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☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

“Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence,” Mr. Biden said as President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine watched from the audience. I respectfully suggest the answer is no.”“We have to stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow,” Mr. Biden continued. “Ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin’s promises.”Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Zelensky received strong applause from some of the delegations in the hall, but many others did not clap. On Tuesday evening, Mr. Biden and Jill Biden were to host a reception for other world leaders at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “This is clearly a genocide,” Mr. Zelensky said.

Persons: Biden, Mr, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Vladimir V, Moscow, ”, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin, “, Biden’s, Kevin McCarthy, we’ve, Lloyd J, Austin III, Ukraine’s, Xi Jinping, Jill Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Netanyahu, “ Slava Ukraini Organizations: appeasing Moscow, United Nations General Assembly, Republicans, United Nations, International Criminal Court, . Security, Mr, White, Pentagon, Capitol, Defense, General, appeasing, United, Soviet Union —, Turkmenistan —, Metropolitan Museum of Art, United Nations ’ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, Washington, New York, Russia’s, Germany, China, Beijing, Libya, “, United Nations, Soviet Union, Soviet Union — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, China’s, Brazil, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Moldova, Georgia, Syria, Belarus, Baltic

☆ Biden Nominates Adm. Lisa Franchetti to Lead the Navy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( John Ismay | More About John Ismay | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Since the days of John Paul Jones and the American Revolution, the top job in the U.S. Navy has gone to a man, but that will change if President Biden’s pick to become the service’s top uniformed leader is confirmed. The White House announced on Friday that President Biden intends to nominate Adm. Lisa Franchetti to become the Navy’s highest-ranking officer following the retirement of Adm. Michael M. Gilday this summer. Lloyd J. Austin III, the secretary of defense, said he was proud that Admiral Franchetti had been selected to be the first woman to lead the Navy and to serve as a permanent member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “She will continue to inspire all of us,” Mr. Austin said in a statement. Currently the Navy’s vice chief, Admiral Franchetti will serve in an acting role as the Navy’s top officer, awaiting confirmation by the Senate — a process that Senator Tommy Tuberville, Republican of Alabama, has blocked for hundreds of admirals and generals in an attempt to force the Pentagon to drop a policy offering time off and travel reimbursement to service members who need to go out of state for abortions.

Persons: John Paul Jones, Biden’s, Biden, Lisa Franchetti, Michael M, Lloyd J, Austin III, Franchetti, “, ” Mr, Austin, Admiral Franchetti, Tommy Tuberville Organizations: American, U.S . Navy, White, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Senate, Republican, Pentagon Locations: Alabama

Senior military officials from the United States and China used a conference in Singapore to push competing visions of Asia’s future security: a U.S.-led safety net of well-armed partnerships versus a region where China is the center of a new international order. On Sunday, the Chinese defense minister, General Li Shangfu, methodically laid out criticisms of the United States and presented Beijing as a contrast in leadership, increasingly confident in using its political, economic and military power to keep Asia stable. “Certain countries willfully interfered in other countries’ internal matters and regional affairs, frequently resort to unilateral sanctions and armed coercion,” General Li said in an unmistakable reference to the United States and its allies. They “create chaos in a region and then walk away, leaving a mess behind,” he said. “We never want to let this be replicated in the Asia-Pacific.”The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore where Mr. Austin and General Li spoke is one of the few regular forums where Beijing and Washington try to publicly win over Asian policymakers and publics.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, —, General Li Shangfu, General Li, ”, “, Austin Organizations: U.S . Defense, Mr Locations: United States, China, Singapore, U.S, Ukraine, Asia, Beijing, Washington, Britain, Germany, Canada, American

☆ U.S. Defense Chief Vows to Continue Military Actions Near China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Chris Buckley | Damien Cave | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

This year, however, the Chinese defense minister, General Li Shangfu, declined to meet Mr. Austin. All these are sore points for Beijing, especially Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. “We won’t be deterred by dangerous operational behavior at sea or in international airspace,” Mr. Austin told the audience of military officials and experts from across Asia and beyond. “The People’s Republic of China continues to conduct an alarming number of risky intercepts of U.S. and allied aircraft flying lawfully in international airspace. “We’ve all just seen another troubling case of aggressive and unprofessional flying by the P.R.C.,” he said, referring to China.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, General Li Shangfu, Austin, Mr, ” Organizations: United, Washington, Taiwan Locations: United States, China, Singapore, Beijing, Washington, Austin, Taiwan, Asia, Republic of China

The United States pressed Beijing on two fronts this weekend, warning both of the near-term risks of military mishaps and of the looming dangers of a nuclear arms rivalry, prompting a vehement accusation from a Chinese general that Washington was stoking confrontation. In speeches from President Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on Friday, and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on Saturday in Singapore, the Biden administration sought to draw China toward talks on the rising military perils. Mr. Austin also indicated that the United States would keep operating military ships and planes in international seas and skies near China despite recent close calls with Chinese forces, and also keep providing support to Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing sees as its own territory. Both are sore points with China. “We won’t be deterred by dangerous operational behavior at sea or in international airspace,” Mr. Austin told a gathering of military officials and experts at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual meeting in Singapore.

Persons: Washington, Jake Sullivan, Lloyd J, Austin III, Biden, Austin, Mr Organizations: Biden’s, Defense Locations: States, Beijing, Singapore, China, United States, Taiwan

☆ Biden to Name Air Force Chief to Top Military Post, Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — President Biden is expected to announce soon that he has chosen Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the Air Force chief of staff, to become the country’s most senior military officer, according to two U.S. officials. General Brown would be only the second Black man to become chairman, following Colin L. Powell, who served in that position during the presidencies of George H.W. General Brown’s appointment and confirmation would also mean that along with Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, the top two Pentagon leadership positions would be inhabited by African American men for the first time in American history. It would be a singular step for minorities in a military whose leadership has long been dominated by white men.

☆ The Full Guest List for Biden’s State Dinner With South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Chris Cameron | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The White House invited more than 180 guests to the state dinner hosted by President Biden for President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea on Wednesday night, including government officials, athletes, business leaders and prominent Asian Americans. Here is the full list of those invited as provided by the White House. THE PRESIDENT AND DR. BIDENHIS EXCELLENCY YOON SUK YEOL, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND MRS. KIM KEON HEEMichael ArdenLloyd J. Austin III, secretary of defense, and Charlene AustinJoe Bae and Janice BaeCharlie Baker, former governor of MassachusettsStephen K. Benjamin, senior adviser to the president for public engagement, and DeAndrea BenjaminRepresentative Ami Bera, Democrat of California, and Dr. Janine Bera

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