where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering. But Mr. Biden has grown increasingly wary of a major assault in the densely populated city of Rafah in southern Gaza. “An enduring defeat of Hamas certainly remains the Israeli goal, and we share that goal with them,” Mr. Kirby said. On Wednesday, he said he would also withhold artillery if Israel went ahead with a major operation in Rafah. “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, that deal with that problem,” Mr. Biden said in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett.

Persons: Israel “, John F, Kirby, Biden, ” Mr, Israel —, Israel, Mr, CNN’s Erin Burnett Organizations: White House Locations: Rafah, Israel, Gaza, United States, “, I’m

☆ Biden says U.S. won’t supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah, in warning to ally
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Biden has said that Israel needs to do far more to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza. "We're going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself," Austin said. "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah." A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israel's military. "Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Biden, Israel, we're, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ali Jadallah, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Menahem Kahana, Gilad Erdan, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Sanders of, Sanders, Netanyahu, Hatem Khaled, Itamar Yaar Organizations: Gateway Technical College, Reuters, Hamas, CNN, Israel, Anadolu, Getty Images, Biden, White House National Security, Palestinian Hamas, Afp, Getty, United Nations, Congress, Republican, Republicans, Austin, Reuters Privately, The State Department, Israel's National Security Council, Islamic State Locations: Sturtevant , Wisconsin, U.S, Israel, Rafah, Gaza, I'm, Palestinian, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, United States, Egypt

☆ Hamas to consider ceasefire-hostage release proposal that Israeli sources say could avert Rafah invasion
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Becky Anderson | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A working-level Israeli delegation of Mossad, Shin Bet and the Israeli military officials is expected to travel to Cairo on Tuesday, the Israeli source and another Israeli official said. Hamas has insisted that a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza should be part of the agreement. But Israeli sources have characterized the latest Egyptian effort to broker a deal as the last chance to avert that offensive. “The only chance to stop Rafah is a deal,” the Israeli source familiar with the negotiations said. Twenty people, including at least one infant and a toddler, died following an Israeli airstrike over Rafah, Gaza, overnight into Monday, according to hospital officials.

Persons: Shin Bet, Yahya Sinwar, Antony Blinken, ”, Børge Brende, “, Sameh Shoukry, Israel, ” Shoukry, Blinken, John Kirby, Biden, we’ve, “ They’ve, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Mahmmoud Basal, Hijazi Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, CNN, Mossad, Hamas, Economic, White, National Security Council, US, ABC, Israeli, Gaza Civil Locations: Riyadh, Jerusalem, Egypt, Israel, Gaza, Rafah, United States, Cairo, Saudi, “, Israeli, Rafah “, Gaza City

☆ Senate passes reauthorization of a key U.S. surveillance program after midnight deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

After its midnight deadline, the Senate voted early Saturday to reauthorize a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans' data nearly forced the statute to lapse. The legislation approved 60-34 with bipartisan support would extend for two years the program known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. "If you miss a key piece of intelligence, you may miss some event overseas or put troops in harm's way," Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said. One of the major changes detractors had proposed centered around restricting the FBI's access to information about Americans through the program. "I think that is a risk that we cannot afford to take with the vast array of challenges our nation faces around the world," Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Friday.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Biden's, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Ayman al, Sen, Marco Rubio, shouldn't, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Schumer, Dick Durbin, Durbin, Democratic Sen, Mark Warner Organizations: Homeland, U.S, Capitol, Foreign Intelligence, White House, FISA, Republican, Senate Intelligence, Justice Department, United, Justice, Biden, U.S . Capitol, Democratic Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, harm's, United States

☆ Israel's limited attack on Iran was to send a message that it can penetrate Iranian defenses whenever it wants, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Israel carried out a limited military strike on Iranian soil on Friday morning. Analysts said the strike was likely a demonstration of Israel's capacity to reach Iranian nuclear sites. Two unnamed Israeli defense officials also told The New York Times that the Israeli military had mounted the attack. Related storyReports said that explosions were heard close to an Iranian military base near Isfahan, with Iranian state media outlet IRNA reporting that air defense systems had been activated. IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Iran’s nuclear sites.

Persons: Israel, —, IRNA, @rafaelmgrossi, Jonathan Conricus, they've, Richard Goldberg, Ahmad Haqtalab Organizations: Service, Washington Post, Post, New York Times, Nuclear Threat Initiative, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Israel Defense Forces, White House National Security Council, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Locations: Iran, Israel, Damascus, Iranian, Isfahan, Ifsahan, Jerusalem

☆ Senior White House official tapped to serve in important European ambassadorial role amid Ukraine concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Priscilla Alvarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Curtis Ried, a longtime career foreign service officer who has served under two presidents at the White House, who currently serves as chief of staff and counselor of the White House National Security Council is being nominated for the post, CNN has learned. As Congress grapples with next steps on Ukraine aid, Biden administration officials have warned of the consequences if Ukraine doesn’t receive billions in additional funding, citing losses on the battlefield and ceding ground to Russia. The OSCE is the world’s largest regional security organization and is made up of 57 members, including Russia. The move to nominate Ried comes as the US seeks to reaffirm leadership on the world stage amid political wrangling in Washington that’s stalled aid to Ukraine. It’s unclear, however, when Ried would assume the post as the nomination still needs to work its way through the Senate.

Persons: Joe Biden, Curtis Ried, Ried, Biden, Michael Carpenter, ” Carpenter, Washington that’s, Bill Burns, “, He’s Organizations: CNN, White House, Organization for Security, Cooperation, Ukraine, White, White House National Security Council, United Nations, Biden, OSCE, National Security Council, CIA, Senate Locations: Europe, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Gaza, Ried, Russia, Israel, Russian, Washington

☆ The US says it won't shoot down drones over Ukraine, despite doing the same to protect Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US helped shoot down Iranian drones and missiles fired at Israel over the weekend. But the White House said it wouldn't do the same for Ukraine, calling it a "different threat picture." AdvertisementThe White House said on Monday that it would not shoot down drones for Ukraine, despite having done so for Israel over the weekend. Israel said that Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at it on Saturday night. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby was asked in a media briefing if the US could also help to shoot down drones over Ukraine.

Persons: —, Israel, Jordan, John Kirby Organizations: Service, White, National Security, Business Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Iran, France

☆ Biden tells Netanyahu US will not support counter-strike against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Saturday, Biden sought to frame Israel’s successful interception of the Iranian onslaught as a major victory — with the suggestion that further Israeli response was unnecessary. Biden told the Israeli prime minister in his phone call that he should consider Saturday a win because Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, a senior administration official said. Even as American officials stressed to their counterparts that the final decision on how to respond to Iran is up to Israel, Biden has sought to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict. In this handout photo, released early Sunday local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks on the phone with US President Joe Biden. “I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks — sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” Biden said in a statement following his conversation with Netanyahu.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, John Kirby, ” Kirby, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, “, Israel, ” Biden, Netanyahu, Kirby, Israel —, ”, Tapper, Gallant, Hossein, CNN’s Catherine Nicholls, Tamar Michaelis Organizations: CNN, White House, Union . ”, Seven, Sunday, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Israel, Iran, “ State, Gaza, Tehran

☆ John Bolton calls for a 'far stronger' response from Israel after Iran's missile and drone attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewFormer national security advisor John Bolton called for a "far stronger" response from Israel after Iran launched a missile and drone attack against the country. "A 200 ballistic missile, cruise missile, drone failure." Related story"I think that means by definition, Israel's response — and there should be a response — should not be proportionate," he told Blitzer. Bolton said on NewsNation's "The Hill Sunday," however, that the Iranian government looked "weak" after its attack.

Persons: —, John Bolton, George W, Bush, Donald Trump's, Wolf Blitzer, Bolton, Blitzer, Biden, John Kirby, Joe Biden, Kirby, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Bolton, UN, CNN, Business, Trump, White House Locations: Israel, Iran, United States

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will push for aid to Israel and Ukraine this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, waits to speak during a news conference after a closed-door House Republican caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on February 29, 2024. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he will try to advance wartime aid for Israel this week as he attempts the difficult task of winning House approval for a national security package that also includes funding for Ukraine and allies in Asia. Johnson told Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures" that he and Republicans "understand the necessity of standing with Israel" and he would try this week to advance the aid. Meanwhile, senior GOP lawmakers who support aid to Ukraine are growing frustrated with the months-long wait to bring it to the House floor. "We pass the Senate bill, it goes straight to the president's desk and you start getting the aid to Ukraine immediately.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Israel, Mike Turner of Ohio, Biden, John Kirby, Kirby, Donald Trump, Trump, he's, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Turner, Gregory Meeks, Henry Cuellar Organizations: Republican, Capitol, Sunday, Fox, GOP, House Intelligence, Natural Gas, White House, NBC, Ukraine, White, Trump, Republicans, Washington, Senate, Democrats, House Foreign Affairs, Texas Democrat Locations: Louisiana, Washington , DC, Israel, Ukraine, Asia, U.S, Gaza, Taiwan, Iran, Mexico, White, Florida, Georgia, Russia, United States, Texas

☆ Israel is struggling to find and kill the top Hamas commanders it wants most
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The IDF has managed to kill some of Hamas' top commanders, but it continues to hunt down others. AdvertisementMore than six months into its war in Gaza, Israel has little to show for its efforts. Israel has claimed that it has eliminated a significant number of mid- to senior-level commanders of Hamas' military wing, known as the al-Qassam Brigades. Related storiesAll three men were known to be Hamas military operatives, Israel said. AP Photo/Leo CorreaBut several top Hamas military leaders, including those most wanted by Israel, remain at-large.

Persons: —, Marwan Issa, Jake Sullivan, Issa, Israel, Gaza's, Khan Younis, Fatima Shbair Israel, Saleh, Israel's Shin, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Leo Correa, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed, Mohammed Deif, Sullivan, Charlie Herbert, Herbert, Herbert said, Yoav Gallant, Biden Organizations: IDF, White, Service, Israel Defense Forces, AP, White House, Gaza's Hamas, United Nations, Hezbollah, Brigades, Hamas, 162nd Division, Israeli Locations: Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Beirut, Lebanon, Iran, Hamas, Jerusalem, Yemen, NATO, Khan, Rafah, Western

☆ A bloodthirsty ISIS branch is 'on the upswing' after the US left Afghanistan in a lurch, a former top commander says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

AdvertisementIn the years since the US and its NATO allies left Afghanistan, a particularly violent branch of the Islamic State terror group has grown stronger. During the first few years of its existence, ISIS-K attacks were mainly confined to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The first year under the Taliban's rule saw a sharp uptick in terror attacks inside Afghanistan. But that trend has changed in recent months; attacks inside the country declined while attacks beyond its borders have increased. Thus, the conditions inside Afghanistan have awarded the terror group space to develop a greater capacity to stage external attacks.

Persons: —, Joseph Votel, Hamid, Taylor Crul, Michael Kugelman, Kugelman, MARCUS YAM, Votel, that's, Doug Ellis, Qassem, STRINGER, Michael Kurilla, John Kirby, Biden, Kirby Organizations: Service, NATO, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S . Air Force, US Air Force, REUTERS ISIS, Islamic, ISIS, Department of Defense, Hamid, AP, South Asia Institute, Wilson, Kabul International Airport, ANGELES, US Central Command, Security Forces, Staff, Getty, White, National Security, Department, Defense Locations: Afghanistan, Moscow, Kabul, Handout, Khorasan Provence, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Washington, Darzab district, Jowzjan province, Mar, Iran, Central Asia, Iranian, Kerman, Europe, Russia, Islamic State, Crocus, American, Achin, Nangarhar Province

The House has put a modified surveillance bill on track for final passage as soon as Friday, just days after an earlier version failed to advance in a public rebuke to GOP leadership. The House voted Friday morning to approve the rule governing debate surrounding the modified bill behind Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reauthorization, a key step before final passage. Greene was seen on the House floor speaking to Johnson, who later told reporters the two spoke about “all sorts of things.”“Marjorie and I agree on our conservative philosophy,” Johnson said. Johnson organized a classified reading room off the House floor for members to view classified information ahead of Friday’s vote, according to a GOP leadership aide. White House National Security communications adviser John Kirby reiterated the White House’s support for the reauthorization ahead of the final House floor vote expected later Friday.

Persons: Mike Johnson –, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Greene, ” “ Marjorie, ” Johnson, “, Donald Trump, ”, Joe Biden, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Aileen Graef Organizations: Foreign Intelligence, GOP, Louisiana Republican, FISA, Trump, House, FBI, Senate, reauthorization, White, National Security Locations: Louisiana, Georgia, Ukraine, Florida, Iran

☆ Middle East Crisis Biden Is Set to Speak With Netanyahu Amid Rising Frustration With Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

President Biden’s anger and frustration over Israel’s conduct in the war has hit a peak in recent weeks, according to a senior administration official. It was not immediately clear what, if any, changes in U.S. policy toward Israel would accompany the sharp criticism and anger from Mr. Biden and his top officials. You know, we’re going to have to wait to see what the investigation says,” Mr. Kirby told reporters in Washington. Mr. Kirby said on Wednesday that the United States did not plan to carry out its own separate investigation. “I hope this will be the moment where the president changes course,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland.

Persons: Biden’s, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, Yoav Gallant, John F, Kirby, “ I’m, ” Mr, “, Netanyahu, Israel’s, Chris Van Hollen, Rishi Sunak, Katie Rogers Organizations: Defense, Pentagon, White House Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, Australia, Britain, Canada, United States, Poland, Maryland

☆ Biden and Netanyahu call comes amid extreme mutual tensions and political pressure
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The conversation will also take place with both leaders under enormous domestic pressure and amid signs their political priorities are irreconcilable. Biden badly needs the war to end to ease anger among progressives that is threatening his weakened political coalition ahead of November’s election. The backdrop to the call is US fury over the killings of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen in an Israeli strike in Gaza. And the killings of the aid workers threatens to halt a vital lifeline needed to mitigate famine in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The strike on Damascus also heaped more domestic political pressure on Biden from inside the Democratic Party.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, ’, Biden, Netanyahu, It’s, Xi Jinping, Biden’s, ”, Israel, John Kirby, José Andrés, “, Rishi Sunak, Donald Trump, Thaer Ahmad, Nahreen Ahmed, ‘, Biden “, Benny Gantz, Ro Khanna, Mark Esper, ” Esper, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Netanyahu – Organizations: CNN, Israeli, National Security Communications, Hamas, World, Reuters, Navy, America, Gaza Health Ministry, Israel Defense Forces, Republicans, Capitol, British, Democratic, White, Black, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Democratic Party, ”, Democrats, California Democrat, Americans, Iranian Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Washington, Syria, China, America, Britain, Australia, Canada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Palestinian American, Palestine, Damascus, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Iranian, Damascus –, United States, Lebanon, California, Jordan

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson remains undecided on best path ahead on Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson is pledging to act on Ukraine aid when lawmakers return to Washington next week, but behind the scenes the Louisiana Republican is still undecided on the best path forward and keenly aware of his narrow majority and the threat to his speakership that looms. “He’s got a gun to his head right now,” Rep. Don Bacon, a swing-district Republican, said of the speaker. Greene and Johnson are expected to talk later this week, but the Georgia Republican has remained steadfast in her opposition to Ukraine aid. Given fierce conservative opposition and a narrow margin, it’s possible Johnson could need to bring any Ukraine aid bill to the floor under a suspension of the rules. In recent days, Johnson has also floated the idea of easing natural gas exports, but it’s not clear that would do much to assuage conservative backlash against Ukraine aid.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, “ He’s, ” Rep, Don Bacon, Churchill, ” Johnson, Mitch McConnell, –, Mike McCaul, “, Mike, Chip Roy, Matt Gaetz, I’ve, he’s, they’d, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, ” Greene, ”, Brian Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick, It’s, John Kirby, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, ”, Republican, GOP, Republican Rep, Fox News, CNN, Georgia Republican, Democratic, House, White, National Security Communications Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Texas, Pennsylvania, Gaza

☆ The US allowed a Gaza ceasefire resolution to pass at the UN. What does that mean for the war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Abbas Allawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Following several failed attempts over five months of Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council on Monday finally passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. Israeli officials lambasted the resolution, saying they have no intention of ceasing fire. Israel criticized the language of the resolution, saying it doesn’t firmly tie a ceasefire to the freeing of the hostages held in Gaza. Oren Ziv/AFP/Getty ImagesIs the resolution binding on Israel? After the resolution passed, US officials went to great lengths to say that the resolution isn’t binding.

Persons: doesn’t, ”, United Nations Gilad Erdan, Israel Katz, ” Katz, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, Joe Biden, Gabriela Shalev, Louis Har, Oren Ziv, Matthew Miller, John Kirby, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Zhang Jun, Farhan Haq, VI, VII, Maya Ungar, ” Ungar, Yossi Mekelberg, ” Mekelberg, Ungar, ” Shalev, ” Biden, Dawoud Abu Alkas, Biden, Kamala Harris, Kirby, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, Shalev, Israel Organizations: CNN, United Nations Security, Hamas, United Nations, Council, Foreign, US, UN, Hebrew, Getty, State Department, White, National Security, Crisis Group, ICG, Chatham House, Security Council, Assembly, Reuters, Washington, Israel’s Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Washington, Rafah, Israeli, Tel Aviv, UN, Brussels, East, North Africa, London, Al Shifa, Gaza City, Reuters Israel

☆ Netanyahu cancels Israeli delegation to U.S. over UN Gaza vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said he will not send a delegation as planned to Washington after the United States refrained from vetoing a U.N. Security Council proposal calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. "In light of the change in the American position, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided the delegation would not leave," his office said. The United States abstained from the vote. The high-level delegation was due to travel to Washington to discuss a planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are taking shelter. "It's shocking irresponsibility from a prime minister who has lost it," Lapid wrote on social media platform X.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, Netanyahu, John Kirby, Kirby, We're, Yoav Gallant, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Yair Lapid, Lapid Organizations: Major, Jewish, Hamas, Security, . Security, United, White House, House, Washington, Israeli, U.S Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Jerusalem, Washington, States, Gaza, Rafah, United States

☆ Russia says 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Gunmen who opened fire at a Moscow concert hall killed more than 60 people and wounded over 100 while sparking an inferno, authorities said on March 23, 2024, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility. The prosecutor's office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers. Working to extinguish the blaze continues at Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, Russia after reports of a shooting incident on March 23, 2024. Working to extinguish the blaze continues at Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, Russia after reports of a shooting incident on March 23, 2024. An injured woman is transported to an ambulance near the Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, near Moscow, Russia.

Persons: Stringer, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Sobyanin, Putin, fatigues, Ali Cura, Dave Primov, Primov, Aymenn Jawad, Dmitry Medvedev, Mykhailo Podolyak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, John Kirby, Maksim Blinov Organizations: Crocus City, Gunmen, Islamic, Afp, Getty, Associated Press, Moscow, Health, Crocus City Hall, Anadolu, Russian, U.S, AP, Soviet Union, Russia's Security, White House National Security Council, Embassy, Sputnik Locations: Russian, Crocus, Krasnogorsk, Moscow, U.S, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow's, Sinai, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Africa, Soviet, Islamic State, Kaluga, Ingushetia, Russia's Caucasus

☆ Russian missiles that Patriots have beaten before are slipping through cracks in Ukraine's defenses
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to suggest that his country still needs more of the advanced air-defense systems. Rescue team works at a site of residential buildings destroyed by a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on March 22, 2024. AdvertisementKyiv maintains a formidable arsenal of air-defense assets alongside the Patriots, which includes Soviet-era systems and others provided by the West. But Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy, have repeatedly said that the existing capabilities are not enough to protect the country from unrelenting Russian bombardments.

Persons: —, Denys Shmyhal, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Stringer, Zelenskyy, Adrienne Watson, Michal Dyjuk Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Business, Telegram Channel, Ukraine's, Dnipro, Telegram, AP Ukraine, Kharkiv, REUTERS, Patriots, National Security, Patriot, U.S, AP, US, Pentagon Locations: Russia, Kyiv, Ukraine, Moscow, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, Warsaw, Poland

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