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In President-elect Trump, these ascendant insurgents across the pond see a key ally, someone who shares their mix of authoritarianism, populism and extreme hostility to immigration. “We have big plans for the future!” posted Hungary’s Prime Minister Vikor Orbán, an influential Trump friend and ally, calling it “a much needed victory for the World!”Orban visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida earlier this year. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at an EU Summit in Budapest on Friday. The AfD is an anti-immigration, anti-Muslim political party that is being monitored by the country’s domestic intelligence agency for suspected extremism — something it denies. Argentina’s far right, libertarian president, Javier Milei, told Trump he could “count on Argentina to carry out your task.” And Israel’s ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reacted with a “Yesssss.”

Persons: Donald Trump’s, ”, Vikor Orbán, Trump, ” Orban, András, “, László, aren’t, Viktor Orban, Petr David Josek, Geert Wilders, Giorgia Meloni, Alice Weidel, Stefan Keuter, Christoph Reichwein, Siegbert Droese, ” Stefan Keuter, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Keuter, “ Trump, Javier Milei, Itamar Ben, Gvir Organizations: Trump, Hungary’s, Fidesz, NBC, EU, Washington, WIN, Getty, NBC News, Young Republicans, Nazi, National Locations: Lago, Florida, Budapest, Netherlands, Italy, Washington, Rome, Germany, Essen , Germany, Ukraine, Europe, Argentina

☆ 'Western democracy is in a state of crisis,' German member of Parliament says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'Western democracy is in a state of crisis,' German member of Parliament saysNorbert Röttgen, German member of Parliament for the Christian Democratic Union party and member of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses current security challenges for Western democracies.

Persons: Norbert Röttgen Organizations: Christian Democratic Union, Bundestag Foreign Affairs

Israel’s Knesset opened its winter session on Monday against a backdrop of war in Gaza and Lebanon and after an Israeli strike on Iran on Saturday. UNRWAThe Knesset was set to debate on Monday bills that would make it illegal for Israeli officials to cooperate with UNRWA, the main U.N. agency that aids Palestinians. The bills would effectively shut down the agency’s work in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem within 90 days. According to the Jerusalem Post, the first bill states that UNRWA could no longer operate in Israel, while the second would abrogate the treaty that underpins the relationship between UNRWA and Israel. The Knesset has already voted in favor of advancing the bill and it is being prepared for a second and third reading.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Yuli Edelstein, Kan, Mr, Edelstein, Israel’s, Matthew Miller, UNWRA, Adalah Organizations: Likud, Division, Lawmakers, UNRWA, West Bank, United Nations, Department, Police Locations: Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, East Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, United States

☆ House to vote to condemn Biden, Harris and others over 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Summer-Concepcion-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Summer Concepcion | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The House is set to vote Wednesday to formally condemn President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other officials over their handling of the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The resolution also points to Harris’ April 2021 comments to CNN that she played a central role in Biden's decision to pull troops from Afghanistan. Former President Donald Trump and Republican allies have sought to blame Harris for the Afghanistan withdrawal after she jumped into the presidential race in July. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, Trump’s running mate, last month blasted Harris over the administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Kamala Harris is disgraceful.”Family members of the service members killed in the Abbey Gate attack did not invite Biden or Harris to Arlington National Cemetery last month to commemorate the attack's third anniversary, a White House official and a Harris aide told NBC News.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Michael McCaul, Harris ’, Blinken, Matthew Miller, Donald Trump, Harris, Sen, JD Vance, Trump’s, hasn’t, ” Vance, Biden Organizations: House Foreign, CNN, Foreign Affairs, United Nations, Assembly, State Department, Republican, Arlington National, White, NBC News Locations: U.S, Afghanistan, Texas, Kabul, New York, R, Ohio, Arlington

Following Donald Trump’s lead, Johnson has tied a six-month funding bill to the SAVE Act, which would overhaul voting laws to require people to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for a “clean” funding bill that would keep the government open until December, after the election. The government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1 unless Republicans and Democrats strike a deal to extend funding. Because of their miniscule majority, House Republicans can only afford four GOP defections if all lawmakers vote. “I’m a firm NO on bankrupting the nation and a YES on election integrity,” Mills said.

Persons: Mike Johnson’s, Donald Trump’s, Johnson, Chuck Schumer, Joe Wilson, Cory Mills, Jim Banks, Matt Rosendale, Andy Biggs of, Tim Burchett, “ I’ve, ” Burchett, ” Mills, Trump, don’t Organizations: WASHINGTON, SAVE, Democrats, Republicans, GOP, CRs, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs Locations: Cory Mills of Florida, Jim Banks of Indiana, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Tennessee, ”, China

Longtime Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., was taken at the hospital Tuesday night and is receiving treatment after collapsing at an event in Washington, according to a congressional aide with knowledge of the situation. Later Tuesday night, Wilson's office confirmed the news in a post on X. "Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) was taken ill and is being evaluated at a local hospital in Washington, DC," his office said. Wilson, 77, was present for two vote series in the House on Tuesday afternoon and was joking with reporters just off the floor. Wilson has represented South Carolina in the House of Representatives since 2001.

Persons: Joe Wilson, Wilson, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: Foreign Affairs Committee, NATO Locations: Washington, Washington ,, Philippines, Australia, Europe, South Carolina

☆ Senior Republicans urge Biden to lift restrictions on Ukraine hitting targets deep inside Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Kylie Atwood | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —A group of key House Republicans have written to President Joe Biden urging him to lift the restrictions on the use of US-provided long-range weapons systems and allow Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russia. The UK is also considering whether to allow Ukraine to strike deeper inside Russia with its own long-range system, the Storm Shadow. “No change to policy,” one senior administration official said, adding that there is currently no openness to lifting restrictions. Last month, senior Ukrainians presented US officials with targets they would like to strike in Russia during a visit to Washington. But the Ukrainians say there are weapons productions facilities that would be within reach of the ATACMS inside Russia that are worthy military targets, a source familiar with the Ukrainians position told CNN.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Antony Blinken’s, Biden, Blinken, David Lammy, Keir Starmer, “, Michael McCaul, Michael Turner, Mike Rogers, Ken Calvert, Thomas Kean, Richard Hudson, “ Biden, Harris, Donald Trump, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, ”, ” Blinken, “ It’s, Zelensky, ” John Kirby, It’s, CNN’s MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, Republicans, British, UK, House Foreign, House Intelligence, House Armed Services, House, Helsinki, Republican, Defense, Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Ukraine “, Ukraine, Russian, US National Security Council Locations: Kyiv, Russia, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Washington, London, U.S, Germany, Russia’s Kursk, Iranian, Crimea

☆ Ukraine's Kursk offensive shows it could win the war if the West ended its weapon restrictions, European official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Read previewUkraine's Kursk offensive shows what the country could achieve if its allies dropped their weapons restrictions, a leading European official said. It's also complicated Russian plans for offensive operations later this year, Ukraine's military spymaster, Kyrylo Budanov, told Ukrainian radio station Radio Charter on Saturday, per a translation by the Institute for the Study of War. Western allies lifted some restrictions in May, allowing Ukraine to strike Russian troops building up at its borders, but it's still not allowed to use Western weapons to carry out deep strikes . "There's no one capability that will, in and of itself, be decisive in this campaign," Austin said, per Politico.

Persons: —, Marko Mihkelson, Mihkelson, Gen, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, It's, Kyrylo Budanov, it's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin Organizations: Service, West, Estonia's Foreign Affairs, Business, CNN, Radio, Institute for, Ramstein, American Enterprise, Defense Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russia's Kursk, Russia, Kursk, Pokrovsk, Western, Germany

☆ With $20 Billion Weapons Deal, U.S. Aims to Help Israel and Deter Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Lara Jakes | Johnatan Reiss | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Top NewsFor months, the Biden administration waited to formally approve $20 billion in future American weapons sales to Israel, including F-15s and medium-range missiles. Almost none of the arms — which also include tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortars — are expected to be delivered to Israel for several years at least. The White House has tried to contain domestic opposition to arms for Israel in Congress, while attempting to keep the war against Hamas from escalating into a wider regional conflict. “We will continue to do what is necessary to ensure Israel can defend itself in the face of these threats.”Image An Israeli F-15 in southern Israel last year. Here is a look at the arms sales that the Biden administration notified Congress on Aug. 13 that it has approved.

Persons: Biden, Antony J, Blinken, ”, “, Jack Guez, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, —, Bradley Bowman, Mr, Bowman, Israel “, Northrop Grumman, AMRAAMs Organizations: Department, Agence France, Getty, U.S . Army, Foundation of Defense of Democracies, Boeing Corp, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Dynamics, Northrop, Street Journal, CNN, State Department, Tactical, Oshkosh Corp, General Dynamic Ordnance, U.S, AIM, RTX Corp Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Congress, Israeli, Washington, Iran, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Path Is Cleared for One of the Largest U.S. Arms Sales to Israel in Years
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Robert Jimison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Mr. Meeks said that the sale would take years to deliver and that he supported the Biden administration’s plans to hold up the sale of other munitions. The department declined to comment on the arms orders, including on whether it would soon give that formal notification. Congressional sign-off on arms sales has almost always been a foregone conclusion when it comes to Israel. “I don’t want the kinds of weapons that Israel has to be utilized, to have more death,” Mr. Meeks said in an interview with CNN in April. Both of the top Republicans on those panels, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho and Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, immediately approved.

Persons: Gregory W, Meeks, Mr, Benjamin L, Cardin, Haiyun Jiang, Biden, ” Mr, “, ”, Jim Risch of, Michael McCaul of, Edward Wong Organizations: Biden, Democratic holdouts, Foreign Affairs Committee, White House, National Security Council, Democrat, Foreign Relations, Republicans, The New York, State Department, Hamas, CNN, The State Department, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Israel, New York, Gaza, Maryland, United States, Jim Risch of Idaho, Michael McCaul of Texas

☆ After Delay, Top Democrats in Congress Sign Off on Sale of F-15 Jets to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Robert Jimison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Biden administration plan to sell $18 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Israel is moving forward after two top Democratic holdouts in Congress signed off on the deal, according to multiple people familiar with the sale. Representative Gregory W. Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, who had publicly opposed the transfer by citing Israel’s tactics during its campaign in Gaza, has lifted his hold on the deal, one of the largest U.S. arms sales to Israel in years. Mr. Meeks said that the sale would take years to deliver and that he supported the Biden administration’s plans to hold up the sale of other munitions. “I have been in close touch with the White House and National Security Council about this and other arms cases for Israel, and have repeatedly urged the administration to continue pushing Israel to make significant and concrete improvements on all fronts when it comes to humanitarian efforts and limiting civilian casualties,” Mr. Meeks said in a statement. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, who had delayed signing off but never publicly said he was blocking the deal, also agreed to allow it to go forward, joining top Republicans who had agreed to the plan months ago.

Persons: Biden, Gregory W, Meeks, Mr, Benjamin L, Cardin Organizations: Democratic holdouts, Foreign Affairs Committee, Biden, White House, National Security Council, Democrat, Foreign Relations, Republicans Locations: Israel, New York, Gaza, Maryland

☆ How Joe Biden’s red line on Israel went from a ‘parlor game’ to a murky milestone
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Many Democrats, along with foreign leaders who the US counts as allies, say Israel’s actions clearly cross a red line – if not Biden’s, then their own and those of international law. Would that be a red line?” MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart asked during an interview. His answer, with its incomplete sentences, did not state what might constitute a violation of the red line or what his response would be. “I went over the red line issue, which I know is the obsession of this group, last week. Whether Biden drew a red line or not, his counterpart in Israel found reason to dismiss the president’s comments.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Sara Jacobs, Antony Blinken, “ I’m, ” Sullivan, Israel, Netanyahu, –, Jonathan Capehart, I’m, ”, … ” Biden, didn’t, I’ve, it’s, we’ve, ” Netanyahu, CNN’s Erin Burnett, “ We’re, Blinken, Kamala Harris, John Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: Philadelphia CNN, CNN, Democrats, Foreign, White, Biden, Press, Gaza Health Ministry, White House Locations: Rafah, Israel, United States, California, American, Gaza, “, I’m, That’s

☆ Opinion: On Ukraine, Biden is taking Putin’s threats too seriously
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Opinion Adam Kinzinger | Ben Hodges | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —There seems to be a doctrine within the National Security Council in the Biden administration: escalation aversion. Ukraine requested Javelins and Stingers before the full-scale war began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. After the battle of Kyiv was won, Ukraine requested MiG-29s, which Poland agreed to provide in exchange for Western fighters. Ukraine requested Abrams tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles for trench warfare in the east. During the Cold War, nuclear threats were not uncommon, but the US didn’t keep them from advancing its foreign policy interests.

Persons: Adam Kinzinger, Kinzinger, Ben Hodges, Biden, Vladmir Putin, Putin, Let’s, Abrams, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Annegret Hilse, Donald Trump’s Organizations: CNN, Republican, House Foreign Affairs, Air National Guard, US Army Europe, US Army, National Security Council, Ukraine, MiG, Western, Patriot, HIMARS, Bradley, ATACMS, NATO, Kyiv, Twitter, Facebook Ukraine Locations: Illinois, Ukraine, France, Germany, Russian, Russia, Kyiv, Poland, West, Vietnam, Afghanistan

☆ Weapons are on the way, U.S. lawmakers tell Taiwan during visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Ryan Nobles | Frank Thorp V | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Weapons that Taiwan has ordered from the U.S. are coming, a senior U.S. lawmaker said Monday, as a bipartisan House delegation met with the Beijing-claimed island's new president. "We are moving forward on those weapons systems," Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said at a news conference in Taipei after he and other lawmakers met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. McCaul said the weapons' importance was underscored by the "armada" of Chinese ships and planes that engaged in "punishment" drills around Taiwan last week in response to Lai's inauguration speech. In that speech, Lai, the former vice president, called on China to cease its threats and "face the reality" of Taiwan's existence. In translated remarks before his closed-door meeting with the lawmakers, Lai said the delegation's visit "demonstrates your firm support for the new government as well as the people of Taiwan."

Persons: Michael McCaul, Lai Ching, McCaul, Lai Organizations: Foreign Affairs Locations: Taiwan, U.S, Beijing, Texas, Taipei, China

☆ U.S. Lawmakers Visit Taiwan and Vow Support in Face of Chinese Military Drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Catie Edmondson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After China performed two days of military drills intended to punish Taiwan, Representative Michael McCaul of Texas on Monday stood alongside the island nation’s newly elected president, Lai Ching-te, and issued a promise. “The United States must maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or coercion that would jeopardize the security of the people of Taiwan,” Mr. McCaul, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said. “That is what we stand for, and that is what we continue to say.”Mr. McCaul, a Republican, traveled this week to Taipei with a bipartisan delegation of other American lawmakers in an attempt, he said, to show that the U.S. government stood in lock step with Mr. Lai and Taiwan. The trip, which will last through the week, comes at a fraught time: Just days after Mr. Lai was sworn into office and vowed in his inaugural address to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty, China responded by surrounding the self-governing island with naval vessels and military aircraft. Before the lawmakers arrived, the Chinese government had publicly warned them to “seriously abide by the one-China policy” and “not to schedule any congressional visit to Taiwan.”

Persons: Michael McCaul of, Lai Ching, ” Mr, McCaul, Mr, Lai, “, ” Organizations: Foreign Affairs, Republican Locations: China, Taiwan, Michael McCaul of Texas, United States, Taipei, Lai

☆ US lawmakers vow to bolster Taiwan’s defense with bipartisan visit days after China’s ‘punishment’ military drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —US lawmakers vowed to bolster Taiwan’s deterrence against China on Monday during a bipartisan congressional visit to the self-governing democracy just days after Beijing surrounded the island with massive military exercises. US Representative Michael McCaul, Republican-Texas, has vowed to bolster Taiwan's deterrence against China. China’s military drills, he said, were “to express their displeasure with President Lai, a president democratically elected by the people of Taiwan.”But he added they had another objective. The delegation also met with Lai, Taiwan’s new leader, on Monday morning. China responded with a show of military force and later imposed sanctions on McCaul.

Persons: Lai Ching, Michael McCaul, ”, McCaul, Lai, ” McCaul, China’s, Xi Jinping, Xi, “, Mao Ning, Michael Brochstein, Lin Chia, ” “ It’s, ” Lin, Taiwan’s, “ Taiwan’s, ” Lai, Ronald Reagan’s, Tsai Ing, Nancy Pelosi’s Organizations: CNN, China, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Taiwan, US, Party, Republican, Ministry, Taiwan’s Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Texas, United States, America, People’s Republic of China

☆ Bipartisan congressional delegation visits Taiwan following days of Chinese military drills around island
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Avery Lotz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Sunday following the election of the island’s new president and after days of Chinese military drills. The US will continue to stand by our steadfast partner and work to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. US officials condemned the drills, with the State Department urging the Chinese to “act with restraint.”Two years ago, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island, marking the first time a US House speaker had traveled to Taiwan in 25 years. Her visit was met with days of large-scale military drills and warnings of a “severe impact” on US-China relations from the Chinese government. In April 2023, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy similarly defied threats from China, presenting a united front with then-President Tsai Ing-wen in a California meeting.

Persons: Michael McCaul, Lai Ching, China’s, Putin, Xi, ” McCaul, Xi Jinping, ”, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Tsai Ing, “, Antony Blinken Organizations: CNN — House Foreign, Communist Party, US, Taiwan, House Foreign Affairs Committee, ” CNN, State Department Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, “ Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, America, Asia, China, California

☆ Microsoft’s UAE deal could reportedly involve transfer of key U.S. chips and AI technology abroad
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. officials have said that AI systems could pose national security risks, for example by making it easier to engineer chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. The Biden administration in October required the makers of the largest AI systems to share details about them with the U.S. government. Microsoft executives said the agreement has safeguards to protect Microsoft's technology and prevent it from being used by Chinese entities to train AI systems. The Commerce Department already requires notifications and, in several regions, export licenses to send AI chips abroad. Microsoft executives said the company welcomes a debate on a new legal framework governing the transfer of AI technology and that the deal with G42 requires the UAE firm to comply with U.S. regulations as they evolve.

Persons: Brad Smith, Smith, Biden, Michael McCaul, we're Organizations: Microsoft, United Arab, Reuters, U.S ., U.S . Department of Commerce, U.S . House, Commerce Department Locations: Madrid, Spain, United Arab Emirates, U.S, UAE

☆ Congressmen demand answers after CNN report contradicts Pentagon investigations into deadly Kabul airport attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The reporting included a video obtained by CNN captured by a Marine’s GoPro camera that had not been seen publicly in full before. Much of the controversy about the Pentagon’s two investigations into the attack has focused on gunfire in the aftermath of the blast. “Lastly, why do journalists have this video footage and the Department does not? The recent discovery of new video released by CNN directly contradicts and exposes outright lies from our recent briefing last month from CENTCOM officials,” the Gold Star families said in a statement they sent to CNN. Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images/FileThe evidence also suggests the Pentagon may have more video footage than it has acknowledged in public.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin “, –, ”, Mike Waltz, Darrell Issa, Tim Burchett, Brian Mast, Rich McCormick, Keith Self, Cory Mills, Chris Smith –, Sayed Ahmadi, Ahmadi, “, ” James Adams, Hamid, Jared Schmitz, Humberto Sanchez, Taylor Hoover, Nicole Gee, Kareem Nikoui, Hunter Lopez, Rylee McCollum –, Biden, Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM, I’m, Haroon Sabawoon, Rob Lodewick, ” Lodewick Organizations: CNN —, Defense, CNN, Pentagon, House Foreign Affairs, Command, Marines, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Department, Gold Star, Department of Defense, Biden Administration, “, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Army, DoD, Service Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, US

☆ US soldier arrested in Russia to be detained for two months
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Caitlin Danaher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An American soldier arrested in Russia on suspicion of theft will be detained for two months, a Russian district court said Tuesday. A Russian Foreign Ministry representative told Russian state media TASS on Tuesday that the case is “not related to politics or espionage.”“As far as we understand, this is a purely domestic crime. The arrest comes at a time of huge tension between the US and Russia as the war with Ukraine continues. The soldier was stationed in South Korea when he took leave to travel to Russia on his own, according to another US official. “I am deeply concerned by reports that a US Army officer has been detained in Russia,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said Monday.

Persons: –, Gordon Black, Evan Gershkovich, Marine Paul Whelan, Michael McCaul, “ Putin, —, ” CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, Russian Foreign Ministry, TASS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US State Department, Street, Marine, US Army, ”, Foreign, State Department Locations: American, Russia, Russian, Pervomaisky, Vladivostok, Ukraine, South Korea, Cavazos, Texas

☆ A high-stakes report looms over Biden on whether Israel violated international law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Kylie Atwood | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

Nic Antaya/Getty Images Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate on the New York University campus in New York on Friday, May 3. Mike Blake/Reuters Pro-Palestinian protesters stand their ground after police breached their encampment at UCLA on May 2. Before police were deployed to campus, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were clashing at the school , according to multiple reports. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Columbia University students gather for a picket organized by the Student Workers Union (UAW Local 2710) on Monday, April 29. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, “, Matthew Miller, Adam Schultz, Netanyahu, Israel, Mahmud Hams, It’s, ”, Democratic Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Sen, Alex Brandon, Van Hollen, Miller, ” Miller, Melissa Overton, Nic Antaya, Seth Harrison, Jenny Kane, Chip Somodevilla, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland, Craig Hudson, Emma, Roberto Schmidt, Etienne Laurent, Mike Blake, Spencer Platt, Frederic J . Brown, Caitlin Ochs, David Dee Delgado, Charly Triballeau, Kena Betancur, Seyma, Alex Kent, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Diane Handal, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Mike Johnson, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk Organizations: CNN, State Department, Israeli, Congress, Hamas, Capitol, ”, National Security, Getty, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, Defense Department and National Security Council, Biden, Israel, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Office, Human Rights, Biden Democrats, Democratic, Democratic Party, Republican, Department, Protesters, University of Michigan's, New York University, Westchester County Journal, USA, Network Police, Portland State University, AP, George Washington University, The George Washington University, AFP, Police, University of California, UCLA, Reuters, Fordham, Lincoln Center, Getty Images Police, Hamilton, Columbia University, Reuters Police, Columbia, The City College of New, Getty Images, Columbia Students, Justice, Hamilton Hall, Brown University, Getty Images Columbia University, Student Workers Union, UAW, University of Texas, Low, Sunday, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, Network, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, USAID Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Capitol Hill, Iran, Palestinian American, Jabalia, AFP, Ann Arbor , Michigan, New York, Westchester, Portland , Oregon, Washington ,, Portland, The, Los Angeles, The City College of New York, Columbia, Columbia's, Palestine, Providence , Rhode Island, Texas, Austin, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge

☆ Inside the White House’s monthslong push for Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Sullivan followed up four days later with a call to Johnson to highlight the measures in place to track aid in Ukraine. They spoke often with Johnson’s staff, including meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, Ricchetti and Goff spoke with Schumer and Jeffries and their staff almost daily to strategize on how to push Ukraine aid forward. Biden and Johnson spoke by phone the next day as the speaker briefed him on his plan to move the aid package forward. “We discussed the contents of the next US military aid package,” Zelensky said.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson –, speakership, Biden, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, Jake Sullivan, Shalanda Young, Sullivan, Taiwan –, Hamas, Putin, ” Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, “, ”, Steve Ricchetti, Richetti, Shuwanza Goff, Ricchetti, Goff, Jeff Zients, Schumer, Jeffries, Young, McConnell, Michael McCaul, Intelligence Michael Turner, Bill Burns, Ukraine Bridget Brink, Chip Roy, Texas, Ralph Norman of, Biden’s, Anita Dunn, Jon, Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Donald Trump’s, Burns, ” Zelensky Organizations: Washington CNN, Ukraine, White House, GOP, Management, Senate, Biden, Russia, House Democratic, White, Capitol, House Foreign, Intelligence, CIA, Republican, The Defense Department, House Republicans, National Intelligence, Democratic, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Ricchetti, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Washington ,, Johnson’s

I think providing aid to Ukraine right now is critically important,” the speaker added. House TVThe speaker’s embrace of Ukraine aid represents a remarkable evolution for Johnson, who voted against funding for the country as a rank-and-file member. Johnson drags his feetJohnson did not come to his decision on how to handle foreign aid quickly. “Slow,” New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said when asked how Johnson handled Ukraine aid. In recent weeks, allies counseled Johnson to keep the former president in the loop on his potential foreign aid plans.

Persons: Manu Raju ”, Johnson, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, Taiwan –, Michael McCaul, “, ” Johnson, Derrick Van Orden, Matt Gaetz, ”, Johnson –, Kevin McCarthy, –, Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s, Mike Pompeo, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Bill Burns, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Jeffries, Biden, Mitch McConnell, Gregory Meeks, Patrick McHenry of, Trump, Johnson’s, ” Trump, Eli Crane, McCarthy, Bob Good, Johnson “, Greene, Al Green, Van Orden, Gaetz, I’m, ” Van Orden, Chip Roy’s, Bob Good’s, Kent Nishimura, Paul Gosar, Johnson’s speakership, We’re, we’ve, Tom Cole of, ” Cole, “ There’s, Warren Davidson, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: GOP, CNN, Democratic, Louisiana Republican, Foreign, ”, Florida Republican, Senate, Republican, Ukraine, CIA, Naval Academy, Israel, Internal Revenue Service, New York Rep, House Foreign Affairs, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Lago, Arizona, Democratic Rep, Navy, Navy Seals, Wisconsin Republican, Capitol, Democrats, Republicans, GOP Rep, ” Veteran GOP Locations: Iran, Israel, Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, Taiwan, Florida, American, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Patrick McHenry of North, Iranian, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, House, Arizona, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Ohio

☆ How Mike Johnson Got to ‘Yes’ on Aid to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Catie Edmondson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For weeks after the Senate passed a sprawling aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, Speaker Mike Johnson agonized over whether and how the House would take up funding legislation that would almost certainly infuriate the right wing of his party and could cost him his job. He huddled with top national security officials, including William J. Burns, the C.I.A. He met repeatedly with broad factions of Republicans in both swing and deep red districts, and considered their voters’ attitudes toward funding Ukraine. And finally, when his plan to work with Democrats to clear the way for aiding Ukraine met with an outpouring of venom from ultraconservatives already threatening to depose him, Mr. Johnson, an evangelical Christian, knelt and prayed for guidance. “I want to be on the right side of history,” Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, recalled the speaker telling him.

Persons: Mike Johnson agonized, William J, Burns, Johnson, “, Michael McCaul of Organizations: Senate, U.S . Naval Academy, Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Michael McCaul of Texas

☆ McCaul commends Speaker Johnson’s transformation following foreign aid vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Avery Lotz | Michelle Shen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul applauded House Speaker Mike Johnson Sunday for bringing foreign aid legislation to his chamber’s floor, characterizing the move as “a profile in courage.”“I am so proud of the speaker, Mike Johnson,” the Texas Republican, who has been a staunch supporter of passing additional foreign aid, said on ABC’s “This Week.” “He went through a transformation. At the end of the day, a profile in courage is putting the nation above yourself, and that’s what he did. Asked if he believes Johnson’s job is in jeopardy following the successful vote, McCaul argued “stock in Mike Johnson has gone way up” and that the speaker has “garnered a lot of respect” from both sides of the aisle. But Trump has not commented publicly about the package the House passed on Saturday and has previously expressed support for Johnson’s speakership. “What (Trump) wants is for a lifeline to be given to Ukraine,” McCaul contended, “so that when he gets into office … he can then negotiate and save it.”

Persons: Michael McCaul, Mike Johnson, ”, ‘, ’, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, —, ” McCaul, “, McCaul, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: CNN — House Foreign, Texas Republican, Senate, Republicans, firebrand Rep, House, Louisiana Republican, CNN, House Republicans, Russia, NATO, Johnson’s Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Louisiana, United States

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