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☆ Putin references Russian hitman in German jail as he suggests ‘agreement can be reached’ on detained US reporter Gershkovich
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Nathan Hodge | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested “an agreement can be reached” with the United States to release detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich, as he brought up the conviction of a “patriotic” Russian hitman in Germany. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested last March while on a reporting trip in the country. When Putin said Gershkovich was working with US special services, Carlson did push the Russian president, saying: “This guy is obviously not a spy, he’s a kid. In fact, journalists have repeatedly been requesting interviews with Putin, but the Russian President had declined to grant access. The Russian President suggested that the path to ending the war in Ukraine was through direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Evan Gershkovich, Tucker Carlson, Putin’s, Carlson, Putin, “, ” Putin, ”, Natalia Kolesnikova, Gershkovich’s, “ He’s, Evan, ” Danielle Gershkovich, Biden, Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, He’s, Vadim Krasikov, Krasikov, Viktor Bout, Brittney Griner, Whelan, “ Evan, ” “ Evan, “ We’re, Viktor Orbán, Javier Milei, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ Putin, railroaded Tucker Carlson, Jill Dougherty, Dougherty, Armin Wolf, Joe Biden, Dmitry Medvedev Organizations: CNN, Fox News, Street Journal, Federal Security Service, Novosti, US State Department, Getty, White, Russian, Street, Big Tech, International Criminal Court, Rights Watch, Russia’s, Kremlin, NATO, Republicans Locations: United States, American, Russian, Germany, Ukraine, Moscow, Europe, Russia, US, AFP, Berlin, Chechen, Ukrainian, Mariupol, Austrian, Washington, Poland, Belarus, Israel

☆ Special counsel report specifically cites Biden's age and poor memory as a reason he wasn't charged
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Special Counsel Robert Hur investigated President Joe Biden's improper document storage for a year. It specifically cites Biden's declining memory and old age as reasons not to prosecute. AdvertisementUS Special Counsel Robert Hur's newly released report cites President Joe Biden's memory and advanced age as a reason not to charge him for mishandling classified documents. "Nonetheless, the most important decision the Special Counsel made—that no charges are warranted—is firmly based on the facts and evidence." The special counsel's report comes as Republican leaders and some Democrats have raised alarms about the president's age cognitive abilities.

Persons: Robert Hur, Joe Biden's, —, Robert Hur's, Biden's, Donald Trump, Biden, White, Richard Sauber, weren't Organizations: Service, Sauber Locations: willfulness

☆ Special counsel report says Biden shouldn't be charged with any crimes over mishandling of classified documents
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

In 2022, Biden's team found classified documents in an office outside the White House. A special counsel appointed by the attorney general did not recommend charges against the president. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementIn a newly released report, US special counsel Robert Hur chided President Joe Biden for his handling of classified documents but said he shouldn't be charged with any crimes. "We conclude that no criminal charges are warranted in this matter," the report said at the beginning of its executive summary.

Persons: —, Robert Hur, Joe Biden, shouldn't Organizations: Service, of Justice, Business Locations: Delaware

☆ The US, Russia and China are in a race to dominate new-wave nuclear energy — and win global influence
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Angela Dewan | Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Russia's floating nuclear power plant, Akademik Lomonosov, leaving the service base Rosatomflot on August 23, 2019. For some experts, nuclear energy — in all forms, large or small — has an important role to play in that transition. Globally, the construction of conventional nuclear power plants dipped following the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986. Russia has already built or designed nuclear plants — the traditional type — for China, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Slovakia, Egypt and Iran. “It certainly dampens the excitement abroad,” said John Parsons, a senior lecturer at MIT and a financial economist focused on nuclear energy.

Persons: Akademik Lomonosov, Biden, Lomonosov, Maxim Shemetov, “ There’s, ”, Josh Freed, China —, Vladimir Putin’s, Bill Gates ’, Luo Yunfei, Kirsten Cutler, they’re, Cutler, ” Cutler, They’re, John Parsons, John Kerry, Thomas Mukoya, Way’s Freed, “, ” Parsons, Mohammed Hamdaoui, ” Hamdaoui, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Reuters, European Union, International Energy Agency, Energy, World Nuclear, IEA, US, SMR, US Export, Import Bank, International Development Finance Corporation, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, China, Changjiang, China News Service, Nuclear Energy, US State Department, “, MIT, InfluenceMap, The State Department, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, Rystad Energy Locations: Alaska, Russian, Russia, China, European, Japan, India, South Korea, Europe, Dubai, America, Poland, North Carolina, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Turkey, Slovakia, Egypt, Iran, Lomonosov, Siberia, Russia’s, Washington, Bill Gates ’ TerraPower, Wyoming, Changjiang Li Autonomous County, Hainan province, United States, Oregon, Idaho, United Arab Emirates

☆ SOCOM is after new tech to help special operations forces spot, track, and take out urban threats without being seen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

US special operations forces on the island join their Taiwanese comrades in major urban centers, getting ready for intense urban combat. Looking toward potential future fights like this, US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is after new tech that would help its special operators survive and thrive in urban warfare. Modern Urban WarfareThe ongoing conflict in Ukraine has shown that urban warfare remains as deadly as ever. Advertisement"When I hear the words 'urban warfare' I think of buildings, close ranges, challenges in fires support, CAS [close air support], or MEDAVACs [medical evacuations]. During the industrial counterterrorism campaign against al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Iraqi insurgency, US special operations forces got a good taste of urban warfare and its complexities.

Persons: —, SOCOM, Justin Moeller, isn't Organizations: Service, Business, Operations Command, 5th Special Forces Group, US, Staff, Urban, Wagner Group, Delta Force, Green Berets, Islamic Locations: China, Taiwan, Pacific, Beijing, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Afghanistan, Qaeda, Iraq, Islamic State, Syria, Mosul

☆ Biden appears to have found a workaround to the GOP Ukraine aid block — routing weapons via Greece
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewJoe Biden appears to have found a way around the Republican Party's blockade of Ukraine aid using a little-known presidential power. AdvertisementAccording to the report, Greece has weapons such as the S-300 missile-defense systems and Hawk surface-to-air missiles that would prove valuable to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Kurt Volker, a former US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, wrote for the European Center for Policy Analysis recently that the Excess Defense Articles law was one of a number of tools available to Biden to keep weapons to Ukraine flowing. The value of weapons that can be transferred under the Excess Defense Articles law is capped at $500 million. According to reports, Ukraine is running low on vital supplies of ammunition and equipment as it battles a Russian offensive.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Antony Blinken, Bradley, Forbes, Blinken, Kurt Volker, Biden, Volker, Mark Cancian Organizations: Service, Republican, Excess, Business, Foreign Armed Forces Financing, Russia, European Center for, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Ukraine, Greece, Athens

John Podesta Will Take Over for John Kerry as the US Special Climate Change Envoy, AP Source SaysWhite House senior adviser John Podesta will replace John Kerry as U.S. special climate change envoy, according to a person familiar with the appointment

Persons: John Podesta Will, John Kerry, John Podesta Organizations: White House

☆ US special operations forces are searching for a new extreme long-range rifle for their next big fight as Ukraine shows the damage that snipers can do
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A New Sniper RifleIn December, US Special Operations Command, or SOCOM, released a solicitation for offers for a new sniper rifle. SOCOM also wants its new sniper rifle to be significantly lighter than the ones it will be replacing. The MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle sights view a target on the range at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Oct. 22, 2023. As for its durability, SOCOM wants the new sniper rifle to have a barrel life of between 1,200 and 1,500 rounds. A view from the viewfinder of a Ukrainian sniper rifle at a shooting range amid Russia and Ukraine war in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on August 09, 2023.

Persons: —, Barret, MK15, SOCOM, Michael Schwenk, Norma Mangum, Ignacio Marin, wasn't, Vyacheslav Kovalskiy Organizations: Service, Army Rangers, Navy, Marine Raiders, Green Berets, Operations Command, Base McGuire, Dix, U.S . Army National Guard, Spc, Command, Department of Defense, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Army Green Beret, National Guard, Special Forces, British, South, Democratic Locations: Ukraine, Lakehurst , New Jersey, Ukrainian, Russia, Donetsk Oblast, Canadian, Iraq, Afghanistan, South African, Democratic Republic of Congo, China

☆ Missions like the nighttime sea raid that saw 2 Navy SEALs go missing are 'dangerous' and 'complex,' former Special Forces soldier says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Two Navy SEALs went missing at sea during a raid to interdict smuggled Iranian weapons last week. Western forces have carried out numerous visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) missions in recent years. These operations can be "dangerous" and "complex," a former US Special Forces soldier said. A former US Special Forces soldier said these missions are particularly "dangerous" and "complex" for a number of reasons, including the difficulty of successfully mounting a moving target and the potential to encounter hostiles once on board. AdvertisementUS forces seized this dhow during a nighttime mission on Jan. 11, 2024, and maintained custody of it the following day.

Persons: —, hostiles, Lino Miani, USS Lewis B, CENTCOM, Michael Kurilla, Melissa Parrish, there's, Miani, Jason Dunham, Kyle McNally CENTCOM, Kurilla Organizations: Navy, US Special Forces, Service, Operations, Green Beret, Insider, USS, Puller, Central Command, US, Command Public, US Navy, US Army Green Berets, Combat, Foundation, US Navy SEAL, Royal Jordanian Naval Base, US Army, Troops, Pentagon, 1st, Special Operations, US Marine Corps, UN Locations: Somalia, Iran, Yemen, Aqaba, Camp Pendleton , California, Iranian

☆ John Kerry steps down from Biden administration
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

John Kerry stepped down as special envoy on climate on Saturday. Biden brought on Kerry in 2020 to serve in the National Security Council's first climate position. AdvertisementJohn Kerry , the US special envoy on climate, is stepping down from the Biden administration in the coming weeks, according to two people familiar with his plans. The New York Times, citing a person familiar with the matter, reported that Kerry handed his resignation to President Joe Biden on Wednesday. During his tenure with the Biden administration, Kerry was often seen working with China on climate goals and encouraged the US to work with China to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Persons: John Kerry, Biden, Kerry, —, Joe Biden, Axios, Obama, Han Zheng, John Kerry's, Al Gore Organizations: Kerry, National Security, Service, The New York Times, The State Department, Times . Staff, Times, National Security Council, Paris Climate Accords, Senate Foreign Relations, Massachusetts, Senate, Democratic, State Department, White, Business Locations: China, Kerry, Paris, Beijing

☆ Forget ‘spend less’ or ‘save more.’ Make this your No. 1 financial resolution for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-28 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —You may think that improving your financial life is simply a matter of taking unpleasant but necessary steps: Curb spending. So make just one financial new year’s resolution for 2024: Figure out what financial well-being means for you. You can avoid the action but you can’t bury something completely when it comes to money,” Agnew said. Spend in ways that are true to who you are, not others’ expectationsBeyond creating a greater sense of security, financial well-being is about using your money as you wish. Figure out your relationship with moneyThere are plenty of other ways to define financial well-being for yourself.

Persons: ”, Ashley Agnew, you’re, Agnew, you’ll, ” Agnew, “, Meghaan, It’s, ” Lurtz, Lurtz, Brad Klontz, Morgan Hounsel, Brian Portnoy Organizations: New, New York CNN, Financial Therapy Association, Centerpoint Advisors Locations: New York, Here’s

☆ Are the COP climate summits working? These countries are going to the courts, instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“It is a recipe for permanent climate chaos and suffering.”Yet the UN climate summit, known as COP, is tedious. Even fierce climate advocates who agree COP should be more ambitious still believe the summit is a powerful and worthwhile endeavor. “There is a lot of questioning whether this process will deliver or not,” Ani Dasgupta, president and CEO of international climate nonprofit World Resources Institute, told CNN. In this June 2017 photo, President Donald Trump after announcing his intention to abandon the Paris Agreement in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. Doug Mills/The New York Times/ReduxStill, former and current US negotiators say climate diplomacy has helped keep the world’s temperature from reaching truly alarming highs.

Persons: António Guterres, ” Guterres, Paris, Payam Akhavan, ” Akhavan, ” Ani Dasgupta, ’ COP’s, ”, Sue Biniaz, John Kerry, Frances F, Denny, Biniaz, ” Biniaz, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Doug Mills, Jonathan Pershing, William, Flora Hewlett, Pershing, ” Pershing, “, Todd Stern, Jens Astrup, Stern, “ It’s, ” Stern, it’s, It’s, Margaretha Wewerinke, Singh, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Peter Dejong, Hailey Campbell, ’ ”, Campbell Organizations: CNN, United Nations, Law, United, Resources Institute, Yale University, The New York Times, “, ”, White, New York Times, Kerry, Bella Center, Getty, US, Republicans, International Court of Justice Locations: Paris, Small, States, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Antigua, Barbuda, Dubai, COP28, United States, New Haven , Connecticut, Rose, Washington , DC, Copenhagen, AFP, Europe, Mississippi, Philippines, Sharm el, Sheikh, Egypt, Hawaii, Honolulu

☆ Biden hails initial hostage release, says ‘we will not stop’ until all are brought home
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Betsy Klein | Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —President Joe Biden welcomed the initial release of hostages held in Gaza, calling Friday’s release of 13 Israelis a positive start toward the goal in the coming days of securing at least 50 women and children hostages, including three Americans. “It’s only a start, but so far, it’s gone well,” Biden told reporters in Nantucket Friday afternoon. He also noted the release of several Thai nationals who had also been kidnapped by Hamas. “We also will not stop until we get these hostages brought home and an answer to their whereabouts,” he said. Hamas unleashed this terrorist attack because they fear nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace,” he said.

Persons: Joe Biden, “, it’s, ” Biden, Abigail Edan, Biden, ”, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Abdel Fattah El, David Satterfield, Satterfield Organizations: CNN, Israel Locations: Gaza, Nantucket, Qatar

☆ With job cuts and drug tests, the Pentagon hopes to prepare its special-ops forces for a new era of warfare
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

US Navy/MCS 1st Class Anthony W. WalkerNaval Special Warfare Command announced in September that it would start testing its personnel, including Navy SEALs and Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, for performance-enhancing drugs. The initiative comes after several drug-related incidents in the Naval Special Warfare community and is designed to protect the force's health and readiness. Special Forces Assessment and Selection candidates carry a telephone pole during a ruck march at Camp Mackall in North Carolina in March 2020. The Navy Special Warfare Community has swelled to about 4,000 SEALS — 10 times as many as at the height of the Cold War. A US Special Forces soldier free falls over a drop zone in Germany in March 2015.

Persons: —, Anthony W, Keith Davids, Jason Johnston, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: Pentagon, Service, US Navy, Walker, Warfare Command, Navy, Warfare, Craft, Navy SEAL, Special Forces, US Army, Special, Command, Army, 75th Ranger, Operations Command, US Special Forces, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins School, International Studies, Boston College Law School Locations: Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Beijing, Asia, Pacific, Russia, China, Coronado , California, Mackall, North Carolina, Germany

CNN —Dozens of young Americans have posted videos on TikTok this week expressing sympathy with Osama bin Laden, the notorious terrorist who orchestrated the September 11 attacks, for a two-decade-old letter he wrote critiquing the United States, including its government and support of Israel. TikTok is hugely popular with young Americans, with a majority of Americans under 30 using the app at least once a week, according to a KFF survey. The attack was orchestrated by Bin Laden, the former leader of the al Qaeda terrorist group who was killed in a US special forces raid in 2011. “There’s no proof it was written by bin Laden and some of the things that he focuses on are inconsistent with his other writings,” he told CNN. New data from the Pew Research Center released Wednesday shows TikTok is rapidly becoming a place where more and more young Americans get their news.

Persons: Osama bin Laden, TikTok, Bin Laden, influencer, ”, al, Andrew Bates, “, ” Bates, ” Imran Ahmed, ” Ahmed, Peter Bergen, Bergen, bin Laden, Pew Organizations: CNN, Israel, Hamas, Center, CNN National Security, Guardian, Pew Research Center Locations: United States, Israel, New York City , Washington, Pennsylvania, America, New York, American, al Qaeda, Palestine, TikTok

☆ Scoring Taylor Swift Tickets and setting up elephant processions: Private bankers dish on the ways they pamper ultra-rich clients
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The ultra-rich can afford nearly anything, but that doesn't guarantee access, especially for sold-out games or limited-edition luxury items. Many clients are willing to pay top dollar for coveted Taylor Swift tickets but can't find them, and they have asked their advisors for help tracking them down. Many financial institutions prefer white-labeling, repackaging the services with the banks' branding, Gaby Stanley of Ten Lifestyle Group told Insider. The UK-based concierge clients include Coutts, HSBC, and Merrill Lynch. Private-bank advisors help each other out, according to Yates, who has hooked up out-of-state advisors' clients with Miami Heat tickets when they visit Florida.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Morgan Stanley's Valerie Wong Fountain, Morgan Stanley, Valerie Wong Fountain, Grace Yoon, Rockefeller, Yoon, Gaby Stanley, Coutts, Merrill Lynch, it's, Stanley, Paul Yates, Yates Organizations: Advisors, Business, Rockefeller Capital Management, Ten Lifestyle Group, HSBC, Michelin, Bank, Miami Super Bowl, Private, Miami Heat, Bank of America Locations: London, Japan, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

☆ US commandos showed off their little-known underwater skills in Army Special Operations Commands' best combat diver competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In September, US commandos showed off their skills during the US Army Special Operations Command Best Combat Diver Competition — and Army Special Forces divers flexed their little-known underwater muscles to triumph over their Navy brethren. AdvertisementAdvertisementCompetitors in the Army Special Operations Command Best Dive Team Competition at Naval Air Station Key West on September 25. AdvertisementAdvertisementCompetitors begin a dive event during the Army Special Operations Command Best Combat Diver Competition in Key West in September. AdvertisementAdvertisementCombat diving revivalThe 5th Special Forces Group team takes title of best combat dive team during the Army Special Operations Command Best Combat Diver Competition in late September. Competitors in a pool event during the Army Special Operations Command Best Combat Diver Competition in late September.

Persons: —, US Army John F, Maj, Brandon Schwartz, Emely Opio, Wright, Lino Miani, aren't Organizations: Special Operations Command, Commandos, US Army, Navy, Service, US Army Special, Army Special Forces, Naval Air Station Key, Army, Army Special, Naval Air Station, West, Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Green Berets, Special Forces Group, Warfare Training Group, 5th Special Forces Group, Special Forces Underwater Operations, Green, Beret, Special Forces, Key West, 1st Special Forces Command, National Guard, Green Beret, Special Forces Command, Combat, Foundation, Pacific, Command, National Guard Green Locations: Russia, China, Key, Iraq, Afghanistan

☆ Billionaire FBI informant Peter Thiel dished about two Kremlin invites to private Putin meetings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | Hans-Martin Tillack | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

It was Angermayer who introduced Bisslinger to Thiel at the party, Thiel would later tell the FBI. After some small talk, Bisslinger made a pitch to Thiel: Thiel should travel to Russia to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. If Thiel chose to attend, Bisslinger said, Bisslinger would arrange for him to meet privately with Putin. "Even if Mr. Angermayer did introduce Mr. Thiel and Mr. Bisslinger," the lawyers wrote in another letter, "Mr. Angermayer is not—and cannot be—responsible for whatever Mr. Bisslinger and Mr. Thiel may or may not have discussed." At his 40th birthday, he connected Peter Thiel with a Russian diplomat, Thiel later told the FBI.

Persons: Peter Thiel, Christian Angermayer, Thiel, Daniil Bisslinger, Bisslinger, Vladimir Putin's, Angermayer, Putin, Maksim Konstantinov, —, Frank Figliuzzi, Vladimir Putin, — Charles Johnson —, Johnathan Buma, Johnson, Welt, Dmitry Peskov, John Lamparski, Donald Trump, — Thiel, Der Spiegel, he'd, Elon Musk, Musk, Thiel —, he's, Palantir, He's, Uma Thurman, Robbie Williams, Queen Latifah, Paul Kagame, Dan McCrum, John Kerry, Richard Grenell, Kerry, Sensei Biotherapeutics, Trump, Dmitry Medvedev, Medvedev, Maureen Dowd, Alexander Schütz, Eva Schütz, Schütz, — Heinz, Christian Strache, Markus Braun, Jan Marsalek, Marsalek, Caroline Haskins, Katherine Long, Jack Newsham, Mattathias Schwartz, Hans, Martin Tillack Organizations: Kremlin, Tech, Pentagon, CIA, Facebook, SpaceX, Kremlin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian Embassy, Thiel, St ., Economic, Getty, FBI, Atlantic, Bisslinger, Germany, Elon, Russia, NSA, US Special Operations Command, National Health Service, Apeiron Investment, Munich Security, intel, Trump, State Department, Angermayer's, PayPal, Nasdaq, Sciences, The New York Times, Deutsche Bank, Welt Locations: Silicon Valley, Schloss Neuwaldegg, Vienna, Silicon, Moscow, Russian, Berlin, Russia, St, St . Petersburg, Petersburg, Ukraine, Europe, Germany, NATO, Crimea, Ukrainian, Sevastopol, Palantir, Washington, Rwanda, Baltic, Belarus, Iran, Angermayer's Malta, Munich, China, China's, Austrian, Austria, Exxpress, Wirecard, schwartz79@protonmail.com

☆ Divides remain between US and Arab partners after Blinken meets counterparts in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Amman, Jordan CNN —Sharp divides persisted between the United States and its Arab partners on their response to Israel’s war against Hamas after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Middle Eastern counterparts in Amman, Jordan on Saturday. Blinken again called for Israel to “take every possible measure” to prevent civilian casualties – a message he had relayed in meetings in Tel Aviv on Friday. Still, following his meetings in Amman, Blinken sought to emphasize the points of common interest between the US and its regional partners. “I think we all share deep concern about the plight of civilians in Gaza – men, women and children,” he said. Although the US believes the current flow of 100 to 120 trucks a day into Gaza is sustainable, “it’s challenged by the environment on the ground in South Gaza,” Satterfield said.

Persons: Jordan CNN — Sharp, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Sameh Shoukry, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Blinken, “ We’ve, David Satterfield, Satterfield, it’s, ” Satterfield, “ That’s Organizations: Jordan CNN, Hamas, Saturday, Jordanian Foreign, United Arab, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Middle East Locations: Amman, Jordan, United States, Amman , Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Israel, Tel Aviv, Wadi Gaza, Rafah, ”, South Gaza

☆ Ukraine has taken 17,000 Russians off the battlefield without firing a shot, US Army special-ops general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia has taken hundreds of thousands of casualties since attacking Ukraine last year. Thanks to its information operations, Kyiv has helped take 17,000 Russians off the battlefield without even firing a shot, according to the head of US Army Special Operations Command. "Messaging has played a huge role just in the tactical and operational sense" in Ukraine, Braga said at the Association of the US Army's annual conference in October. During the Cold War, the KGB used information operations as part of a larger "active measures" campaign to subvert the West and undermine NATO. In the US special-operations community, the Army's Psychological Operations Groups and the Civil Affairs Brigade do most of the work when it comes to information operations and shaping the narrative.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Valya, Jonathan Braga, Braga, We've, You've, Arkady Budnitsky, " Braga, it's, Kyiv's Organizations: Service, Russian, US Army Special Operations Command, Navy, Getty, Association of, Anadolu Agency, Kremlin, NATO, Keyboard, US Army, Psychological, Groups, Civil Affairs Brigade, Army Special Forces Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Europe, Kyiv, St . Petersburg, Rostov, Mackall, North Carolina, China

A crowds gathers at the Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) in Dagestan, southern Russia, on October 29. Crowds stormed the runway at Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) on October 29. “Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alex Ben Zvi is working with the Russian authorities to secure the well-being of Jews and Israelis at the site,” it added. “The United States vigorously condemns the antisemitic protests in Dagestan, Russia,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson wrote on social media. We call on Russian authorities to ensure their safety,” Lipstadt said.

Persons: ”, Israel, Russia Alex Ben Zvi, Adrienne Watson, Amb, Deborah E, Lipstadt, ” Lipstadt, Sergey Melikov, ” Melikov Organizations: CNN, Dagestan Health Ministry, TASS, Makhachkala Uytash, Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Red Wing Airlines, Sunday, Jewish, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ” National Security, US Locations: Russia’s, Dagestan, Israel, Makhachkala, Tel Aviv, Russia, ”, Gaza, Ramallah, United States, Dagestan Republic

☆ Ex-SOCOM head warns an Israeli invasion of Gaza will be harder than even the toughest battle against ISIS
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

More than two weeks after the Hamas terror attacks, the Israeli ground invasion is yet to begin. A ground fight in Gaza would likely feature brutal urban combat, including surprise and guerilla tactics. Current and former US military leaders warn it will be harder than the toughest battle against ISIS. AdvertisementAdvertisementCurrent and former US military leaders are warning that an Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, should the military go forward with it, will be more difficult than even the toughest battle against the Islamic State. There, in Gaza, Israeli soldiers could face a prolonged urban combat, brutal fighting which may feature heavy civilian casualties, booby traps, surprise attacks, and guerilla tactics.

Persons: —, Joseph Votel, Israel, Mostafa Alkharouf, Votel, ABC's Jonathan Karl, Lloyd Austin, we've, Austin, Hatem Ali Gaza, Biden, John Kirby Organizations: ISIS, Service, Islamic, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Army, Operations Command, Associated Press, Getty, US Central Command, US, AP, National Security Locations: Gaza, Islamic State, Syrian, Raqqa, Iraqi, Mosul, Israel, Sderot, Anadolu, Austin, Rafah, Iran

☆ Opinion: Israel ground attack on Gaza would be a long, deadly ordeal, say urban warfare experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

That’s the way two leading experts on urban warfare described the prospect of a ground attack by Israel on Hamas’ base in the streets and tunnels of Gaza. It’s in a body of knowledge on how to do this big of an urban operation as fast and effectively as possible. Israel continues to deploy soldiers and armored vehicles along the Gaza border in Zikim kibbutz of Ashkelon, Israel on October 14. In the concrete jungle of urban warfare, most of your weapons may not even penetrate the building the enemy is in. BERGEN: Doesn’t this have some implications for the “mass” involved when you launch a military operation in Gaza?

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, Liam Collins, John Spencer, ” Collins, Spencer, ” PETER BERGEN, JOHN SPENCER, LIAM COLLINS, SPENCER, Mostafa Alkharouf, You’re, Liam Collins SPENCER, COLLINS, It’s, Nir Oz, David Kilcullen, you’ve, BERGEN, There’s, Yoav Gallant, Ronen Zvulun, We’re, Let’s, Liam, John Spencer BERGEN, Ukraine that’s Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Hamas ’, Warfare, Madison Policy, New America, US Army Special Forces, Modern, US Military Academy, West, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Getty, IDF, Israel's, ISIS, Twitter, Facebook Locations: New America, Israel, Gaza, US, Madison, Afghanistan, Iraq, United States, Jerusalem, BERGEN, Gaza . Israel, Zikim, Ashkelon, Anadolu, COLLINS, Palestinian, Hamas, Israel's, Mosul, That’s, Ukraine, Russia, Let’s, Berlin, SPENCER

☆ US special counsel withdraws subpoena on Trump's political fundraising group -report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Kanishka Singh | Thomson Reuters | Kanishka Singh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Reuters In Washington Dc | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump cheer for Rep. Lauren Boebert at the Save America Rally in Mendon, Illinois, U.S. June 25, 2022. Save America is a Trump group that is separate from his campaign but played a major role raising money to support him as the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination. Trump, a Republican, founded Save America days after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden, a Democrat. Save America could not immediately be reached for comment. The federal indictment of Trump did not specifically refer to Save America.

Persons: Donald Trump, Lauren Boebert, Kate Munsch, Jack Smith, Smith, Trump, Joe Biden, Robert Mintz, Kanishka Singh, Richard Chang Organizations: Save, REUTERS, Rights, Washington Post, Trump, Republican, Democrat, U.S, Capitol, Save America, White, Thomson Locations: Mendon , Illinois, U.S, Washington, United States, New York, Georgia

☆ Opinion: The Hamas hostage crisis: How might it be resolved?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

There are rescue operations, typically by special operations forces. US special operations forces are offering their expertise and support to Israel, but are not part of a ground mission to rescue hostages. In 2010, the Taliban kidnapped British aid worker Linda Norgrove, and US Navy SEAL Team Six launched a rescue operation. Subsequent investigations revealed that Norgrove was killed by a fragmentation grenade thrown by a SEAL team member during the operation. In 2014, during a SEAL Team Six rescue operation in Yemen, American journalist Luke Somers was killed by his al Qaeda captors.

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, James W, Foley, Gilad Shalit, Linda Norgrove, Norgrove, Luke Somers Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Peter Bergen CNN Hamas, ISIS, US, US Navy, Team, Six Locations: New America, Gaza, Qatar, Iran, Qatari, Israel, Syria, Yemen, American

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