DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ U.S. Strikes 3 Sites in Iraq Linked to Militias Blamed for Base Attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Eric Schmitt | More About Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The United States on Tuesday carried out military strikes against three facilities in western Iraq associated with Iran-linked militias that American officials say attacked a major base in Iraq on Saturday, according to the Pentagon’s Central Command, injuring at least four U.S. service members. “These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement. The attack against Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on Saturday was the latest and the most serious of about 151 such rocket and missile strikes directed at U.S. troops based in Iraq and Syria since Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza started. Al Asad Air Base, in Iraq’s western desert, is now primarily used by Iraqi forces but still has a U.S. contingent. At least 83 U.S. personnel have suffered injuries in the attacks by militias in Syria and Iraq, including traumatic brain injuries.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, Biden, Austin, Biden “ Organizations: Pentagon’s, Command, Central Command, U.S, ”, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base, Pentagon, Houthi Locations: States, Iraq, Iran, Iraq’s, Syria, Iranian, Al Asad Air, Gaza, United States, Britain, Yemen, Al, U.S, Kurdish Syrian, Islamic State

☆ Senators Seek Answers From Pentagon on Troops’ Blast Exposure
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Dave Philipps | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A bipartisan group of senators is demanding to know what steps the military is taking to protect troops from brain injuries caused by the blasts from firing their own weapons. The senators — Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts; Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa; and Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina — made the demand in a detailed letter sent on Thursday to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. It was incited by recent research by the Defense Department and reporting by The New York Times showing that repeated blast exposure from weapons like artillery and rocket launchers can cause lasting and profound brain damage, but that the military often fails to protect troops, or even recognize the risks, from the blasts. “Our service members have been suffering the health consequences of blast overexposure for far too long, and they’re still not seeing real action to limit and track these risks,” Ms. Warren said in a statement.

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Joni Ernst, Thom Tillis, North Carolina —, Lloyd J, Austin III, they’re, Ms, Warren Organizations: Republican, Defense Department, The New York Times Locations: Massachusetts, Iowa, North Carolina

☆ Defense Secretary Austin is 'actively involved and engaged' while hospitalized
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is still hospitalized following doctors' advice, but he's "actively involved and engaged," according to national security spokesperson John Kirby. "A lot of the work that gets done in national security is done at the staff level." Austin has been treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center since Jan. 1, following complications from a surgery nearly two weeks earlier to treat prostate cancer. Kirby said Sunday that physical therapy is part of the reason doctors have kept Austin in the hospital. "The Pentagon's investigating this, and we'll see what comes out of that, but that is not the way that the process is supposed to work," Kirby said.

Persons: Defense Lloyd J, Austin, Lloyd Austin, John Kirby, Kirby, It's, Joe Biden, Austin's Organizations: Defense, Armed, Office, Washington , DC, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Austin, Pentagon Locations: Afghanistan, Rayburn, Washington ,, Iran, Yemen, Austin

☆ Lloyd Austin Confronts the Perils of Being a Private Man in a Public Job
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For three years, President Biden has been just fine with the private nature of his media-shy, introverted defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III. He has also drawn scrutiny and criticism to Mr. Biden’s national security team during a period when it is managing multiple crises around the world. Asked about Mr. Austin on Friday, Mr. Biden said he retained confidence in him. But the president gave a pointed, one-syllable answer when asked if it was a lapse in judgment for Mr. Austin not to have informed him that he had been out of commission at times in recent weeks. The entire incident has exposed Mr. Austin as that rarest of creatures in Washington: an intensely private person in a relentlessly public job.

Persons: Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, “, ” Organizations: Mr Locations: Washington

☆ The New York Times News Quiz, Jan. 12, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Lloyd J. Austin III, the secretary of defense, was absent from his job for three days at the beginning of the year before the White House was informed. Where was he?

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III

☆ Israel-Hamas War U.S. Pushes Israel and Hamas to Restart Talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Andrés R. Martínez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Israel has since resumed its attacks on Hamas, and Mr. Kirby urged it to avoid civilian casualties, while crediting its forces with making efforts to do so. “He’s so naïve; I mean I just lost all confidence in this guy,” Mr. Graham said. “Secretary Austin is telling Israel things that are impossible to achieve.”Mr. Graham said his solution to the hostage impasse would be to threaten Iran, the sponsor of Hamas. “I would go to Iran and say listen, you need to tell Hamas to let these hostages go,” he said. “Qatar has said that Hamas is still at the table,” she said, referring to the Persian Gulf emirate that has served as the intermediary for the talks.

Persons: Israel, “, John F, ”, Kirby, Osama Hamdan, There’s, Biden, Biden’s, Lindsey Graham, Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, ” Mr, Graham, Mr, Al Qaeda, Pramila Jayapal, Jayapal, ” Hwaida Saad Organizations: Kirby, White House National Security Council, Press, Hamas, Republican, West Bank, CNN’s, Union, “ Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, U.S, Lebanon, Israel, South Carolina, CNN’s “ State, Iraq, Al, we’d, Iran, Washington, United States, Qatar, Persian, “ Israel

The U.S. government is making an intense effort to persuade Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations so they can once again pause hostilities and exchange more prisoners for hostages, a White House spokesman said on Sunday. Israel has since resumed its assault on Hamas, and Mr. Kirby urged it to avoid civilian casualties, while crediting its forces with making efforts to do so. “He’s so naïve; I mean I just lost all confidence in this guy,” Mr. Graham said. “I would go to Iran and say listen, you need to tell Hamas to let these hostages go,” he said. “We should have conditions on military aid in the same way that we do for every other country.”While the White House blamed Hamas for the breakdown in hostage talks, Ms. Jayapal faulted Israel.

Persons: Israel, “, John F, ”, Kirby, There’s, Biden, Biden’s, Lindsey Graham, Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, ” Mr, Graham, Mr, Al Qaeda, Pramila Jayapal, Jayapal Organizations: Kirby, White House National Security Council, Press, Hamas, Republican, West Bank, CNN’s, Union, “ Locations: Gaza, Israel, South Carolina, CNN’s “ State, Iraq, Al, we’d, Iran, Washington, United States, Qatar, Persian, “ Israel

☆ U.S. Defense Secretary Visits Ukraine in Show of Support
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | More About Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III visited the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Monday, vowing support for government at a time when progress in the war against Russia as well as U.S. military aid have both stalled. Mr. Austin was greeted by the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget A. He was scheduled to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and other senior officials. “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,” Mr. Austin said. Rallying international backing as well as military aid has been a key priority for Mr. Zelensky since Russia’s invasion in February last year.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, Bridget A, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ” Mr, Zelensky Organizations: Mr, U.S Locations: Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Ukrainian

☆ House Republicans, Stalled on Spending, Weaponize the Power of the Purse
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Robert Jimison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Just before hard-right House Republicans staged a floor mutiny over spending on Wednesday that sent lawmakers home early for their Thanksgiving break, they managed one final vote, on a measure to reduce the salary of an obscure Biden administration official to $1. On Wednesday, the would-be victims included Xavier Becerra, the health secretary, and Vincent J. Munster, a virus scientist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Last week, it was Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary. But others, such as ones taking aim at Lloyd J. Austin III, the defense secretary, and Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, have succeeded. But House Republicans’ choice to repeatedly push such proposals highlights their slash-and-burn approach to federal spending, and why Congress is facing such a steep challenge reaching a longer-term deal to fund the government.

Persons: Biden, Mike Johnson, Biden’s, Xavier Becerra, Vincent J ., Jean, Pierre, Lloyd J, Austin III, Pete Buttigieg Organizations: Republicans, Vincent J . Munster, National Institute of Allergy, White House, Democratic

☆ The US is sending more Patriot defense systems to the Middle East. They cost $1.1 billion each.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Patriot is a missile air defense system that can reach aerial targets up to 66,000 feet. It's a highly sought-after defense system that costs $1.1 billion each. Still, people familiar with the matter told the Journal that the US had sent six, doubling the number of defense systems that were already deployed. According to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes ballistic missile defense development, Israel currently operates three Patriot batteries. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe missile defense systems are produced by Raytheon, a contractee of the US government, and cost about $1.1 billion each.

Persons: —, Defense Lloyd J, Austin, It's Organizations: US, Service, Patriot, Street Journal, Pentagon, Associated Press, Defense, of Defense, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, DOD, Raytheon, Congressional Research Service, CRS, Center for Strategic & International Studies Locations: Iraq, Syria, Iran, East, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Russian

☆ U.S. Carries Out Another Round of Airstrikes on Iran-Linked Targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Eric Schmitt | More About Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The strikes came just four days after American warplanes hit a munitions warehouse in eastern Syria. Pentagon and other Biden administration officials rejected that criticism on Sunday, saying that the American airstrikes have been in self-defense, and in proportion to the attacks by Iran-backed militias. Unlike the two previous sets of strikes, the Pentagon did not make senior officials available after Sunday’s military response to discuss details. Pentagon officials said they were still analyzing the strikes and did not know if anyone on the ground was hurt or killed. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, mostly to help local forces fight remnants of the Islamic State.

Persons: Abu Kamal, Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, ” Dana Stroul Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Pentagon, American, Syria . Air Force, U.S, ”, United Locations: States, Syria, Iraq, Abu, Mayadin, Iran, United States, Asia, U.S, Germany, Islamic State, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Persian

Residents of northern Gaza have used Salah al-Din Road as an escape route to southern Gaza this week during pauses in fighting by the Israeli military. Israel has agreed to put in place regular daily four-hour pauses in its relentless assault on Hamas in selected areas of northern Gaza to allow civilians to flee, the White House announced on Thursday, culminating days of pressure from President Biden as the casualty toll mounts. The White House said a second corridor for evacuations would be opened along a coastal road and that the daily pauses would be institutionalized to include advance notice of at least three hours. Image White House officials announced on Thursday the opening of a second corridor for people to evacuate northern Gaza under humanitarian pauses by the Israeli army. “There is no cease-fire,” the Israel Defense Forces wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Persons: Salah, Biden, John F, Kirby, White, Mr, ”, Samar Abu Elouf, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Antony J, Blinken, Lloyd J, Austin III, Jake Sullivan, “ I’ve, ” Mr, “ It’s, “ We’re, Israel, “ Organizations: White, White House, The New York Times, Israel Defense Forces, Defense Locations: Gaza, Israel, Samar, Illinois

☆ Ukraine. Israel. Can America Support Two Wars and Still Handle China?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Damien Cave | More About Damien Cave | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

America’s long-promised pivot to Asia was finally gathering momentum — new security deals with the Philippines and India, expanded military exercises, and plans with allies to stay ahead of Chinese technology. But the Middle East, like a vortex, has pulled Washington back in. “What concerns us most is the diversion of the U.S. military’s resources from East Asia to Europe, to the Middle East,” Akihisa Nagashima, a lawmaker and former national security adviser in Japan, said at a strategy forum in Sydney, Australia, last week. “We really hope that conflict is completely finished pretty soon.”American military commanders have said that no equipment has left the Indo-Pacific. And two top cabinet officials, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, will be crisscrossing Asia this week with messages of reassurance, making stops separately or together in India, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia.

Persons: Akihisa Nagashima, “, Lloyd J, Austin III, Antony J, Blinken Organizations: Pentagon, Defense Locations: Asia, Philippines, India, Washington, United States, Beijing, Gaza, Israel, East Asia, Europe, Japan, Sydney, Australia, South Korea, Indonesia

Iran-backed militias have packed even larger loads of explosives — more than 80 pounds — onto drones launched at American bases, U.S. officials said. “The president has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”“The United States is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities,” he added. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, mostly to help local forces fight remnants of the Islamic State. The Biden administration also uses a “deconfliction” line with Russia to try to manage escalation in Iraq and Syria, two officials said. Russia has troops in Syria, and American officials say they expect that telling Russia before a strike in Syria is the same as telling Iran, as Russian officials often inform Tehran of what is coming.

Persons: ratcheting, Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, ”, Antony J, Blinken, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mr, Khamenei, ” Christine S Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, American, Air Force, Pentagon, U.S, Quds Force, ”, Palestinian, Biden, Sunday, United, Military, Pentagon’s Central Command, National Counterterrorism Center Locations: United States, Syria, Iraq, U.S, Iran, I.R.G.C, Yemen, Israel, Islamic State, Russia, Tehran, Lebanon, Persian, Gaza, Tehran , U.S

☆ Frustrated Zelensky Says Ukraine’s War Effort Is Being Underestimated
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Constant Méheut | More About Constant Méheut | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has expressed frustration over what he has labeled unrealistic expectations for rapid success on the battlefield amid concerns that slow progress against entrenched Russian forces will discourage Kyiv’s allies from sustaining military aid. “The modern world quickly gets accustomed to success,” Mr. Zelensky said in his nightly address on Tuesday, complaining that Ukrainian troops’ achievements “are perceived as a given.”Mr. Zelensky’s comments came as the Biden administration seeks congressional approval for a $105 billion aid package that includes assistance for both Israel and Ukraine. But some Republicans oppose sending more aid to Ukraine — and have moved to separate the funding request from aid for Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III warned American senators on Tuesday that if they cut off funding to Ukraine, as some Republicans have vowed to do, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia would win the war.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Mr, Zelensky, “, Mr, Zelensky’s, Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, Vladimir V, Putin Organizations: Ukraine —, Israel . Defense Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Israel, Russia

The American strikes on two Iranian military munitions stockpiles in Syria on Friday were carefully designed, President Biden’s aides said, to send two distinct messages to Tehran. It is the latest gamble by the United States to modify Iran’s behavior, few of which have worked in the past. He quickly added that the United States “has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities” if the Iranian-backed attacks stop. But the Iranians wanted to do something to pressure the United States to rein in Israel and to remind the Americans of Tehran’s power, U.S. officials said. When Mr. Biden came into office, he tried to restore the nuclear deal, which had largely contained Iran’s nuclear activity, international nuclear inspectors said, until Mr. Trump pulled out of it.

Persons: Biden’s, Biden, John F, Kirby, ” Mr, Qassem, Lloyd J, Austin III, United States “, Mr, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei, Barack Obama, Donald J, Trump Organizations: Air Force, Pentagon, Iran’s Quds Force, U.S, ”, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Democratic Locations: Syria, Tehran, United States, Iran, East, U.S, Iraq, Iran’s Quds, Iranian, Israel, Lebanon, China

☆ Israel is preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza. Here's why it hasn't happened yet.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Israel said it would launch a ground invasion of Gaza after the October 7 terrorist attacks. AdvertisementAdvertisementShortly after the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, Israel announced that it would launch a ground invasion of Gaza. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US military and other officials believe their forces will be targeted by militant groups once Israel launches its ground invasion, according to the report. AdvertisementAdvertisementUS officials believe that once the ground invasion begins, American forces will be targeted by various militant groups, the Wall Street Journal reported. This is partly because military meetings have so far focused only on day-to-day operations as Israel continues to bomb Gaza.

Persons: Israel, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yocheved, Sharone Lifschitz, Alexi Rosenfeld, Joe Biden's, Biden, Netanyahu, Jonathan Lord, Joe Biden, Evan Vucci, Lloyd J, Austin III, Jalaa Marey, Robert Satloff, Howard P Berkowitz, Jacquelyn Martin Organizations: Service, Israel, United Nations, Ichilov Hospital, Getty, New York Times, Sunday, White, Middle East Security, Center for New American Security, NBC, Sky News, Israeli, Ben Gurion International, AP, Defense, Times, Embassy, Street, NBC News, Wall Street Journal, Israel Defense Forces, Washington Institute for Near East Studies Locations: Gaza, Israel, Tel Aviv, Washington, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Israeli, Galilee, AFP

☆ U.S. Strikes Iranian-Linked Targets in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Eric Schmitt | More About Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

The targets represent a significant escalation in striking facilities used by Iran’s own forces in the region, not just the militias in Iraq and Syria that it helps arm and train. “These narrowly tailored strikes in self-defense were intended solely to protect and defend U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria,” Mr. Austin said. Since Oct. 17, Iran-backed militia have carried out at least 12 rocket or one-way attack drone strikes against U.S. troops in Iraq and at least four attacks in Syria, Brig. There are 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, mainly helping local allies conduct counterterrorism missions against the Islamic State. “I believe there is concern that our bases in Syria and Iraq, especially Syria, could be attacked by a wave of drones and it could overwhelm the defenses currently there,” Mick Mulroy, a former defense official and retired C.I.A.

Persons: Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, Mr, Austin, ” Mr, “, Patrick S, Ryder, ” Mick Mulroy, General Ryder, Al Asad, we’ve, ” Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, American, U.S, ”, Hamas, U.S ., Pentagon, Iran, The Defense Department, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base, Islamic Locations: States, Syria, Iraq, Iran, East, U.S, Iranian, United States, Israel, Lebanon, Persian, Erbil, Al Asad Air, Brig, Islamic State

☆ The ‘Devil’s Playground’ of Urban Combat That Israel Is Preparing to Enter
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Damien Cave | More About Damien Cave | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But Gaza, heavily urbanized, with Hamas deeply entrenched, is an especially complex battlefield. The LandscapeThe Gaza Strip is about 140 square miles, a narrow band slightly larger in area than Las Vegas, with a cluster of urban population centers. Gaza City, the capital, has around 700,000 people packed into around 20 square miles, with more tall buildings than U.S.-led forces faced in the battle for Mosul, creating a more dangerous three-dimensional front. Israel has destroyed hundreds of Gaza buildings in airstrikes. Hamas, long before its assault on Israel this month, had built hundreds of miles of tunnels under Gaza City that can be used to move between attack positions, hide hostages and protect supplies.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, Biden, “ I’ve, Lloyd J, Austin III, —, ” John W, Spencer Organizations: ”, Modern, U.S . Military Academy Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iraq, Las Vegas, Gaza City, Mosul, Mariupol, Ukraine

Biden administration officials insisted that the United States had not told Israel what to do and still supported the ground invasion. General Glynn, the official said, would not be on the ground in Israel if an incursion into Gaza begins. But on Sunday, a diplomat from the Israeli Embassy denied that the U.S. government was advising the Israelis to delay the ground invasion. In conversations with Israeli officials since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, American officials said they have not yet seen an achievable plan of action. Like U.S. officials, Mr. Reed said he also still supports the ground invasion to destroy Hamas.

Persons: Biden, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd J, Austin III, James Glynn, General Glynn, Axios, Gallant, Austin, “, Mr, ” Mr, Patrick S, Ryder, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, we’ve, Michael Knights, Knights, Jack Reed, Reed, ”, Michael Crowley Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Biden, Pentagon, Israel, Embassy, Islamic, United States Central Command, ABC, American Marines, Associated Press, Islamic State, State, The Washington Institute, Hamas, Rhode Island Democrat, Armed Services Committee Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Washington, U.S, Mosul, Iraqi, Tel Aviv, Kurdish, Mosul —, British, Falluja, Iraq, Raqqa, Cairo, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, “, State

☆ U.S. Sends More Missile Defense Systems to Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Andrés R. Martínez | More About Andrés R. Martínez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. military said it would send more missile defense systems to the Middle East in response to “escalations” from Iran and its allies, who have threatened a broader war in the region. The deployment comes as Israel continues to signal intentions to invade Gaza after Hamas’s deadly incursion earlier this month. The United States is sending a Thaad battery and additional Patriot battalions, two of its most powerful weapons against missiles, to the region, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement on Saturday. Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier will now be “redirected” to the Central Command’s area of responsibility, the statement said, a region that encompasses much of the Middle East, including Israel and Lebanon. Iran and its allies have sharpened their language against Israel and the United States in the past two weeks, threatening to open new fronts in the war if the United States becomes more involved.

Persons: Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, Dwight D, Biden Organizations: U.S, Defense, Eisenhower, Israel, U.S . Navy, Pentagon, United Locations: ”, Iran, Israel, Gaza, United States, Lebanon, Congress, U.S, Yemen, Iranian

The Biden administration has advised Israel to delay a ground invasion of Gaza, hoping to buy time for hostage negotiations and to allow more humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in the sealed-off enclave, according to several U.S. officials. American officials also want more time to prepare for attacks on U.S. interests in the region from Iran-backed groups, which officials said are likely to intensify once Israel moves its forces fully into Gaza. Mr. Biden also spoke to the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Britain. When Mr. Biden met with the Israeli war cabinet during his trip to Tel Aviv last week, he avoided making requests of Mr. Netanyahu, officials said. Instead, the president offered a series of questions that should be answered before a ground invasion starts.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, ”, Antony J, Blinken, “, Mr, Netanyahu Organizations: Sunday, U.S, Defense, Pentagon, Embassy, Hamas, CBS, Biden, Press, State Department, Consulate Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iran, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, U.S, Washington, Qatar, United States, Baghdad, Erbil, Iraq, ”, Tel Aviv

☆ US redirects Navy carrier strike group, deploys high altitude defense missile system and patriot battalions to the Middle East amid escalations by Iran in the Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Navy strike group was redirected and Patriot battalions were activated. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US is increasing its military presence in the Middle East amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. In response, the outlet reported, the Israel Defense Forces said it launched counter-strikes on several Hezbollah targets near the Lebanese-Israeli border. The Eisenhower strike group is mobilized in addition to the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The THAAD is a Lockheed Martin anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to intercept targets inside and outside the atmosphere, per the manufacturer.

Persons: —, Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, Joe Biden, Israel —, he'd, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Gerald R, Lockheed Martin, Austin Organizations: Navy, Service, Defense, US Department of Defense, Jerusalem Post, Israel Defense Forces, Hezbollah, Austin, Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, Central Command, Ford Carrier Strike, Area Defense, Lockheed, Pentagon Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Jerusalem, Lebanese, Gaza

☆ US to send F-35 and F-15 jets to the Middle East to deter expansion of fighting beyond Israel's borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US is sending squadrons of advanced fighter jets to prevent the war in Israel from escalating. US Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 jets will deploy in the region in a "deterrence posture." The US is also sending an advanced carrier and heavily armed strike group to Israel's coast. The jets will be deployed in addition to the US sending its most advanced aircraft carrier and heavily armed strike group to Israel's coast. The squadrons will be tasked with deterring the expansion of the war and preventing any potential Iranian aggression in the fighting.

Persons: —, Lloyd J, Austin III, Secretary Austin, Austin Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Israeli Defense Forces, Palestinian Health Ministry, West Bank, CNN, of Defense, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Department of Defense Locations: Israel, Israel's, Palestinian, Iran

☆ A US F-16 fighter jet shot down a Turkish drone, taking out another NATO ally's aircraft over Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A US F-16 fighter jet shot down a Turkish drone in Syria on Thursday. The rare clash between two NATO members occurred after the drone was considered a threat to US forces in the area. AdvertisementAdvertisementA US military F-16 fighter jet downed a Turkish drone operating above Syria on Thursday, marking a rare clash between Washington and a NATO ally. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based office that documents human rights abuses in Syria, said earlier Thursday that an "International Coalition" targeted the Turkish drone. Hours later at 11:30 am local time, a Turkish drone reentered that restricted operating zone.

Persons: —, Pat Ryder, Ryder, Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, Guler Organizations: NATO, Pentagon's, Service, American, Street Journal, Syrian Observatory, Human Rights, Coalition, Reuters, Turkish, Central Command, Pentagon Press, Air Force, Defense, Turkey, of National Defense, Islamic, ISIS, US Central Command, Pentagon Locations: Syria, Turkish, Washington, NATO, Turkey, Hasakah, Iraq, Ankara, Islamic State

Search resuls for: "Lloyd J"

25 mentions found