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☆ Israel vows to hit Hezbollah after rocket kills 12 on football field
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Thousands of mourners attended funeral ceremonies on Sunday for the 12 children and teenagers killed by a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights as Israel vowed swift retaliation against the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attack on Majdal Shams, the deadliest in Israel or Israeli-annexed territory since Palestinian militant group Hamas' Oct. 7 assault sparked the war in Gaza. Members of the Druze faith, which is related to Islam, Christianity and Judaism, make up more than half the 40,000-strong population of the Golan Heights. "A heavy tragedy, a dark day has come to Majdal Shams," said Dolan Abu Saleh, head of the Majdal Shams local council, in comments broadcast on Israeli television. Hezbollah initially had announced it fired rockets at Israeli military sites in the Golan Heights, but said it had "absolutely nothing" to do with the attack on Majdal Shams.

Persons: Majdal Shams, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Washington, Dolan Abu Saleh, Shams Organizations: Hamas, U.S, Hezbollah Locations: Lebanon, Majdal Shams, Golan, Israel, Gaza, United States, U.S, Britain, Egypt, Majdal, Syria, Shams

☆ The Israel-Hezbollah war that no one wants could finally blow up
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Analysis Elliott Gotkine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“We are approaching the moment of an all-out war against Hezbollah,” he said in an Israeli television interview on Saturday evening. And yet, over the past near-10 months of fighting, Israel, Hezbollah and Iran have always pulled back from what appeared to be the brink. All-out war failed to materialise. All-out war failed to materialise. The best way to avoid all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, says Blinken, is to get a ceasefire in Gaza.

Persons: Amos Hochstein, Joe Biden’s, ”, Majdal Shams, Will Hochstein’s, Israel Katz, Antony Blinken, We’re, Naftali Bennett, “, Aaron David Miller, Israel, can’t, Yoav Gallant, didn’t Organizations: CNN, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, UN, Israeli Locations: Israel, Lebanese, Golan, Chebaa, Lebanon, Majdal, United States, Iran, Beirut, Damascus, Gaza

☆ Blinken chides Beijing's 'escalating actions' at sea, concerned over Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised Beijing's "escalating and unlawful actions" in the South China Sea at a summit on Saturday, while his Russian counterpart said Washington has stoked anxiety with its plan for a nuclear deterrence with ally Seoul for the Korean peninsula. Blinken singled out China over its coast guard's hostile actions against U.S. defense treaty ally the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Philippines' small troop presence on a grounded former U.S. navy ship at the Second Thomas Shoal has angered China for years. Blinken discussed Taiwan with Wang and concerns about Beijing's recent "provocative actions", included a simulated blockade during the inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, a senior U.S. State Department official said. Wang told Blinken that although communications had been maintained between China and the United States, Washington had not stopped its containment and suppression of Beijing and had even intensified it.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, Beijing's, Blinken, Thomas Shoal, Wang, Lai Ching Organizations: China's, 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Washington, Seoul, U.S, ASEAN Regional Forum, EU, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Foreign, Taiwan, U.S . State Department Locations: Vientiane, South, China, Philippines, South China, Manila, Russia, India, Australia, Japan, Gaza, Ukraine, North, U.S, Laos, Beijing, Taiwan, United States, Washington

☆ US to announce military command revamp in Japan, official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A dealer works behind U.S., left, and Japanese national flags at a foreign exchange brokerage in Tokyo, Japan. The United States will unveil a major revamp of its military command structure in Japan and other measures to deepen defense ties with its Asian ally at high-level security talks in Tokyo on Sunday, a U.S. official said. Forces Japan as a Joint Force Headquarters, reporting to the commander of U.S. INDOPACOM," the U.S. official told a briefing ahead of the talks. The command will be headed by a three-star general, the official said, not the four-star rank that Japan had requested. Prompted by China's growing military might, Japan is stepping back from decades of postwar pacifism.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Defence Lloyd Austin, Yoko Kamikawa, Minoru Kihara, Kihara, Shin Won, Austin, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Biden, Blinken, Wang Yi Organizations: U.S, Defence, Japanese, Austin, South Korean, Forces Japan, Joint Force Headquarters, U.S ., Defense Industrial Cooperation, Sustainment Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Washington, China, North Korea, United, Asia, U.S, Ukraine, Blinken, Austin, Philippines, Laos

CNN —At least 30 people have been killed and over 100 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir-al Balah, central Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. The United Nations estimated that about 150,000 people fled Khan Younis on Monday alone, intensifying pressure on meager supplies of food and water, and places to seek shelter. Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza on October 7 after Hamas attacked southern Israel. At least 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others abducted, according to Israeli authorities. Mohammed Salem/ReutersIsraeli military action in Gaza has since killed 39,090 Palestinians and injured another 90,147, according to the Ministry of Health there.

Persons: al, Khalil Al, Khan Younis, “, Ashraf Amra, Bashar Taleb, Israel, Khan Yunis, ”, Mawasi, Mohammed Salem, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Kamala Harris, Harris Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Palestinian Civil Defense, Israel Defense Forces, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Palestinian, United Nations, Reuters, Ministry of Health, UN ., UN Relief and Works Agency, Democratic Locations: Deir, Gaza, Al, Aqsa, Khan, Israel, al, Deir al, Deir el, Rome, Washington

☆ Blinken meets China’s top diplomat in Laos as global giants keep communication lines open
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as China’s increasingly assertive moves in the South China Sea and threats toward Taiwan, have in recent years soured the Washington-Beijing relationship. In contrast, both Putin and Russia’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov have been greeted in Beijing multiple times since the invasion. against a backdrop of increasingly violent clashes between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea. “We are pleased to take note of the successful resupply today of the Second Thomas Shoal, which is the product of an agreement reached between the Philippines and China,” Blinken said. His running mate JD Vance has advocated halting military aid to Ukraine in favor of focusing on Taiwan’s defense.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Wang Yi, Joe Biden’s, China’s, Xi Jinping’s, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Wang, Dmytro Kuleba, Beijing “, ”, Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Kuleba, Lavrov, Russia …, “, ” Lavrov, Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, Beijing’s, Shoal, Thomas, ” Blinken, Biden, Donald Trump, JD Vance, Kamala Harris Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, Foreign, ASEAN, Laos –, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NATO, Ukraine, European Union, Ukrainian Foreign, South China, Republican, Democratic Locations: Hong Kong, China, Laos, Asia, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Mongolia, Ukraine, South, Taiwan, Washington, Beijing, Alaska, Russia, Moscow, Russia’s, Southeast Asia, South Korea, Manila, South China

☆ As Trump Looms, Blinken Aims to Reassure Allies on U.S. Commitment to Asia
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For three and a half years, President Biden and his aides have insisted that the United States is a Pacific power, and that its allies and partners in the region need not worry about Washington’s commitments. Now Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken plans to deliver assurances in person across six nations, his most ambitious trip in the region. Mr. Biden’s announcement last Sunday that he is no longer running for re-election sent shock waves around the world. Many of America’s allies are especially concerned about a second Trump presidency, given that former President Donald J. Trump has constantly declared that those allies are conning the United States into providing military support. They are uncertain if Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, can beat him in November.

Persons: Biden, Antony J, Blinken, Donald J, Trump, Kamala Harris Organizations: U.S, Trump, Democratic Locations: United States, Pacific, Vientiane, Laos

☆ Harris navigates Biden and Netanyahu as she considers her stance on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Up until now, Harris has been defined by working for President Joe Biden, arguably the most explicitly pro-Israel American president, even though his relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu has frayed. “President Biden brought to the White House a lifelong relationship with Bibi Netanyahu and a very mature history on the US-Israel relationship,” Murphy said. “The vice president has been a strong and longstanding supporter of Israel as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people. “One can criticize specific policies of the government of Israel while still strongly supporting the state of Israel and the people of Israel. Soifer said she is satisfied that Harris remains committed to Israel — even after being read the indirect answer about whether the vice president considers herself a Zionist.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Harris didn’t, she’s, Netanyahu, ”, Richard Haass, George W, “, Israel —, hypotheticals, Donald Trump, Doug Emhoff, Kamala, that’s, ” Emhoff, Connecticut Sen, Chris Murphy, Bibi Netanyahu, ” Murphy, It’s, Israel, Harris ’, Dean Lieberman, Phil Gordon, Obama, Gordon, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, She’ll, Harris –, Netanyahu –, Israel ’, Ritchie Torres, Trump, Abraham, Abbas Alawieh –, –, ” Alawieh, —, Israel ”, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Jason Miller, Emhoff, He’s, Halie Soifer, Soifer Organizations: CNN, Israel American, Democratic, White, Foreign Relations, Bush’s State Department, Biden, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Jewish, Senate Intelligence, Israel, Council, ”, West Wing, New York Democrat, Iron, Michigan Democratic Party, Republican Jewish Coalition, Republican, Naval Locations: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Indiana, Connecticut, Israeli, United States, Iran, U.S, America, Gaza, North Carolina, Ohio, Jerusalem, California, Los Angeles

☆ China’s hosting Palestinian and Ukrainian delegations this week. But can it play peace broker in global conflicts?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has had a busy week in which two devastating conflicts have loomed large. Kuleba’s visit was the first time in the nearly 29 months of Russia’s war on Ukraine that a high-level Ukrainian official has visited China. Official statements from Beijing and Kyiv after Wednesday’s Wang-Kuleba talks gave no indication that the Ukrainian diplomat had swayed Beijing toward Kyiv’s vision for peace. Observers say Beijing could, at some point, play a role in any potential future talks, but is unlikely to shift its relationship with Russia. But it was met with some skepticism from observers in the region given the failure of past attempts at unity.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Wang Yi, Wang, Fatah, Dmytro Kuleba –, –, Kuleba, Beijing “, ” Wang, ”, Steve Tsang, Kuleba’s, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, Zelensky, Russia ”, Antony Blinken, Mahmoud al, Mussa Abu Marzuk, Pedro Pardo, Beijing’s, Wednesday’s Wang, ” Kuleba, Xi, Chong Ja Ian, Donald Trump, Trump’s, JD Vance, ” Chong, Jonathan Fulton Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hamas, Ukrainian, SOAS China Institute, University of London, Beijing, NATO, Central Committee, Fatah, China's, Getty, Foreign Ministry, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Kyiv, Observers, West, National University of Singapore, Republican, Global, ”, Palestinian, US State Department, West Bank ”, Atlantic Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Gaza, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Russian, Kyiv, Laos, AFP, Guangzhou, Ukrainian, Moscow, China’s, ” Russia, India, Brazil, Israel

☆ What to know about the 25th Amendment and Joe Biden as Republicans allege a ‘cover-up’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Even before Biden dropped out of the race, Rep. Chip Roy, the Texas Republican, filed a resolution in June after the president’s disastrous debate performance, calling on the 25th Amendment to be used against Biden. After Biden withdrew from the race, Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Republican, wrote letters to Harris and the Cabinet officials in the Biden administration, asking them to remove Biden from office. To forcibly wrest power from a sitting president, the vice president would have to be on board, according to the text of the amendment. Why do we have the 25th Amendment? That was before the 25th Amendment, so there was no constitutional rule.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, –, Biden, Trump, Kamala Harris, Chip Roy, Mike Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, ” Johnson, Missouri Sen, Eric Schmitt, Harris, ” Schmitt, Antony Blinken, Insurrectionists, Donald Trump, John Minchillo, Betsy DeVos, Mike Pence, Kevin McCarthy, recommitted, Nancy Pelosi, John F, Kennedy, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Kennedy slumps, Jacqueline Kennedy, Clinton Hill, Ike Altgens, Richard Nixon, Reagan Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Federal, Commission, Texas Republican, Republican, Trump’s, Republicans, USA, Trump Cabinet, New York Times, Trump, Reagan Locations: Missouri, Trump, Washington ,, Dallas

☆ Optimism increases about prospects for a Gaza ceasefire deal, but families of hostages remain concerned ahead of Netanyahu’s address to Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Alex Marquardt | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

For the families of the hostages held more than nine months in Gaza, there is no time to wait. The Israeli prime minister wants to meet with Biden before the Israeli delegation formally transmits its response to the mediators, the source said. US officials have been sensitive to the Knesset recess as they remain convinced that politics are at play for Netanyahu back in Israel. US officials believe it is possible that Israelis are seeking to put maximum pressure on Hamas ahead of a deal. US and Egyptian officials have begun preparing the flood of humanitarian aid that would enter Gaza if a ceasefire deal goes into effect.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, “ It’s, ”, Netanyahu ‘, ’ Aviva Siegel, Keith, Netanyahu “, They’ve, I’ve, Siegel, “, Jon Polin, Hersh Goldberg, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Harris, Netanyahu doesn’t, Jonathan Dekel, Chen, Sagui Dekel, Satan, ” Netanyahu, Daniel Neutra, Omer, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, There’s, Israel, –, Jake Sullivan, ” Blinken, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Hamas, Democratic, Monday, US State Department, Government, Biden, UN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF Locations: Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Washington, Rafah, Egyptian, el, Arish

☆ U.S., Japan to hold high-level security talks on nuclear deterrence
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Foreign and defense ministers from Japan and the United States will hold security talks on July 28 that for the first time will cover "extended deterrence", a term used to describe the U.S. commitment to use its nuclear forces to deter attacks on allies. Foreign and defense ministers from Japan and the United States will hold security talks on July 28 that for the first time will cover "extended deterrence," a term used to describe the U.S. commitment to use its nuclear forces to deter attacks on allies. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will also hold three-way talks with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea. The security talks with Japan will also include efforts to deepen cooperation between defense industries and upgrade command structures to improve coordination between their militaries . "These historic 2+2 talks will cement our shift from a focus on Alliance protection to one of Alliance projection," U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said.

Persons: Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, we're, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Rahm Emanuel Organizations: U.S ., U.S, State, East, Pacific Affairs, U.S . Defense, Japan, United States, Alliance, East Asia, Self Defense Forces Locations: Japan, United States, Washington, Tokyo, U.S, China, Russia, North Korea, East Asia, South Korea, Pacific, Asia

☆ Netanyahu’s visit to the US could be crucial to a ceasefire deal. But does he want one?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But as detailed ceasefire negotiations aimed at turning a framework agreement into a final deal stretch into their third week, Netanyahu’s visit will still be critical to the prospects of a ceasefire in Gaza. Senior US officials say a deal is within reach, but the prospects of a deal may hinge on the answer to one key question: Does Netanyahu actually want a deal? And the right-wing coalition partners keeping him in power have threatened to bolt if Netanyahu cuts a deal that ends the war. And publicly, his rhetoric has undermined confidence in Israel’s commitment to reaching a deal that could end the war. And Netanyahu’s allies insist he is earnest in his desire to strike a hostage release deal – just the right deal, one that could allow Israel to resume fighting in Gaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, –, Joe Biden’s, Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, rebuffing, Biden, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Brendan Smialowski, Health –, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, Will Lanzoni, Netanyahu –, “, Israel, Bibi, ” Trump, Barak Ravid, ” Netanyahu Organizations: Israel CNN, Israeli, Gaza . Senior, Getty, Israel’s, Palestinian Ministry, Health, White, Israel, Republican, Convention, CNN, Trump, Republican National Convention Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Washington, Gaza ., Gaza, Israel’s, Egypt, AFP, Rafah, Milwaukee , Wisconsin

☆ Blinken Says Gaza Cease-Fire Deal Is ‘Inside the 10-Yard Line’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( David E. Sanger | Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Friday that an agreement to free hostages held in Gaza and establish a cease-fire was close, as administration officials prepared for what they expected to be a tense visit to Washington next week by Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr. Blinken, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, said that the talks were “inside the 10-yard line.” Hours later at the same conference, Mr. Sullivan said there was no expectation that an agreement would be reached before Mr. Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, a speech some American officials fear could throw up new obstacles to an agreement with Hamas. Mr. Sullivan said Mr. Biden would “focus his energy” in his meetings with Mr. Netanyahu “to get this deal done in the coming weeks.”“We are mindful that there remain obstacles in the way,” Mr. Sullivan said, “and let’s use next week to try to clear through those obstacles.”

Persons: Antony J, Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Israel’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sullivan, Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu “, ”, ” Mr Organizations: Aspen Security, Mr Locations: Gaza, Washington, Colorado

☆ Blinken says Iran’s nuclear weapon breakout time is probably down to 1-2 weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said that Iran’s breakout time – the amount of time needed to produce enough weapons grade material for a nuclear weapon – “is now probably one or two weeks” as Tehran has continued to develop its nuclear program. “Iran, because the nuclear agreement was thrown out, instead of being at least a year away from having the breakout capacity of producing fissile material for a nuclear weapon, is now probably one or two weeks away from doing that,” he said. Blinken said the policy of the US is to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and that the administration would prefer to stop that from happening through diplomacy. The State Department also said that there is no anticipation that the recent election in Iran will change the country’s behavior. “We have no expectations that this election will lead to a fundamental change in Iran’s direction or its policies,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier this month.

Persons: Antony Blinken, ”, “, Blinken, Biden, Trump, Matthew Miller, it’s, that’s Organizations: CNN, Aspen Security, US Defense Department, US, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, UN, State Department, The State Department, ”, “ Locations: Tehran, Iran, “ Iran, “

☆ Paul Whelan tells CNN he has ‘sympathy and empathy’ for Evan Gershkovich but expresses hope following sentencing
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia, told CNN he has “sympathy and empathy” for Evan Gershkovich following the conviction and sentencing of the Wall Street Journal reporter, but expressed hope that the development could open the door for a deal to secure both of their release. Whelan, who called CNN from his remote prison camp in Mordovia Friday, said he was able to watch a news broadcast about the sentencing. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier Friday that the US government is working “quite literally every day” to bring Gershkovich and Whelan home. “Look, any effort to bring any American home is going to be part of a process of back-and-forth discussion, potentially negotiation. And I don’t think that’s dependent on an election in the United States or anywhere else,” he said.

Persons: CNN — Paul Whelan, ”, Evan Gershkovich, Whelan, “, Evan, Trevor Reed, Brittney Griner, Gershkovich, ” Whelan, Antony Blinken, we’re, Paul Whelan, ” Blinken, Blinken Organizations: CNN, Wall Street Journal, US State Department, US, Aspen Security, they’ll Locations: Russia, Mordovia, Moscow, United States

CNN —A prominent North Korea expert and former CIA analyst has been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges of secretly working for the South Korean government in exchange for designer goods, Michelin star meals and $37,000 for a fund that she controlled. The indictment alleges Terry acted as a “valuable source” of information for the South Korean government. She has authored reports for both American and South Korean news outlets. South Korea is a key US ally in the Asia-Pacific, though Terry’s indictment is not the first case of alleged collusion to test the two countries’ friendship. Internal Pentagon documents leaked last year described, in remarkable detail, private conversations between two senior South Korean national security officials, whom the US had allegedly wiretapped.

Persons: Sue Mi Terry, ”, “, Terry, Louis Vuitton, Iva Zorić, ” Zorić, Antony Blinken, Lee Wolosky, ” Wolosky, emptively, George W, Bush, Barack Obama Organizations: CNN, CIA, New, South Korean, Michelin, US National Security Council, ROK, South, Council, Foreign Relations, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Foreign, Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East, FBI, Oceanic, National Security Council, Pentagon Locations: North Korea, New York, Republic of Korea, ROK, Korean, Korea, South Korea, United States, Seoul, Japan, Asia

☆ Israel’s Netzah Yehuda: How an army unit deemed abusive by the US is shaping the fight in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( Cnn S International Investigations Team | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

In this 2014 photo, Israeli soldiers in the Netzah Yehuda battalion are seen taking part in training in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, near the Syrian border. While he was in Netzah Yehuda, he said, the battalion’s commanders played a key role in perpetuating a culture of violence, both by standing by as it happened and promoting it. The findings by the expert panel would have been enough to disqualify a military unit from any other country, the officials said. Lt. Col. Nitai Okashi oversaw the Netzah Yehuda battalion from 2018 to 2020. Lt. Col. Uri Levy was in charge of Netzah Yehuda from 2014 to 2016.

Persons: Yehuda, Menahem Kahana, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Mike Johnson, Israel “, Blinken, Netzah Yehuda, –, ” Charles Blaha, they’re, ”, “, Biden, Israel, Netzah, Ahmad Jamil Fahd, Sanad, Shin Bet, Gil Cohen, Josh Paul, Paul, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Amanpour, ” Paul, Eyad Baba, Joe Biden, Leahy, Sen, Patrick Leahy, Charles Blaha, Blaha, Omar Assad, Assad, Netzah Yehuda –, Mati Shevach, Nasser Nasser, ” Blaha, Shevach, Nitai Okashi, Okashi, Der Spiegel, , Uri Levy, Levy, Johnson, don’t, ” Netzah Yehuda, Col, Shlomo Shiran, Katie Polglase, Benjamin Brown, Barbara Arvanitidis, Alex Platt, Mark Baron, Augusta Anthony, Alberto Mier, Toby Hancock, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Laura Smith, Eliza Mackintosh, Dan Wright, Matt Wells Ami Kaufman, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Israel Defense Forces, US State Department, State Department, Getty, IDF, State Department’s Office, Security, Human Rights CNN, Congress, Department, Israel Border Police, Internal Security Forces, ” CNN, Israeli Air Force Base, Magen, State, Human, Kfir Brigade, AP, Netzah, Urban Warfare Training Center, CBS, Battalion, Kfir Infantry Brigade, West Bank ., Jerusalem Brigade, Britain’s Guardian, Okashi, Israeli, Augusta Anthony Visual Locations: Israeli, United States, Gaza, Golan, Syrian, AFP, Palestinian, Israel, Ramallah, Rahat, Jerusalem, Jiljilya, Col, West Bank, Jiljiliya, Beit Hanoun

☆ Russia targeting Ukrainian airfields before F-16s arrive shows its fear of the jets, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementRussian strikes have been recorded at multiple Ukrainian bases in recent weeks. This includes Russia claiming to have hit Ukraine's Mirgorod air base, 100 miles from the border with Russia, destroying five Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets. "I think their belief is that the more Western weaponry Ukraine has of all sorts, the more formidable its military will become," he said. A Ukrainian Air Force official also said in June that Ukraine would store some of its F-16s abroad, so Russia cannot attack them. It's hard to take out airfieldsRobinson said that destroying air bases is not an easy task.

Persons: —, it's, Sukhoi Su, Michael Clarke, Jasmonet Holmes, US Air Force Rajan Menon, Columbia University's, Tim Robinson, Matthew Savill, Chanceler, Robinson, Ukraine's, Clarke, Antony Blinken Organizations: Service, Business, Russia, Air Force, Staff, US Air Force, Columbia, Columbia University's Saltzman Institute of War, Peace Studies, UK's Royal Aeronautical Society, Royal United Services Institute, Chanceler Nardone, Ukrainian Air Force Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Soviet, Russian, Leiria, Portugal, Chanceler Nardone Ukraine

☆ Russia is already fighting NATO, just not with tanks and fighter jets, argues a former top US general
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Recent covert acts of sabotage are far from the level of aggression and brutality that Russia has put on display in Ukraine. But make no mistake, a former top US general argued this week, Moscow is already fighting NATO. "We face wider Russian aggression directed at our own democracies, from hybrid attacks to threats in the high north," he added. "We, ourselves, have been experiencing hybrid attacks from Russia for decades, so that's why the threat has been quite clear, what we're facing." The Russian hybrid attacks were a notable discussion point on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington this week.

Persons: —, Ben Hodges, Vladimir Putin's, Vladimir Putin, Pavel Byrkin, John Healey, We've, Andris Sprūds, Healey, Hodges, Antony Blinken, Blinken, It's Organizations: Service, NATO, Business, US Army, NATO Public Forum, Ukraine, Security, Sputnik, Public, Latvian Defense, Alliance Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, US Army Europe, Washington ,, Russian, Baltic, Washington

☆ NATO allies are discussing reclaiming some Chinese-owned infrastructure in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Kayla Tausche | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —NATO officials are discussing taking action to reclaim some Chinese-owned infrastructure projects in Europe should a wider conflict with Russia break out in the east of the continent, three officials involved in the discussions told CNN. A decade ago, when Europe was still crawling out of the economic crater caused by the global financial crisis, the promise of infrastructure funding from Chinese-owned investment firms seemed like a major windfall. The fear, according to one US official, is that Beijing could use the infrastructure it owns in Europe to provide material assistance to Russia if the conflict were to expand. The discussions reflect an increasing focus on China by the NATO alliance. A NATO official said that if a war erupted, the infrastructure “would almost certainly be nationalized, or nations would temporarily assume operating control, under emergency security measures.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Kishida, ” Blinken, Jens Stoltenberg, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand Organizations: CNN, NATO, Washington, Moscow, Beijing, Initiative, Helsinki Shipyard –, US, Ukraine, European Union Locations: Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Beijing, China, NATO, Eastern Europe, Baltic, Finland, Canada, Japan, East Asia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, France, Washington

☆ Zelenskyy says the problem with the coming F-16 fighter jets is the same one Ukraine had with the Abrams tanks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Chris Panella | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewWestern-provided F-16 fighter jets are on their way to Ukraine and set to start flying missions later this summer. But they may not yet be enough to make a difference on the battlefield, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated in a discussion this week on what Ukraine needs, comparing the jets to the US-made Abrams tanks that Ukraine got last fall. "The problem with F-16," the Ukrainian president said, "is the number and the dates." The US sent only 31 M1A1 Abrams in total, and they were delivered to Ukraine months after British and German tanks. For comparison, Ukraine received about 300 US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, nearly ten times more than the number of Abrams sent.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Abrams, Bret Baier, Zelenskyy, Derek Seifert, Zelenskky, haven't, Michael Currie, Antony Blinken's, it's, Zachariah Lopez, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Service, Business, Fox News, Reagan Institute, Abrams Ukraine, NATO, Egyptian, Force, US Air Force, US, Abrams, Bradley, Getty, Ukraine —, Ukrainian Air Force, Osan Air Base, US Air Force Tech, White, National Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Washington , DC, Russia, Egypt, Denmark, Netherlands, Soviet, South Korea

☆ NATO’s Pledges to Ukraine Fall Short for a Counteroffensive This Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Lara Jakes | Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Despite billions of dollars in additional weapons and security assistance that NATO announced this week, allied officials said Ukraine would not be ready to launch a dramatic counteroffensive or retake large swaths of territory from Russia until next year. Donations of missiles, combat vehicles, ammunition and air defenses from the United States and European countries will take weeks, if not months, to reach the front lines. Some of the newly committed weapons have not yet been bought or built. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said long-anticipated F-16s fighter jets would be delivered to Ukraine this summer. “This is a huge disappointment for me personally, because Ukrainians are expecting that those goods will come, this military equipment will reach Ukraine, but it’s not happening.”

Persons: Antony J, Blinken, “, Gitanas Nauseda, ” Organizations: NATO Locations: Ukraine, Russia, United States, Washington, Lithuania

☆ Russia's brutal missile strike on a Ukrainian children's hospital just before the big NATO summit appears to be backfiring
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementEmergency officials and civilians conduct search and rescue operations among the rubble of Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital on Monday. The deadly Russian missile attack saw child cancer patients evacuated and moved with medical tubes still in their bodies. Women hold patients at Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital that was damaged during Russian missile strikes in Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday. He said that "when you hit not just a hospital or a children's hospital —and not just a children's hospital, but a children's hospital in which there are children were being treated for cancer — it doesn't get much worse than that in terms of brutality." A UN investigation found the children's hospital likely took a direct hit from a Russian missile, likely a Kh-101.

Persons: —, Kyiv's, Joe Biden, Biden, Gleb Garanich, Rajan Menon, Columbia University's, Russia's, Menon, Mykhailo Podolyak, Beata Zawrzel, Keir Starmer, Aleksandr Gusev, Getty Images Biden, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Antony Blinken, Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken, ORI AVIRAM, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Jake Epstein Organizations: Service, NATO, Ukraine, Business, Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Getty, NATO's, Ohmatdyt, Russian, Monday, REUTERS, Columbia, Columbia University's Saltzman Institute of War, Peace Studies, NATO Summit, UN, Children's Clinic, Getty Images, Ukrainian Foreign, MOD, Moscow Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Okhmatdyt, Anadolu, Washington ,, Russia, Russian, Ukrainian

☆ Biden didn't show up for an early evening meeting with the German chancellor because he had to go to bed: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden canceled an early evening meeting with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz at the last minute because he had to go to bed, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. According to the report, the chancellor and his aides were surprised by Biden's absence and Blinken's appearance. Related storiesThe Journal report said that the White House has consistently reduced Biden's daily schedule and shielded him from impromptu meetings. AdvertisementBoth CNN and The New York Times have reported that Biden told governors he needed to get more sleep and stop holding events after 8 p.m. The White House has not responded to these claims.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, Antony Blinken, Biden, Axios, Donald Trump, ABC's George Stephanopolous, Abigail Disney, Walt Disney's grandniece Organizations: Service, Wall Street, Business, State Department, White, CNN, The New York Times, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, Trump, Alliance, Biden Locations: Germany, Ukraine, China, Russia, Washington

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