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☆ US lawmakers vow to bolster Taiwan’s defense with bipartisan visit days after China’s ‘punishment’ military drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —US lawmakers vowed to bolster Taiwan’s deterrence against China on Monday during a bipartisan congressional visit to the self-governing democracy just days after Beijing surrounded the island with massive military exercises. US Representative Michael McCaul, Republican-Texas, has vowed to bolster Taiwan's deterrence against China. China’s military drills, he said, were “to express their displeasure with President Lai, a president democratically elected by the people of Taiwan.”But he added they had another objective. The delegation also met with Lai, Taiwan’s new leader, on Monday morning. China responded with a show of military force and later imposed sanctions on McCaul.

Persons: Lai Ching, Michael McCaul, ”, McCaul, Lai, ” McCaul, China’s, Xi Jinping, Xi, “, Mao Ning, Michael Brochstein, Lin Chia, ” “ It’s, ” Lin, Taiwan’s, “ Taiwan’s, ” Lai, Ronald Reagan’s, Tsai Ing, Nancy Pelosi’s Organizations: CNN, China, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Taiwan, US, Party, Republican, Ministry, Taiwan’s Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Texas, United States, America, People’s Republic of China

☆ US says Russia used choking agents against Ukrainian troops, breaching chemical weapons ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident, and is probably driven by Russian forces’ desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield,” it said. Russia has previously denied using chemical weapons. The US has previously warned Russia against chemical warfare in Ukraine; in March 2022, a month after the invasion began, President Joe Biden said that NATO would respond if Russia used chemical weapons in Ukraine. The use of chemical weapons is banned by international law. Russia has signed those treaties and claims it doesn’t have chemical weapons, but the country has already been linked to the use of nerve agents against critics in recent years.

Persons: Ukraine’s, Chloropicrin, Joe Biden, Mallory Stewart, Sergei Skripal, Alexey Navalny –, Vladimir Putin, Navalny Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Ukrainian, Chemical Weapons Convention, CWC, Russian Embassy, CDC, State Department, United, United Arab Emirates, US, NATO Locations: United States, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Netherlands, China, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, United Arab, Moscow, Ukrainian, Siberia

☆ Some in State Department don’t believe Israel is using US weapons in accordance with international law, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The State Department is divided over whether Israel is using American-provided weapons in accordance with international law ahead of a fast-approaching deadline next week for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make a determination to Congress. Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes and abuses during the war in Gaza. The State Department official Sunday did not give further details about which parts of the department are in favor of accepting Israel’s assurances, which are in favor of rejecting them, and which took no position. “We don’t comment on leaked documents, especially those purporting to contain classified information,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. While the report does not represent the US government’s own conclusions, Blinken said last week that the State Department was looking at the incidents.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Israel, Joe Biden, Blinken, International Organization Affairs –, Matthew Miller, ”, Biden, Joe, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, Lloyd Austin, Israel “ meritless, ” CNN’s Michael Conte, Kayla Tausche, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, The State Department, ”, Hamas, Reuters, –, Human Rights, Labor, Justice, International Organization Affairs, Department, National, Israel, Foreign, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Progressives, Sunday, Central, State, State Department, Armed Services Locations: Israel, Gaza, Western

☆ Here’s what aid the House would provide Israel, Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Katie Lobosco | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Republicans released the text of three bills Wednesday that would provide aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, with the latter intended to help deter Chinese aggression in the area. Taken together, the House bills add up to about $95 billion in aid – the same amount the Senate bill included – with an adjustment that $10 billion in Ukraine economic assistance is in the form of a repayable loan, CNN has reported. Nearly $14 billion included in the bill would help Ukraine buy advanced weapons systems and other defense equipment. The Senate bill, by comparison, would provide $14.1 billion in assistance to Israel, including funds for missile defense systems and foreign military financing to help Israel reestablish territorial security and deterrence, and $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid. The Senate bill contained very similar provisions to bolster security in the region.

Persons: Joe Biden, Here’s what’s, Russia –, Israel, CNN’s Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot, Melanie Zanona Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, Israel, House, Foreign, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Senate Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Russia, Iran, Taiwan

While waiting for Congress to pass a budget and potentially approve more money for Ukraine’s fight, the U.S. will be looking to allies to keep bridging the gap. Tuesday's meeting will focus on longer-term needs, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Monday. “Even though we aren’t able to provide our security assistance right now, our partners are continuing to do that,” Singh said. The U.S. has provided Ukraine more than $44.2 billion in security assistance since Russia invaded in February 2022. An additional $1.7 billion has been provided by the U.S. State Department in the form of foreign military financing.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Ukraine’s, Sabrina Singh, ” Singh, Austin, Marty O’Donnell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, Ukraine, White House, U.S, United Nations, Kyiv, U.S . State Department, U.S . Army, United Locations: Ukraine, United States, Russia, U.S, Israel, Mexico, U.S . Army Europe, Africa, Germany

☆ A top Democrat's indictment could be a game-changer for 2 troublesome allies seeking US fighter jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Menendez's removal could be a game-changer for two countries who have long sought US fighter jets. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . His removal could be a game-changer for Egypt and Turkey — two important but vexing US allies — when it comes to buying modern US-made fighter jets to upgrade their air forces. Turkey's F-16 prospectsA Turkish F-16 during a NATO Air Policing mission out of Poland in August 2021. It has ordered 54 French-made Rafale multirole jets in a bid to, at least partially, diversify its overwhelmingly American-made fighter arsenal.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, —, Bob Menendez's, Turkey's, Cuneyt, Getty Images Menendez, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Ben Cardin, Getty Images Cardin, Cardin, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, Frank McKenzie, Derek Seifert Cairo, Su, Paul Iddon Organizations: Foreign, Service, New, New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, NATO Air Policing, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Turkish, NATO, Turkish Air Force, East, Business, US Air Force KC, 135R, US Air Force, Getty, US Central Command, State Department, Air Force Locations: New Jersey, Egypt, Turkey, Turkish, Poland, NATO, coziness, Russia, Malbork, North Africa, Israel, Cairo, China, Dubai, United States, France

☆ Jordan asked US to deploy Patriot air defence missiles, army says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Suleiman Al-Khalidi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

AMMAN, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Staunch U.S. ally Jordan asked Washington to deploy Patriot air defence systems to bolster its border defence at a time of heightened regional tensions and conflict, the spokesperson for the country's army said on Sunday. "We asked the American side to help bolster our defence system with Patriot air defence missile systems," Brigadier General Mustafa Hiyari, Jordan's army spokesperson, told state television. U.S. Patriot missiles were stationed in the kingdom in 2013 following an uprising in northern neighbour Syria where the kingdom feared a civil war could spill over and ignite a regional conflict. The Patriot, considered one of the most advanced U.S. air defense systems, is usually in short supply, with allies around the world vying for it. "The drones have become a threat on all our fronts," army spokesperson Hiyari said.

Persons: Jordan, General Mustafa Hiyari, Hiyari, Lloyd Austin, Amman, Suleiman Al, Khalidi, Deepa Babington, Grant McCool Organizations: U.S . Patriot, Pentagon, United, Senior Biden, Defense, Border, Thomson Locations: AMMAN, U.S, Washington, Syria, Gaza, Israel, United States, Iran, Iraq

☆ Jordan Asked US to Deploy Patriot Air Defence Missiles -Army
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Suleiman Al-KhalidiAMMAN (Reuters) -Staunch U.S. ally Jordan asked Washington to deploy Patriot air defence systems to bolster its border defence at a time of heightened regional tensions and conflict, the spokesperson for the country's army said on Sunday. "We asked the American side to help bolster our defence system with Patriot air defence missile systems," Brigadier General Mustafa Hiyari, Jordan's army spokesperson, told state television. U.S. Patriot missiles were stationed in the kingdom in 2013 following an uprising in northern neighbour Syria where the kingdom feared a civil war could spill over and ignite a regional conflict. The Patriot, considered one of the most advanced U.S. air defense systems, is usually in short supply, with allies around the world vying for it. "The drones have become a threat on all our fronts," army spokesperson Hiyari said.

Persons: Suleiman Al, Khalidi, Jordan, General Mustafa Hiyari, Hiyari, Lloyd Austin, Amman, Deepa Babington, Grant McCool Organizations: U.S . Patriot, Pentagon, United, Senior Biden, Defense, Border Locations: Khalidi AMMAN, U.S, Washington, Syria, Gaza, Israel, United States, Iran, Iraq

☆ US aid to Israel and Ukraine: Here’s what’s in the $105 billion national security package Biden requested
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration on Friday laid out the details of a $105 billion national security package that includes military and humanitarian assistance for the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. House Republicans are still struggling to unite behind a speaker to lead their conference, and until one is elected, the national security package will remain in limbo. The Biden administration’s prior request for $24 billion in Ukraine aid was not included in a stopgap government funding measure Congress approved in late September. Here’s what’s in the package, according to the White House:$61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine$30 billion for the Defense Department for equipment for Ukraine and the replenishment of US stocks. $10 billion for humanitarian assistance$9.15 billion for aid for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and other humanitarian needs.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Here’s Organizations: CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, White, Defense Department, National Nuclear Security Administration, Israel, Iron, State Department, West Bank, Treasury Department, World Bank Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Mexico, Taiwan, Congress, Europe, assertiveness, China

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez, once top Senate foreign-policy chairman, accused of acting as foreign agent
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Federal prosecutors say Sen. Bob Menendez acted as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt. They said in a new indictment that Menendez should have registered as a foreign lobbyist. He was the top Senate Democrat for foreign policy for most of the time the allegations stemmed from. In a new superseding indictment, prosecutors added the foreign-agent charge to the litany of counts against Menendez, his wife, Nadine Menendez, and a New Jersey businessperson. At the time from which the allegations stem, Bob Menendez was the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, —, Democratic Sen, Nadine Menendez, Will Hana, Hana, Prosecutors, Nadine, Trump, David Rivera Organizations: Service, Democratic, Prosecutors, Benz, Senate Foreign Relations, Democrats, New, State Department, Justice Department, US Department of Agriculture, USDA, Foreign, Republican Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Menendez's, Cairo, Washington, FARA

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez charged with acting as agent of Egypt in superseding indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Sen. Robert Menendez is trailed by reporters after attending a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on federal judge nominations on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 4, 2023. Sen. Bob Menendez has been accused of accepting bribes and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, according to a superseding federal indictment filed Thursday. For more than four years through June 2022, Menendez, D-N.J., along with his wife and others, "willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with each other" to have the senator act as an agent for the Egyptian government, the indictment alleges. The indictment also alleges that Menendez, who is up for reelection next year, "provided sensitive U.S. government information and took other steps that secretly aided" Egypt's government. Menendez and his wife received thousands of dollars in bribes "in exchange for Menendez's acts and breaches of duty to benefit" Egypt and others, "including with respect to foreign military sales and foreign military financing," the indictment says.

Persons: Sen, Robert Menendez, Bob Menendez, Menendez, confederated Organizations: Capitol, Washington , D.C Locations: Washington ,, Egypt

For nearly three decades – from fiscal years 1974 to 2002 – Israel was the top recipient of U.S. aid, the longest-standing duration for a top aid recipient dating back to 1946, according to figures from ForeignAssistance.gov. While 2003 to 2020 saw the most aid going to either Iraq or Afghanistan, Israel nevertheless remained a top three aid recipient throughout that time. In 2021, U.S. obligations to Israel amounted to $3.31 billion, a figure that saw Israel returning to the top spot among aid recipients that year. Almost all U.S. aid to Israel recently has been military aid rather than economic aid, in the form of Foreign Military Financing grants – U.S. grants and loans to Israel for acquiring U.S. military equipment and services. Israel saw that rate peak at 30.5% in 1975, but it has slowly been descending since.

Persons: Biden, Gerald R, Ford, Israel, – Israel, Christine Wormuth, Kevin McCarthy’s, Israel’s Rafael, – Organizations: United, Foreign Military Financing, U.S, Congressional Research Service, CRS, Israel Defense Forces, Defense Systems, Raytheon, Raytheon Rafael, Protection Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, Boeing, Israel, World Bank, Russia, USAID . Missile Locations: Israel, U.S, United States, Egypt, ForeignAssistance.gov, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, – Israel

CNN —The House speakership drama enters a new week under increased urgency as Israel declared war Sunday following unprecedented surprise attacks by Hamas. Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster as speaker leaves the House in uncharted legal territory regarding what it can do under acting Speaker Patrick McHenry. As the Biden administration looks to provide additional assistance to Israel, officials were unsure Saturday about what could be accomplished without a sitting speaker. As Jordan and Scalise vie for their colleagues’ support, Jordan said Sunday that he would lay out his plan to address the government funding deadline to his caucus Tuesday. “We’ve got to have 218 votes for a Republican speaker, and we’ve got to have 218 votes for how we deal with November 17 when the funding bill for the government comes due.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy’s, Patrick McHenry, Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, CNN’s Dana, Mike McCaul, Bash, ” McCaul, ” McCarthy, McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, Kevin Hern, “, Jordan, Scalise, “ We’ve, we’ve, ”, ” Jordan Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, Democratic, White, National Security, Union, Foreign, The Texas Republican, Saturday, Fox, Ohio, Jordan . Oklahoma Rep, ”, Republicans, Sunday, Fox News Locations: Israel, Washington, McHenry, recessing, “ State, Louisiana, Jordan, Scalise

☆ Controversial Egypt aid held by new Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s new chairman is going to block a controversial tranche of military aid for Egypt, he announced Saturday. Sen. Ben Cardin’s last-minute decision on the day of the September 30 deadline followed backlash over the State Department’s recent decision to use a national security waiver to bypass human rights-related restrictions imposed on $235 million in aid. The block comes after the committee’s previous chairman, Sen. Bob Menendez, was indicted on corruption charges over accusations that he accepted bribes to help Egypt obtain military aid. Critics, including Cardin, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken should not have released the $235 million balance on the $320 million tranche of military aid. The White House referred questions to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Persons: Sen, Ben Cardin’s, Bob Menendez, ” Cardin, Cardin, ”, Antony Blinken, Cardin’s, Abdel Fattah el Organizations: CNN, Relations, State, New, New Jersey Democrat, Maryland Democrat, Biden, State Department Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Maryland, Taiwan, Lebanon

☆ US, Poland Sign $2 Billion Defense Loan Agreement, State Dept. Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - The United States has signed a $2 billion direct loan agreement to support Poland's defense modernization program, the State Department said on Monday. THE TAKEThe foreign military financing deal advances the two countries' defense cooperation as Poland seeks to boost its armed forces following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. CONTEXTPoland is a top U.S. ally and has topped NATO's spending charts this year. The military alliance has forecast Poland pouring 3.9% of gross domestic product into military goals, almost twice NATO's current 2% target. BY THE NUMBERSThe U.S. will provide $60 million for the cost of the $2 billion loan, which will be used to help pay for Poland's defense modernization program with weapons purchases from the U.S., the State Department said.

Persons: Brendan O'Brien, Caitlin Webber, Rami Ayyub Organizations: Reuters, United, State Department Locations: United States, Poland, Ukraine, U.S, Chicago

Menendez serves as the powerful chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. And as chairman, he had unique influence over foreign military sales and foreign military financing. The State Department typically seeks the input of the chairperson and top minority senator on the Foreign Relations panel when it comes to foreign military financing and foreign military sales, and the department generally will not go forward if one of the two senators objects. Hana is a friend of Nadine Menendez and the Egyptian-American founder of a business that certifies beef imported into Egypt meets Islamic religious standards. “Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes,” Nadine Menendez texted her husband, along with a heart emoji.

Persons: — Democratic U.S . Sen, Bob Menendez, Egypt —, Menendez, ”, Nadine, “, Prosecutors, Nadine Arslania, David Schertler, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Nadine Menendez, He's, Hana, Uribe, ” Nadine Menendez, Hana's, Salomon Melgen, Melgen, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, Sen, Ben Cardin, Schumer, Phil Murphy Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Democratic U.S ., Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Embassy, The State Department, Foreign Relations, U.S . House, Strategic International Business Consultants LLC, -, New, Daibes, Senate, New Jersey voters, Republican, NEXT, Democratic, While New, While New Jersey Gov Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Jersey, U.S, Cairo, Union City , New Jersey, Edgewater , New Jersey, Florida, Dominican Republic, Paris, Washington, D, While, While New Jersey

☆ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with senators at the U.S. Capitol
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Julie Tsirkin | Summer Concepcion | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit the Capitol and meet with senators on Thursday, a Senate leadership aide told NBC News. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will host an all-senators meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday at 10 a.m. More from NBC News:Zelenskyy is also expected to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, a person familiar with the plans previously told NBC News. "I hope we finally have put to bed the notion about whether or not Ukraine is welcome in NATO. It is an investment in global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way," he told U.S. lawmakers.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Zelenskyy, Kevin McCarthy's, Joe Biden, Biden, Antony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: Capitol, NBC News, NBC, White, United Nations General Assembly, Zelenskyy, NATO, State Department, U.S Locations: Ky, New York City, U.S, Ukrainian, Vilnius, Lithuania, Ukraine, Kyiv, United States

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 15 (Reuters) - China will impose sanctions against U.S. aerospace and defence firms Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) for providing weapons to Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday. The sanctions are being enacted under China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing. Mao named Lockheed Martin Corp's branch in Missouri as the prime contractor that was directly involved in an arms sale to Taiwan on Aug. 24 and said Northrop Grumman has repeatedly participated in the sale of weapons to Taiwan. Taiwan has also reported dozens of Chinese fighters, bombers and other aircraft flying into its air defence zone this week. China's wide-ranging law to counter foreign sanctions came into force in 2021 in an apparent move to legalise tit-for-tat retaliation against punitive actions taken by foreign countries.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Northrop, Lockheed Martin, Mao Ning, Mao, Northrop Grumman, Joe Biden, Joe Cash, Liz Lee, Kim Coghill, Christian Organizations: Lockheed, Japan Aerospace, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Northrop Grumman, China's, Foreign, Thomson Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Rights BEIJING, China, Taiwan, U.S, Missouri, China . U.S, Shandong, Taiwan's, Beijing

The administration said it would redirect $55 million worth of that funding to Taiwan and $30 million to Lebanon, the sources said. However, the administration will allow Cairo to access $235 million of the total of $320 million in foreign military financing that is conditioned on human rights issues, a senior State Department official said Thursday. The US provides more than $1 billion in foreign military financing to Egypt and the vast majority of it is not conditional. “Our position on the very serious human rights situation in Egypt absolutely has not changed and we’re going to continue to raise those issues in Egypt consistently and at the most senior levels,” they added. “The Secretary is determined that Egypt has not fulfilled his conditions and therefore we are reprogramming that 85 million,” the official said.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken “, ”, Antony Blinken, “, Gregory Meeks Organizations: CNN, State Department, Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, House Foreign, Administration Locations: Egypt, Taiwan, Lebanon, Cairo, U.S, China

☆ US approves first-ever military aid to Taiwan through program typically used for sovereign nations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Biden administration has approved funding for the first-ever transfer of US military equipment to Taiwan under a program typically saved for sovereign nations, according to a notification sent to Congress on Tuesday. The package – which is part of the State Department’s foreign military financing (FMF) program – totals $80 million and will be paid for by US taxpayers. The US has sold weapons to Taiwan in the past through a separate program called Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The FMF program will provide grant assistance, paid for by US taxpayers, to Taiwan in order to make those purchases. “I am glad the administration is further implementing our bipartisan Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act by finally providing FMF to Taiwan.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, “, Michael McCaul, ” McCaul Organizations: CNN, State, State Department, Taiwan Relations Act, US, Pentagon, Foreign, Taiwan Enhanced Locations: Taiwan, China, United States, Taiwan Strait

Taiwanese flags are seen at the Ministry of National Defence of Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan, December 26, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has approved a military transfer to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program normally used for sovereign states, according to a notification sent to Congress. The Taiwan notification was first reported by the Associated Press. FMF, the largest military assistance account managed by the State Department, provides primarily grant assistance to foreign governments for the purchase of U.S. defense equipment and military training under the Foreign Military Sales program. The United States, Taiwan's most important arms supplier, last month announced a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to $345 million.

Persons: Ann Wang, Joe Biden's, Michael McCaul, McCaul, FMF, Patricia Zengerle, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Ministry of National Defence, REUTERS, Rights, Foreign, Reuters, Associated Press, Representatives Foreign, Chinese Communist Party, State Department, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing, Washington, China, United States, U.S

☆ Slovakia gets U.S. helicopter offer after sending jets to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Bell helicopter Ah-1Z Viper helicopter is seen outside a hall at the 30th International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland September 5, 2022. REUTERS/Kacper PempelMarch 22 (Reuters) - The United States has offered to sell Slovakia 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters at a two-thirds discount after Bratislava sent its retired MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Wednesday. Last week it became the second of Ukraine's allies, after Poland, to provide fighter jets, which Kyiv believes are crucial to repel Russia's year-long invasion. Alongside the offer of U.S. equipment, Slovakia will receive 250 million euros ($269 million) in European Union compensation, Nad said. Nad said the helicopter offer was partly due to its support for neighbour Ukraine and also indirect compensation for the delayed delivery of F-16 fighter jets which the country ordered in 2018 that are now due to arrive in 2024.

That money was to be given in $2 billion annual installments of Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, grants over five years. Republicans accused Biden's administration of failing to advocate strongly enough for the Taiwan grants, given that his fellow Democrats controlled both the Senate and House last year. "Securing FMF funding is always a challenge given the tight budget constraints, even for priority partners like Taiwan," said Eric Lee of the Project 2049 Institute think tank. "I would prefer to see a revival of FMF grants, but with clear strings attached," said Michael Hunzeker, a Taiwan military expert at George Mason University. Grants to buy specific weapons could be made on condition of Taiwan showing further moves toward asymmetric defense, he said.

☆ U.S. Republicans ask Biden to boost Taiwan in his budget request
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Patricia Zengerle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Stephen LamWASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The top Republicans on U.S. congressional foreign affairs and armed services committees pressed Democratic President Joe Biden on Thursday to include $2 billion in military assistance grants for Taiwan in his upcoming budget request. Congressional aides said they expect Biden to release the budget on March 9. They stressed the need to support Taiwan, an independently ruled island that China views as a breakaway province. Congress late last year overwhelmingly approved legislation authorizing $10 billion - or $2 billion per year for five years - of annual FMF grants for Taiwan. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

☆ U.S. announces over $3.75 billion in new military assistance to Ukraine, other countries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - The United States will provide more than $3.75 billion in military assistance to Ukraine and countries affected by the Russian invasion of its neighbor, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday. That authority allows the United States to transfer defense items like Humvees, trucks and munitions from stocks quickly without congressional approval in response to an emergency. RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, used for air defense, will also be sent to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has stressed the need for better air defenses to curb Russian missile strikes that have damaged the country's energy infrastructure during winter. The United States and Germany have also pledged to send Patriot missile systems to repel Russian missile and drone attacks.

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