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

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

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

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

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

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

☆ US Secretary of Defense Austin: US will 'stand with Ukraine'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks on as he attends the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Nov 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on Monday for a visit, he said on the X social media platform. "I'm here today to deliver an important message – the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future." The visit comes amid increasing division over Ukraine aid in the U.S. legislature. A joint Ukraine-U.S. military industry conference in Washington is due to take place next month.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Willy Kurniawan, Max Hunder, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Defense, ASEAN Defense Ministers, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Kyiv, United States, Ukraine, U.S, Washington

☆ Defense secretary Austin arrives in Kyiv in surprise visit meant to reemphasize support for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on Monday, in a surprise trip to Ukraine to reemphasize the US’ support for the embattled country amid other pressing challenges abroad. “The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is the United States of America is with you,” Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. What happened here in Ukraine – that not only matters to Ukraine but it matters to the rest of the world. A senior defense official said Austin intended to speak with Ukrainians about their requirements for security assistance. There’s probably nothing more important than that.”Austin’s trip comes just days before he will host the 17th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, virtually from the Pentagon.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, Austin, Ukraine’s, Israel’s, Sabrina Singh, ” Organizations: CNN, Defense, Defense Department, Hamas, Pentagon, Ukraine, Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine Defense Contact Group Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, United States, America, United States of America, ”, Russia

☆ US Secretary of Defense Austin: US Will 'Stand With Ukraine'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

KYIV (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on Monday for a visit, he said on the X social media platform. "I'm here today to deliver an important message – the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future." The visit comes amid increasing division over Ukraine aid in the U.S. legislature. A joint Ukraine-U.S. military industry conference in Washington is due to take place next month. That event, due on Dec. 6 and 7, is intended to boost Ukraine's domestic arms production as its fight against a full-scale Russian invasion nears the two-year mark.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Max Hunder, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Defense Locations: Kyiv, United States, Ukraine, U.S, Washington

☆ Pentagon fails audit for sixth year in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The Pentagon failed an independent audit of its accounting systems for the sixth consecutive year, a Pentagon official said Wednesday. "Things are showing progress, but it's not enough," Mike McCord, the Defense Department's chief financial officer, told reporters. The Pentagon is striving for a "clean" audit but that is still years away, McCord said. To conduct the audit, 1,600 auditors conducted 700 site visits and assessed $3.8 trillion in assets and $4 trillion in liabilities, the Pentagon said. Required by law, the annual audit assesses the record-keeping processes for the Pentagon's weapons systems, military personnel and property around the world.

Persons: Mike McCord, Defense Lloyd Austin, McCord, Mike Stone, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Pentagon, Defense, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Washington

TAIWANThe two leaders had a "substantial" discussion on Taiwan, with Xi telling Biden that Taiwan was the biggest, most dangerous issue facing the two superpowers, a senior U.S. official told reporters. LEADER TO LEADER TALKSBiden said he and Xi agreed to high-level communications. "He and I agreed that each one of us can pick up the phone call directly and we'll be heard immediately," Biden told reporters after the meeting. China and the United States should set an example for other countries, Xi told Biden, according to Chinese media, and promote cooperation on trade, agriculture, climate change and artificial intelligence. FENTANYLBiden and Xi agreed to cooperate on addressing the source of the opioid fentanyl, a leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States, the U.S. official said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Kevin Lamarque, China's Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, Nancy Pelosi, Defense Lloyd Austin, we'll, Jeff Mason, Trevor Hunnicutt, Andrea Shalal, Heather Timmons, Stephen Coates Organizations: Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Defense, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, San Francisco, TAIWAN, Taiwan, China, Beijing, United States, IRAN, Iran

Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty ImagesBEIJING — U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to resume high-level military communication, according to both countries. China's Defense Ministry declined a call with its U.S. counterpart in early February after the discovery of an alleged Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace. The balloon incident delayed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's highly anticipated trip to China by more than four months. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will meet with his Chinese counterpart when the Chinese defense chief is selected, a senior Biden administration official told reporters after the Biden-Xi summit. A readout published by Chinese state media added the resumption of such military talks was "on the basis of equality and respect," according to a CNBC translation.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Brendan Smialowski, Biden, Antony Blinken's, Blinken, Li Shangfu, Defense Lloyd Austin, presser, China's, I'm, that's, Xi Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Afp, Getty, American, China's Defense, U.S, Defense, Biden, CNBC, Trade Locations: San Francisco, Asia, BEIJING, U.S, China, Taiwan, South, Philippines, Singapore, Pacific, Hawaii, Indonesia, Beijing

During his news conference following the summit, Biden summed up his approach to the Chinese leader. Xi at one point called on the United States to “not scheme to suppress or contain China,” Chinese state media reported. In the talks, Biden made clear to Xi that he viewed Hamas as separate from the Palestinians. As host of the meeting, Biden walked out of the building first to welcome Xi. Speaking after Biden, Xi offered starker view of US-China ties.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, “, ”, “ That’s, ” Biden, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Defense Lloyd Austin, we’ve, – Biden, Xi’s, readouts, ” Xi, I’ve, I’m, That’s, Wang Yi, they’d, Sullivan, Wang, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, John Kerry, –, Nikki Haley Organizations: California CNN, Biden, Defense, US, Xinhua, Hamas, Marine, China’s, American, South, Republicans Locations: Woodside, California, China, Washington, Beijing, United States, “, Taiwan, San Francisco, Israel, Iran, East, Europe, Blinken, South Carolina

☆ North Korea vows more offensive response to US 'threats' -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Song Kyung-Seok/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 16 (Reuters) - North Korea on Thursday criticised a recent visit to South Korea by top U.S. defence officials and vowed more "offensive" responses to what it called military threats from the United States and its allies, state media reported. During Austin's visit, South Korea and the United States revised a bilateral security agreement aimed at deterring North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats. South Korea's defence ministry said the revision was necessary because the existing strategy did not adequately address rapid advancements in North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. Austin's visit followed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to South Korea last week. North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, though their leaders pledged closer military cooperation at their September summit.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won, sik, Kyung, Defense Lloyd Austin's, Austin's, Antony Blinken's, Jin, Yoko Kamikawa, Soo, hyang Choi, Chris Reese, Cynthia Osterman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defense, South Korean Defense Minister, United Nations Command, UNC, Defense Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, DPRK, Democratic People's, United, Pentagon, U.S . State Department, U.S . Defense Security Cooperation Agency, South Korean Foreign, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Seoul, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, United States, Defense Lloyd Austin's Seoul, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Korea, Republic of, Russia, San Francisco

☆ South Korea's Yoon to warn APEC about risks from North Korea-Russia ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol gives a speech on the government budget at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, 31 October 2023. Washington has said North Korea is supplying military equipment to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, while Moscow is providing technical support to help North Korea advance its military capabilities. North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, though their leaders pledged closer military cooperation at their September summit. In San Francisco, Blinken held talks with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on Tuesday and vowed a coordinated response to the North Korea-Russia cooperation. South Korea and China are also in talks for a possible meeting between their leaders, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Persons: Yoon Suk, JEON HEON, Yoon, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Washington, Alexander Kozlov, Blinken, Fumio Kishida, Soo, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Stephen Coates Organizations: South, National Assembly, Rights, APEC, Economic Cooperation, Associated Press, U.S, Defense, China, Economic, Japanese, Stanford University, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, United States, North Korea, Russia, San Francisco, Gaza, Ukraine, Moscow, Korea, Russian, Pyongyang, China

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends a welcome ceremony before an annual security meeting with South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik at the Defence Ministry in Seoul, South Korea on November 13, 2023. Washington has accused North Korea of supplying military equipment to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, and Moscow of providing technical military support to help the North. "If the countries that backed North Korea during the Korean War ever try to help again, then those countries will also receive grave punishment from the international community along with North Korea." China and North Korea are parties to the armistice with the UNC. The defence chiefs also agreed to step up joint drills and cooperate with Japan to deter and better prepare for any North Korean attack.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won, sik, JUNG YEON, Lloyd Austin, Austin, We're, Shin Won, Shin, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defense, South Korean Defence Minister, Defence Ministry, Rights, . Defense, . Command, UNC, Security, Democratic People's, DPRK, ., Defence, Korean, United Nations, Command, Soviet Union, U.N, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, China, Russia, North Korea, Pyongyang, People's Republic of China, North, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Washington, Ukraine, Moscow, . North Korea, Russia's, North Korea's, Soviet, United States, Britain, Australia, Turkey, U.S, Austin, Japan

☆ South Korea's Yoon to Warn APEC About Risks From North Korea-Russia Ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Yoon has criticised what he called illegal cooperation between North Korea and Russia, describing it as a "serious threat" to regional security in an interview with the Associated Press this week. Washington has said North Korea is supplying military equipment to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, while Moscow is providing technical support to help North Korea advance its military capabilities. North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, though their leaders pledged closer military cooperation at their September summit. In San Francisco, Blinken held talks with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on Tuesday and vowed a coordinated response to the North Korea-Russia cooperation. South Korea and China are also in talks for a possible meeting between their leaders, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Persons: hyang Choi SEOUL, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Washington, Alexander Kozlov, Blinken, Fumio Kishida, Soo, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Stephen Coates Organizations: APEC, Economic Cooperation, Associated Press, U.S, Defense, China, South, Economic, Japanese, Stanford University Locations: United States, North Korea, Russia, San Francisco, Gaza, Ukraine, Seoul, Moscow, Korea, Russian, Pyongyang, South Korea, China

[1/2] US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik attend a welcome ceremony before their annual security meeting at the Defence Ministry in Seoul, South Korea on November 13, 2023. JUNG YEON-JE/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 13 (Reuters) - South Korea and the United States have revised a bilateral security agreement aimed at deterring North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats during talks on Monday, South Korea's defence ministry said. The Tailored Deterrence Strategy (TDS) is aimed at countering the threat of North Korea's nuclear weapons and other armaments, according to an announcement on the agreement by the two countries 10 years ago. The revision was considered necessary because the existing strategy did not adequately address the rapid advancements in North Korea's missile and nuclear threats, it said. Earlier, South Korea's defence ministry said Shin and Austin would discuss jointly countering threats by North Korea, including through executing an "extended deterrence" strategy.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won, sik, JUNG YEON, Shin Won, Lloyd Austin, Shin, Austin, Phil Stewart, Hyunsu Yim, Jack Kim, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defense, South Korean Defence Minister, Defence Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Korea's Defence, U.S ., The Defence Ministry, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, United States, North Korea, United, Korea

JUNG YEON-JE/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday left open the possibility of more strikes against Iran-linked groups if attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria don't stop, hours after overnight U.S. air strikes in Syria. "These attacks must stop, and if they don't stop, then we won't hesitate to do what's necessary, again, to protect the troops," Austin told reporters at a news conference in Seoul. Austin said the latest air strikes in eastern Syria targeted facilities used by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and related groups. "These strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the freedom of action of these groups, which are directly responsible for attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria," Austin said. It was still unclear whether anyone was killed in the latest U.S. strikes in Syria.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won, sik, JUNG YEON, Lloyd Austin, Albu Kamal, Austin, Phil Stewart, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defense, South Korean Defence Minister, Defence Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, . Defense, American, U.S, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Iran, Iraq, Syria, The U.S, Albu, Mayadeen, Israel, U.S, United States, State, East

☆ Five US service members killed in aircraft training accident in eastern Mediterranean Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Five US service members were killed in an aircraft crash during a training flight in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Friday evening, according to a statement from US European Command. The accident occurred during a routine air refueling mission as part of military training, EUCOM said. All five service members on board the helicopter died. It’s unclear exactly what happened or at what point in the flight the crash occurred, but the accident remains under investigation. Our entire nation shares their grief.”Service members, Biden continued, “willingly take risks to keep the American people safe and secure.

Persons: EUCOM, Joe Biden, “ Jill, Biden, “, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Organizations: CNN, Command, Service, Defense, America Locations: Gaza, Israel, Lebanon

NEW DELHI (AP) — Top diplomats and defense chiefs from India and the United States met Friday focusing on security issues involving the Indo-Pacific, China and the Israel-Hamas war. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. and India have a strong partnership and would discuss matters with implications for the future. He also said that the United States and India are bolstering their partnership in international peace and strengthening a rule-based order. Political Cartoons View All 1239 ImagesBlinken also said defense cooperation was a key pillar in ties between the countries. India and the U.S. have held the two-plus-two talks between India’s external affairs and defense minister and the U.S. secretaries of state and defense since 2018 to discuss issues of concern and strengthen bilateral ties.

Persons: Antony Blinken, ”, Blinken, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Uday Bhaskar, Defense Lloyd Austin, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Modi’s Organizations: DELHI, —, U.S, Association of Southeast, Nations, Defense, Indian Locations: India, United, Pacific, China, Israel, U.S, Asia, Japan, Australia, United States, Palestine, Gaza, Ukraine, Philippines, South China, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Washington

☆ Iran envoy says Tehran had no direct role in Hamas’ Israel rampage, or proxy attacks on US forces
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jennifer Deaton | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Iravani said there was cooperation and collaboration, but that Iran was not directing any of those operations. He likened Iran’s role to that of the US in providing assistance to Israel. Tehran has long been accused of arming Hamas and other Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, as regional attacks by its proxies have escalated and become increasingly frequent. CNN pressed Iravani as to whether Iran supported Hamas’ murder of women and children and its hostage-taking on October 7. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shi’a movement based in Lebanon with one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, has also said that Hamas’ attack was kept secret from them.

Persons: Amir Saeid Iravani, Iravani, “, ”, Defense Lloyd Austin, General Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah Organizations: CNN, Republic’s United Nations, UN, United States, Pentagon, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Defense, Quds Force, US, Hamas, Israel Locations: Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Houthis, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, IRGC, UN, Tehran, Gaza, East

Instead, ongoing exercises in Hawaii, which conclude Friday, highlight part of a new American approach to Pacific defense and deterrence, with a focus on small groups of mobile land forces operating from islands like those off China's coast. As part of its “Operation Pathways” revamp of Pacific defense set in motion nearly a decade ago, the U.S. has been increasing its number of exercises with partners in the Indo-Pacific. “And that helps the U.S. to overcome its numerical disadvantages as China's navy is continuing to expand. The exercises provide experience in technical and procedural interoperability and also build human bonds that can be critical in times of crisis. Austin’s travels overlap with Secretary of State Antony Blinken ’s own visits to Tokyo, Seoul and New Delhi.

Persons: ”, Marcus Evans, Euan Graham, ” Graham, Evans, ” Evans, Defense Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken ’, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Graham Organizations: 25th Infantry Division, U.S . Air Force, Wheeler Army, U.S . Department of Defense, U.S . Navy, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, U.S, United States Army, Defense, ” Aircraft Locations: BANGKOK, Taiwan, U.S, Beijing, China, Israel, Iran, Hawaii, American, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Britain, Oahu, United States, Mariana Islands, Guam, Pacific, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India, Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi, Solomon Islands, Washington

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene and other Republicans are taking advantage of a 19th-century House rule to try to lower Biden officials' salaries to $1
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In 1876, the House passed the Holman Rule for the very first time. The rule's been utilized 36 times this year by House Republicans. AdvertisementAdvertisementRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and House Republicans are trying to bring an obscure House rule from the 19th century back in vogue. The Holman Rule hasn't always been included in rules packages since it its introduction in 1876 — the rule has been removed and re-added to the House rule book on numerous occasions. The 115th Congress also briefly instituted the Holman Rule, though the congressional body never passed a single amendment using it.

Persons: Holman, —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, William S Holman, Greene's, Defense Lloyd Austin, Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Alejandro Mayorkas, Amanda Bennett, Pete, Greene, Antony Blinken, Cyrus Salazar, hasn't, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: House Republicans, Service, Biden, Rep, Defense, Transportation, Homeland, US Agency for Global Media, White, Lawmakers, Department of Defense's, Diversity, Equity, Senate, GOP, Representatives, Congress Locations: Canadian

☆ Blinken to visit South Korea as North Korea, Russia deepen ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Seoul visit comes as the United States and South Korea, along with Japan, have condemned what they say is the supply of arms and military equipment by North Korea to Russia. North Korea is preparing to launch a spy satellite after having failed twice this year to put one in orbit. South Korea's spy agency said last week North Korea was in the final stages of preparations for the launch after apparently receiving technical assistance from Russia. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is also due to visit South Korea this week on a trip that will include Indonesia and India. In Washington, U.S. and South Korean officials held talks on North Korea's illicit cyber activities that they say fund its unlawful weapons programs, South Korea's foreign ministry said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Yoko Kamikawa, Toshifumi, military's Vandenberg, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Soo, Choi, Ed Davies, Michael Perry Organizations: Japanese, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, South Korean, SpaceX, U.S, Defense, Blinken, United, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SEOUL, Seoul, Russia, Blinken's, Asia, India, Israel, United States, South Korea, North Korea, Washington, North, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Korea, Moscow, Russia's, South, Indonesia, North Korean, Pacific, Washington , U.S, United Nations

☆ Top Biden administration officials head to Asia to show China remains a top priority amid Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The Biden administration’s senior-most national security officials are traveling this week to the Indo-Pacific, signaling that the administration’s China strategy remains a priority as it grapples with an increasingly volatile Middle East. Blinken and Austin will both travel to India for a 2+2 Dialogue with their counterparts. Meanwhile, talks between US and Chinese officials stalled until this summer when Blinken met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing. Asked by CNN on Monday if Austin would be meeting with any PRC officials during his travel, Pentagon spokesman Brig. The senior officials’ travel also comes as the White House is preparing for a meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month in San Francisco.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, CQ Brown, Brown, Austin, Blinken, —, Nancy Pelosi’s, Ely Ratner, John Aquilino, “, ”, Li Shangfu, Pat Ryder, Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, ” Kritenbrink, Blinken —, Israel —, ’, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, “ It’s, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: Washington CNN, Biden administration’s, Defense, Joint Chiefs, Staff, West Bank, Security, Relations, US Air Force, US, East, Military, Pacific Command, ASEAN Defense, China’s, CNN, Pentagon, East Asian, Pacific Affairs, State Department, Hamas, Israel Locations: China, East, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan, Chinese, South China, Beijing, Pacific, Iranian, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, San Francisco

☆ Blinken makes unannounced visit to Iraq
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Baghdad, Iraq CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday – a significant stop on his whirlwind trip through the region. Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad for more than an hour. In the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attack, Iranian-backed proxy groups have scaled up attacks aimed at US troops in Iraq and Syria. Ahead of his stop in Iraq, Blinken on Sunday also met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah amid escalating Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. Before Blinken’s visit to Iraq, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was the highest-ranking Biden administration official to travel to the country, when he made an unannounced trip to Baghdad in March.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Mohammed Shia, “, ” Blinken, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Mahmoud Abbas, Blinken’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, CNN’s Jack Forrest, Abby Baggini, Oren Liebermann Organizations: Iraq CNN, Sunday, Iraqi, Embassy, US, State Department, Palestinian, West Bank, Defense Locations: Baghdad, Iraq, Sudani, Israel, Iranian, Syria, Gaza, Ramallah, Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey

In the first major legislative action under new Speaker Mike Johnson, House of Representatives Republicans unveiled a standalone supplemental spending bill only for Israel on Monday. Republicans have a 221-212 majority in the House, but Biden's fellow Democrats control the Senate 51-49. To become law, the bill would have to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by Biden. The top Senate Democrat said the Republican bill would be dead on arrival in the upper chamber, even if it passed the House. "We need to treat all four of these areas, all four of them, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the border," McConnell told reporters.

Persons: Anas, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden's, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Antony Blinken, Johnson, Defense Lloyd Austin, Blinken, Matthew Miller, Patricia Zengerle, Costas Pitas, Jonathan Oatis, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Republicans, Revenue Service, Democratic, Israel, Senate, Democrat, Republican, Leader, Management, Budget, Defense, Department, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, China, U.S, Mexico, East, Taiwan

Biden also asked for $14.3 billion for Israel, $9 billion for humanitarian relief -- including for Israel and Gaza -- $13.6 billion for U.S. border security, $4 billion in military assistance and government financing to counter China's regional efforts in Asia. Congress has already approved $113 billion for Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, but Biden's $24 billion request for more funds in August never moved ahead. Democrats - and many Republicans - in the Democratic-majority Senate back Biden's strategy of combining Ukraine aid with support for Israel. Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson has voted in the past against assistance for Kyiv. Biden's support for Israel, which already receives $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military assistance, has drawn criticism amid international appeals for Gaza civilians to be protected.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Patricia Zengerle, Aistair Bell, Nick Zieminski Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Defense, Kyiv, REPUBLICANS, Democratic, Israel, Republican, University of Louisville, Internal Revenue Service, Democrats, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Israel, U.S, United States, Gaza, Asia, Congress, Russia, Washington, China

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