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☆ The Red Sea crisis tests China’s global ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

China’s responseThe Houthi rebels in Yemen started firing missiles and drones at ships in the Red Sea in mid-November, in what they say is an act of solidarity with Palestinians. Chinese officials repeatedly stressed that the Red Sea crisis is a “spillover” from the conflict in Gaza, citing an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the top priority. Beijing’s reluctance to wade into the Red Sea crisis reflects these geopolitical calculations. The Chinese government readout of the meeting between Wang and Sullivan did not mention the Red Sea. Egypt is losing millions of dollars per day from the reduced traffic at the Suez Canal at the northern end of the Red Sea.

Persons: Houthi, “, ”, Mordechai Chaziza, Xi Jinping, Israel, ” Chaziza, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Iran ”, we’re, Wang, Sullivan, Ebrahim Raisi, Yan Yan, OOCL, Kuehne + Nagel, Jonathan Fulton, “ can’t, ” Fulton, William Figueroa, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ashkelon Academic College, Beijing, Iran, People’s Liberation Army Navy, Britain, United Nations Security Council, Global, Western, Chinese Foreign, White House, Reuters, Chinese Foreign Ministry, China, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Atlantic Council, University of Groningen, Xi’s Global Security Initiative, GSI, Hamas Locations: Hong Kong, Red, Israel, Ashkelon, United States, China, Europe, Yemen, Gulf, Aden, Djibouti, Beijing, Gaza, Bangkok, Iran, Tehran, Africa, Switzerland, Francisco, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Suez, Sea, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands

☆ 'The shooting has to stop': World's biggest shipping company pleads with Congress to help end Houthi Red Sea chaos
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Ralby stressed the crisis in the Red Sea is not just a U.S. problem, but recent attacks by the U.S. military have led to greater targeting of its vessels. After those attacks, Maersk announced it would no longer be transiting the Red Sea. MSC announced on December 17 that it would divert its services that would typically transit the Red Sea and the Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea adds one to two weeks to a one-way shipping journey relative to the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Rising freight costs were a big component of inflation during Covid and the Red Sea crisis has renewed fears that another bout of supply chain-triggered inflation could occur.

Persons: Ralby, Ian Ralby, Darr, Charles, Bud, Salud Carbajal, Biden, Hapag Lloyd, Bab, Good Hope, Jon Gold, Phillips, Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, Gold Organizations: U.S, Mediterranean Shipping Company, U.S . Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Transportation, MSC, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Maersk, Maersk Detroit, Maersk Chesapeake, Navy, Intelligence, Suzuki, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, National Retail Federation, Bank of America, Van Heusen Corporation, Birkenstock, Capri Holdings, Nike, Corp Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, Yemen, U.S, Iran, Gulf, Aden, Maersk, Good, Europe's, Asia, Europe, Vietnam

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Europe’s economy failed to expand at the end of 2023, with the stagnation now lasting for more than a year amid higher energy prices, costlier credit and lagging growth in powerhouse Germany. Zero economic growth for the October-to-December period of last year follows a 0.1% contraction in the three months before that, according to figures released Tuesday by EU statistics agency Eurostat. That extends a miserable run of economic blahs: The 20 countries that use the euro currency have not shown significant growth since the third quarter of 2022, when the economy grew 0.5%. With higher shipping costs and delays to products from clothes to keyboard components, concerns are growing of new consumer price spikes if the conflict in Gaza drags on or escalates. The trade disruption could add as much as 0.5% to core inflation, which excludes volatile fuel and food prices, Oxford Economics said.

Persons: ”, Holger Schmieding, Yemen's Houthi Organizations: EU, Eurostat, European Central Bank, Oxford Economics, ECB, Hamas, Oxford Locations: FRANKFURT, Germany, Suez, Asia, Europe, Berenberg, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Red, Africa, Gaza

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden told reporters Tuesday he has made a decision about the US response to the drone strike that killed three US service members and injured dozens in Jordan. Asked by CNN’s Arlette Saenz whether he has decided how to respond, Biden said, “Yes,” but declined to provide further details. Along with the three US Army soldiers who were killed, more than 40 other service members were injured in the drone attack. Biden had warned in a statement shortly after the drone attack that the US will respond in a “time and manner of our choosing” as he weighs how to deter future attacks without escalating the conflict. Biden said he holds Iran responsible for the attack, which CNN has reported was carried out by suspected Iranian proxy forces.

Persons: Joe Biden, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, Biden, “, ” Biden, ” John Kirby, Biden “, ” Kirby, Kirby, Sen, Lindsey Graham, ” Organizations: Washington CNN, Administration, Dover Air Force Base, National Security Council, Air Force One, US Army, US, CNN, Navy Locations: Jordan, Gaza, Israel, Florida, American, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Tehran

☆ Iran shows it can unleash its own deadly drone war against US troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. In its Sunday attack on a US outpost in Jordan, Iran and its militia allies showed they have the suicide drone technology to defeat US air defenses. The drone struck Tower 22 near Jordan's border with Syria, killing three US service personnel and injuring over 40 . Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERSSunday's attack wasn't the first time these militias have used such drones against American troops. Advertisement"The drone was deployed at the same time as a returning US military drone, allowing it to approach undetected," Rogers said.

Persons: —, James Rogers, Arash Azizi, Azizi, Houthis, Rogers, IRGC, Qassem, Soleimani, Samad, Biden, Ceng Sagnic, Sagnic Organizations: Service, Business, White, of, Clemson University, Iran's, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Planet Labs, Handout, REUTERS, Force, TAM, C Locations: Jordan, Iran, Jordan's, Syria, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Tehran, Yemen, Lebanon, Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, Baghdad

☆ Biden has to deal with a second war he didn’t want. His task is to contain it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

— Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian group based in Lebanon, has been waging a low-grade war against Israel. — Iran has blamed Israel for an attack that killed a number of Revolutionary Guard officers in Damascus, Syria. Hawkish Republicans like South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham are demanding he attack Iran on Iranian soil. “The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East. And on a purely strategic level, risking a major Middle East war that could cause massive US casualties to avenge the deaths of three soldiers, as terrible as their deaths are, would not represent a sound equation.

Persons: they're, Joe Biden —, Jordan Sunday –, Biden, haven’t, —, Israel, it’s, Antony Blinken, ” Aaron David Miller, CNN’s Jim Acosta, “, ”, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Nikki Haley, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Jim Himes, what’s, CNN’s Oren Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis, Blinken, CNN’s Alex Marquardt, Joe Biden, Arkansas Sen, Tom Cotton, Haley, Qasem Soleimani, Trump, John Kirby, It’s Biden Organizations: Republicans, White House CNN, Jordan Sunday, Hezbollah, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Britain, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Revolutionary Guard, ”, GOP, Rep, Intelligence, Islamic, United Nations, –, Iran Locations: Washington, Tehran, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, United States, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, —, Syria, Baghdad, Beirut, Lebanon –, Damascus, East, South Carolina, Connecticut, Hamas, Qatar, Egypt, Islamic Republic, Arkansas, There’s

BERLIN (AP) — Efforts to fight public sector corruption are faltering around the world, in part because a “global decline in justice and the rule of law since 2016," according to a corruption index released Tuesday. Transparency International, which compiles the annual Corruption Perceptions Index, found 23 countries at their worst level since the global ranking began almost three decades ago, including both high-ranking democracies and authoritarian states. The global average was unchanged at 43 for the 12th consecutive year, and more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50. Arab countries’ average score on the index hit an all-time low of 34, and sub-Saharan Africa remained stagnant at 33. Transparency International said that the government's “pervasive control of public institutions facilitates the widespread abuse of power without accountability" while judicial independence is eroding.

Persons: ”, François Valérian, party's Organizations: BERLIN, Transparency, World Bank, Economic, European Union Locations: Iceland, Netherlands, Sweden, Britain, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, United States, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, North Korea, Nicaragua, Asia, Pacific, Latin America, Caribbean, Saharan Africa, Europe, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine

☆ Qatar Hopes US Retaliation Won't Undercut Hostage Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Qatar's prime minister on Monday said he hoped U.S. retaliation for an attack that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan would not undercut progress toward a new Israel-Hamas hostage release deal in weekend talks. According to Israel, some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in the attack, which sparked Israel's war to eliminate Hamas. In a major escalation, three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on U.S. troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrianborder, U.S. officials said on Sunday. Speaking at Washington's Atlantic Council think tank, the Qatari prime minister said U.S. retaliation "will definitely have an impact ... One way or another it will definitely have an impact on regional security and we hope things get contained." (Reporting by Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed and Andrew Mills; Editing by Ros Russell)

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin, al, William Burns, Sheikh Mohammed, Joe Biden, Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed, Andrew Mills, Ros Russell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Qatari, CIA, Israel, Yemen's, Washington's Atlantic Council Locations: Jordan, Israel, al Thani, Washington, Iran, Qatar, United States, Gaza, East, Yemen's Iran, Red, U.S, Syrian

☆ Biden’s Options Range From Unsatisfying to Risky After American Deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( David E. Sanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But the options range from the unsatisfying to the highly risky. Mr. Biden could order strikes on the proxy forces, a major escalation of the whack-a-mole attacks it has conducted in recent weeks in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. So far, those attacks have put a dent into the abilities of the Iranian-backed groups that have mounted more than 160 attacks. His first targets could well be members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, many of whom are based in Syria and Iraq. In short, it would force Mr. Biden to do everything he has been trying so far to avoid.

Persons: Biden, Mr, Qassim Suleimani Organizations: Sunday, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force Locations: Jordan, Tehran, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, United States, Iran

☆ UKMTO Says Merchant Vessel Approached by 'Three Small Craft' West of Yemen's Al-Mukha
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) -The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation said on Monday a merchant vessel was suspiciously approached by three small craft, 44 nautical miles west of Yemen's Al-Mukha. "Master reports merchant vessel was approached on its starboard bow by 3 small craft, the 3 small craft regrouped astern with a closest point of approach of 1NM," UKMTO said in an advisory note. The merchant vessel's security team fired warning shots to deter the small craft, and the vessel then proceeded safely to the next port of call, the organisation added. The Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched waves of exploding drones and missiles at vessels since Nov. 19 in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines have responded to the Houthi attacks with dozens of retaliatory strikes across Yemen against Houthi forces.

Persons: UKMTO, Hatem Maher, Christina Fincher Organizations: Reuters, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, British, Houthi Locations: Yemen's, Iran, Gaza . U.S, Yemen

The enemy drone followed the American drone as it approached, but it is not clear whether the enemy drone intentionally followed the American one or if it was a coincidence, one of the officials said. US officials are also still assessing the enemy drone’s point of origin. The Wall Street Journal first reported the confusion over the enemy drone. A US official told CNN that there have been six attacks since Friday, including Sunday’s drone attack and a multi-rocket attack on Patrol Base Shaddadi in Syria on Monday morning. The consensus is that an Iran-backed militia group is behind the deadly drone attack, though the US is still working to determine which group specifically is responsible.

Persons: Syria —, John Kirby, CNN’s Phil Mattingly, White, “, ” Kirby, weren’t, ”, Jens Stoltenberg, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, ” Stoltenberg, Austin’s, Biden, Tehran . Sen, Roger Wicker, Sen, Tom Cotton Organizations: CNN, Army, Sunday, Street Journal, Regional Medical Center, Patrol Base Shaddadi, National Security, Kataib Hezbollah, Revolutionary Guard, Pentagon, NATO, Republicans, Republican, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Jordan, American, Germany, East, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Congress, Tehran .

☆ Pentagon says it is not seeking war with Iran after Jordan attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We certainly don't seek a war and frankly we don't see Iran wanting to seek a war with the United States," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters. She added that the Pentagon believed Iran did not want a war either. Two officials said a U.S. drone was approaching the base around the same time the attack drone was incoming. One of the officials said the attack drone was also flying low, factors that may have contributed to it being missed by base defenses. "Iran continues to destabilize the region, this includes backing terrorists who attack our ships in the Red Sea," Stoltenberg said.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Austin, Biden, Sabrina Singh, John Kirby, Breonna Alexsondria, Stoltenberg Organizations: NATO, U.S, State Department, U.S . Defense, Monday, Sunday, Pentagon, House, Army Reserve, Austin Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Jordan, Iran, Israel, United States, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Red

☆ Photos show US carrier's nighttime missions to counter Houthi rebels
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The US and UK launched airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen earlier this month. The strikes were in retaliation to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea. AdvertisementThe US and UK launched a series of airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen earlier this month. Despite the strikes, Houthi rebels continued to attack commercial shipping vessels. Photos and video footage show the flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, ahead of the intense strikes.

Persons: —, Houthi, Dwight D, Eisenhower Organizations: US, UK, Service, Houthi, New York Times Locations: Yemen, Red, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Netherlands

☆ Iraq Condemns Deadly Attack on U.S. Troops in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The United States has accused Iran-backed militant groups in Syria and Iraq of carrying out the attack, the first deadly blow against U.S. forces since the eruption of the Gaza war touched off violence across the Middle East. Iran-aligned groups have been waging attacks against Israeli and U.S. targets from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria, since their Palestinian ally Hamas and Israel went to war on Oct. 7. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organisation of hardline Iran-backed militant groups, on Sunday claimed attacks on three bases, including one on the Jordan-Syria border. Baghdad has condemned the attacks while also saying regional escalation would continue as long as the Gaza war went on. The attack took place one day after Iraq and the United States initiated talks on the end of a U.S.-led international military coalition that deployed to Iraq a decade ago as part of the campaign against Islamic State.

Persons: Basim Alawadi, Israel, Tala, Tom Perry, Timour, Nick Macfie Organizations: United, U.S, Sunday, Islamic Locations: BAGHDAD, Iraqi, Jordan, United States, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Gaza, Jordanian, U.S, Lebanon, Yemen, Hamas, Western, Baghdad, Islamic State

CNN —The three US soldiers killed in the drone attack on a US military outpost in Jordan were identified Monday as Sgt. US Army Reserve Command, APSingh said more than 40 were injured in the attack, a number that could possibly continue to increase. The enemy drone also flew low, which may have allowed it to evade the base’s air defenses, officials said. A US official told CNN that there have been six attacks since Friday, including Sunday’s drone attack and a multi-rocket attack on Patrol Base Shaddadi in Syria on Monday morning. The consensus is that an Iran-backed militia group is behind the deadly drone attack, though the US is still working to determine which group specifically is responsible.

Persons: William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, Sabrina Singh, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, AP Singh, Singh, Syria —, John Kirby, CNN’s Phil Mattingly, White, “, ” Kirby, weren’t, ” Singh, ”, Jens Stoltenberg, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin Organizations: CNN, Defense Department, 718th Engineer Company, US Army Reserve, Pentagon, US Army Reserve Command, Spc, Breonna, AP, Baghdad Diplomatic Support, Regional Medical Center, US, Patrol Base Shaddadi, National Security, Kataib Hezbollah, Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah, NATO Locations: Jordan, Carrollton , Georgia, Waycross , Georgia, Savannah , Georgia, Fort Moore , Georgia, Baghdad, Landstuhl, American, East, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon

☆ A Drone Mix-Up Was Cited in the Deaths of 3 U.S. Troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. air defenses at a remote military outpost in Jordan failed to stop a deadly drone attack yesterday because it arrived at the same time that an American drone was returning to base, American officials said. Three U.S. service members died in the strike, the first known American military deaths in the conflict that has spilled over from the Israel-Hamas war. The returning American craft prompted confusion over whether the hostile drone — which U.S. officials said had the “footprints of Kataib Hezbollah,” an Iran-affiliated group in Iraq — was friendly, and air defenses were not immediately activated. The drone landed near the living quarters of Tower 22, an American resupply base in northeast Jordan near Syria and Iraq. President Biden, who has vowed to retaliate, could order strikes on Iran’s proxy forces, a major escalation of the attacks he has already conducted in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Persons: William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Alexsondria Moffett, ”, Iraq —, Biden Organizations: U.S, Pentagon, Hezbollah Locations: Jordan, American, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen

☆ Widening Mideast Crisis U.S. Blames Iran-Backed Militia for Deaths of 3 Soldiers in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

The attack happened at a remote logistics outpost in northeast Jordan called Tower 22 where the borders of Syria, Iraq and Jordan converge. The Pentagon declined to identify the service members who died or their units pending notification of family members. Central Command said it expected the number of injured to “fluctuate” as additional service members sought treatment. It was the latest in at least 164 strikes by Iran-backed militias against U.S. troops in Syria, Iraq and Jordan since the Oct. 7 attacks. It turned out to be a dud, but several service members would most likely have been injured or killed had it exploded, a senior military official said.

Persons: Biden, —, Mr, “, ”, Lloyd J, Austin III, ” Mr, Austin, Yemen —, Gen, Charles Q, Brown Jr, General Brown, Al, Charles Lister, Jordan, Al Tanf, Syria’s, Roger Wicker of Organizations: U.S, Hamas, ”, Pentagon, Command, Central Command, Resistance, Hezbollah, Joint Chiefs of Staff, ABC, Navy, Sunday, Army, Air Force, United, Operations, Middle East Institute, American, Troops, The Defense Department, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base, Congressional Republicans, Republican, Armed Services Committee Locations: Jordan, Iran, Syria, Iraq, U.S, Israel, Columbia, United States, Lebanese, Yemen, Aden, Gaza, Erbil, Red, Al Tanf, Islamic State, Azraq, Washington, Jordanian, Baghdad, Damascus, Tehran, Lebanon, Al, Al Asad Air, Roger Wicker of Mississippi

The US has in recent months carried out several strikes targeting Iranian proxies’ weapons depots in Iraq and Syria. To date, none of those strikes have deterred the militants, whose 165 attacks have injured over 120 US service members across the region since October. ‘We don’t seek a war with Iran’Still, striking Iran is one of the least likely options at this point, officials said. We’re not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East,” John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, told CNN on Monday. Tehran has watched as anti-US and anti-Israel protests swept across the Middle East after the Israel-Hamas war started.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Mark Hertling, “, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Harakat, “ We’re, We’re, ” John Kirby, they’ve, ” Sabrina Singh, Jon Alterman, ” Alterman Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, National Security Council, Middle East, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Iran’s, American, Lebanon, Yemen, Tehran, United States, “, Israel, Russia, China

☆ Iran may not have been seeking to trigger a regional war with the drone strike that killed 3 US troops, say experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Tom Porter | ) 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. Read previewThe Middle East appeared to have moved closer to a regional war on Sunday after three US troops were killed and dozens more were injured in an attack on a US base in Jordan. The drone attack was launched by the Islamic Resistance, an Iran-backed militia based in Iraq. It seemed to many analysts to signify an escalation in Iran's aggression toward the US and its allies in the region. However, several experts are warning against such a conclusion, claiming that Iran may not have been seeking to trigger an escalation in the conflict.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Tobias Borck, Greg Brew, wasn't, Borck, Jordan, Biden, Robert Dover, Dover Organizations: Service, Business, Islamic, Royal United Services Institute, Eurasia Group, New York Times, CBS, University of Hull Locations: Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Gaza, Israel's, Yemen, Red, Tehran

☆ Oil jumps 1% after Houthis attack on fuel tanker in Red Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A lone pumpjack located in the middle of a large solar array outside of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. Oil prices jumped 1% on Monday on fuel supply concerns after a missile struck a Trafigura-operated fuel tanker in the Red Sea and as Russian refined products exports are set to fall as several refineries are under repair after drone attacks. Brent crude futures climbed 83 cents to $84.38 a barrel by 2341 GMT after hitting a session-high of $84.80. "Disruptions to supply have been limited, but that changed on Friday after an oil tanker operating on behalf of Trafigura was hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen," ANZ analysts said in a note. "With oil tankers linked to the U.S. and UK now under threat of attack, the market is likely to reprice the risk of disruptions."

Persons: Brent, Trafigura, Yemen's Organizations: . West Texas, Commodities, ANZ, Middle, Organization of, Petroleum Locations: Bakersfield, Kern County , California, Yemen, Middle East, Russia, OPEC

☆ Biden faces demands from Republicans in Congress to strike Iran after U.S. troop deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Kevin Dietsch | Getty ImagesCongressional lawmakers are demanding President Joe Biden strike Iran after three U.S. troops were killed Sunday night in Jordan in a drone strike claimed by the Islamic Resistance of Iraq, an Iranian-backed militia group. Iran has not commented on the attack, while Jordan's government denied it took place on its soil. "I am calling on the Biden Administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said in a statement. Elmurod Usubaliev | Anadolu | Getty ImagesThe attack marks another regional escalation in a war that the Biden administration has tried to contain. Meanwhile, Lebanese Shia militia group Hezbollah and Israel are exchanging fire along the Israeli-Lebanese border, while Iran earlier this month struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan.

Persons: Lindsey Graham, Kevin Dietsch, Joe Biden, Republican Sen, Roger Wicker, Biden, Elmurod, Helima Croft Organizations: Sen, U.S, Capitol, Getty, Islamic, Hamas, Biden Administration, Republican, Senate Armed Services Committee, Anadolu, Lebanese Hezbollah, RBC Capital Markets Locations: Washington , DC, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Iranian, U.S, Israel, Ankara, Turkiye, Yemeni, Gaza, Israel's, Yemen, Lebanese, Syria, Pakistan, Iraqi, United States

☆ Political Pressure Builds on Biden to Strike Iran After US Deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

That allowed Biden the political space to mete out U.S. retaliation, inflicting costs on Iran-backed forces without risking a direct war with Tehran. Republicans accused Biden of letting American forces become sitting ducks, waiting for the day when a drone or missile would evade base defenses. In response, they say Biden must strike Iran. "The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East." "Unless the U.S. prepared for an all out war, what does attacking Iran get us," the official said.

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, he's, Biden, Tom Cotton, Mike Rogers, they've, Rogers, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Barbara Lee, Seth Moulton, —, Moulton, Jonathan Lord, Lord, Charles Lister, Lister, Israel, Qassem Soleimani, Simon Lewis, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: Republican U.S, Republican, U.S, Representatives, Tehran, Biden, Democratic, Iranian, Center, New, East Institute, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Israel, Jordan's, Tehran, United States, Gaza, New American, Washington, U.S, Damascus, Jan

☆ Opinion: The US is in the midst of a Middle East regional war
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration has a regional war on its hands in the Middle East and needs to change its strategy fast. ·Almost daily Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and almost daily Hezbollah strikes against Israeli targets. ·Multiple Israeli strikes against Iran-linked Syrian targets. ·Pakistan strike against Iranian targets, and Iran strike against Pakistani targets. The options to retaliate for President Biden are complicated, since he does not want to widen the conflict further.

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, Osama bin Laden, CNN —, Biden, Jimmy Carter, Camp David Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Pakistan, Hamas, ISIS, Camp Locations: New America, Jordan, Israel, Gaza, Red, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Iranian, Pakistan, Egypt

☆ White House Calls Talks on Hamas Hostage Deal Constructive, Promising
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Monday that talks to secure a new release of hostages held by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza were constructive and promising but there was still a lot of work to be done. "I think it's fair to describe them as constructive," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on CNN. That could really make a difference in terms of getting more hostages out, getting more aid in and actually getting the violence to come down." "But we feel pretty good about the discussions and where they're going and the promise of something potentially pretty significant. "Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in Hamas' cross-border rampage on Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.

Persons: William Burns, Brett McGurk, John Kirby, Joe Biden, Burns, Kirby, We're, Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Mark Heinrich Organizations: WASHINGTON, Palestinian, Hamas, CIA, U.S . Middle East, House, CNN, Israel, Yemen's Locations: Gaza, U.S, Israel, East, Yemen's Iran, Red, Iran, Jordan, Syrian

☆ Three US Service Members Killed, 34 Wounded in Jordan Drone Attack Linked to Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Kanishka Singh and Phil StewartWASHINGTON (Reuters) -Three U.S. service members were killed and dozens wounded during an unmanned aerial drone attack on U.S. forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, President Joe Biden and U.S. officials said on Sunday. Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack. The deaths marked the first fatalities of U.S. troops in the region since war began in Gaza. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Phil Stewart in WashingtonEditing by Heather Timmons and Matthew Lewis)

Persons: Kanishka Singh, Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Phil Stewart, Heather Timmons, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S, Sunday, Reuters, Hamas, White Locations: U.S, Jordan, Syrian, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Iranian, Gaza, Israel, United States, Washington, Red, WashingtonEditing

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