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☆ Israel’s weapons: Where do they come from and who supplies them?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Antoinette Radford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The United States has warned Israel it may stop supplying the country with weapons unless the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves. This is not the first time Israel’s major ally has threatened to turn off supplies. Here’s a breakdown of who supplies Israel with weapons:The United States:The United States is overwhelmingly the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. In 2023 69% of Israel’s arm imports came from the US, according to a report into international arms transfers by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Germany:While in 2023, Germany contributed 30% of Israel’s weapons, that supply has significantly reduced over the course of 2024.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hassan Nasrallah, Olaf Scholz, Kay Nietfeld, Israel “, Antonio Tajani, SIPRI, David Lammy, Gil Cohen, Pedro Sanchez, “, ”, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, CNN’s Mia Alberti, Christian Edwards, Inke Kappeler Organizations: CNN, United, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, US State Department, Foreign Military, International Court, Justice, Bundestag, Pagella, Labour, MIM, Magen, Getty, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Israel, Spanish, International Court of Justice Locations: United States, Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Stockholm, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Beirut, Nicaragua, Nazi, United Kingdom, AFP, Lebanon

☆ U.S. warns Israel it may restrict military aid if Gaza humanitarian situation doesn't improve
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Abigail-Williams-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Abigail Williams | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has warned Israel that if the humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn't improve within the next 30 days, the U.S. may restrict military assistance to Israel. The Biden Administration sent a similar warning to Israeli officials in April ahead of a required report, and the U.S. ultimately determined the actions taken by Israel to improve the humanitarian situation afterward met the requirements under the law. The ministry says the total death toll in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel is more than 42,000. Progressive members of the Democratic Party, as well as advocacy organizations like IfNotNow, have been calling on the Biden administration for months to halt arms to Israel. "The administration can and must act now — each day the Biden Administration waits to cut off the flow of bombs, planes, and missiles, the Israeli military uses U.S. weapons to extinguish more Palestinian lives."

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Biden, Yoav Gallant, Ron Dermer, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Israel, Eyad Baba, Matt Miller, “, ” Miller, ActionAid, —, Eva Borgwardt Organizations: Israeli, Strategic Affairs, Defense, Getty Images State, Biden Administration, Gaza Ministry, Health, U.S, Oxfam, Medical Aid, Democratic Party, Biden Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, AFP, Lebanon, Iran

CNN —The Biden administration sent a letter to the Israeli government demanding it act to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza within the next 30 days or risk violating US laws governing foreign military assistance, suggesting US military aid could be in jeopardy. The Sunday letter, jointly written by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, is addressed to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. It marks a significant new step by the US to try to compel Israel to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The deadline falls after the US presidential election on November 5. This story is breaking and will be updated.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Ron Dermer, “, ”, ” Blinken, Austin Organizations: CNN, Defense, Strategic, US, US State and Defense Locations: Gaza, Israel, norther

This article is part of the Opinion series At the Brink,about the threat of nuclear weapons in an unstable world. It follows a decades-long freeze on designing, building or testing new nuclear weapons. The new buildings and cutting-edge machinery will eventually process the uranium needed to make the next generation of American nuclear weapons. Now there are an estimated 12,000 nuclear weapons in the world. It is undeniably true that the world is becoming more contentious, and nuclear weapons do deter our adversaries.

Persons: Melissa Durkee’s, Adalie, —, Warren Air Force Base Missiles Ellsworth Air Force Base Pantex Plant Minot Air Force Base Dyess Air Force Base Lockheed Martin Tinker, Todd Weeks, Weeks, you’re, Eric Helms, Helms, it’s, ”, aren’t, Robin Darnall, she’s, “, can’t, Northrop Grumman, Nunn, Walter Schweitzer, Mr, Schweitzer, Robert Oppenheimer, didn’t, Jay Coghlan, Charles McMillan, Greg Mello Organizations: U.S, Preston Veterans ’ Memorial, Dynamics, U.S . Navy, Preston Veterans ’, The Times Naval Base Kitsap Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Northrop Grumman Nevada National Security, Air Force Base Malmstrom Air Force Base Sandia National Laboratories Los Alamos National Laboratory, Warren Air Force Base Missiles Ellsworth Air Force Base Pantex Plant Minot Air Force Base Dyess Air Force Base, Warren Air Force Base Missiles Ellsworth Air Force Base Pantex Plant Minot Air Force Base Dyess Air Force Base Lockheed Martin Tinker Air Force Base Offutt Air Force Base Kansas City National Security, Chaffee, Air Force Base Whiteman Air Force Base, Security, Laboratory Naval Submarine Base, Bay Northrop, Newport News Shipbuilding General Dynamics Electric, Submarines, Submarines Connecticut Rhode Island, Submarines Connecticut Rhode Island Virginia General Dynamics Electric, General Dynamics, Columbia, Engineering, Republican, Democratic, Office, General Dynamics Electric, Navy, NASCAR, Manhattan, Reactor, The Energy Department, National Nuclear Security Administration, Energy Department, National Nuclear Security, Fort, Missiles Wyoming North Dakota, Missiles Wyoming North Dakota Colorado Nebraska Montana America’s, The Air Force, Minuteman III, Air Force, Warren Air Force Base, Sentinel, Banner, Soviets, Air Force Base, McCurdy, Pentagon, Montana Farmers Union, Mexico South, Environmental Protection Agency, Los Alamos, Nuclear Watch, Alamos County, Atomic, Los Alamos Study, United States Locations: Preston, Conn, New England, America, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, United States, Savannah, Manhattan, Washington, Submarines Connecticut, Submarines Connecticut Rhode Island Virginia, Narragansett, Rhode Island, Quonset, R.I, Groton, Soviet Union, Rhode Island , Connecticut, Virginia, Columbia, Tennessee, Oak Ridge, Tenn, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Texas, Fort Knox, Missiles Wyoming North Dakota Colorado, —, Wyoming , Nebraska , Colorado , Montana, North Dakota, Plains, F.E, Wyoming, Nebraska, Banner County, Great Falls, Mont, Mexico, Mexico South Carolina, New Mexico, Los Alamos, N.M, Savannah River, S.C, Colorado, Rocky, Alamos, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Santa Fe

☆ From Ukraine to Hawaii, associates of Trump assassination attempt suspect say his ‘delusion of grandeur’ and odd behavior left them questioning his mental state
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Isabelle Chapman | Casey Tolan | Curt Devine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

In one tweet, Routh wrote that “I would like to invite you to Hawaii for vacation. Newsweek Romania journalist Remus Cernea, one of the people listed on the website, told CNN he met Routh in Kyiv’s Maidan Square in June 2022. Tracy Fulk, a Greensboro police officer at the time, told CNN that the incident started when she pulled Routh over for a traffic stop. Audrey McAvoy/APA Hawaiian man who gave Routh’s company a bad review on Facebook told CNN he was unsettled by Routh’s response to the criticism. “We must push forward with logical leadership that supports the ones that wish to accomplish great things,” Routh wrote in one post.

Persons: Donald Trump, Ryan Wesley Routh, Joe Biden, “, Ukraine ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, Routh, hadn’t, Biden, Zelensky, Ryan Routh's, Trump, Routh’s, –, ”, Tulsi Gabbard, Beto O’Rourke, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, Andrew Yang, Joe, hillary, ” Routh, Kim Jong Un, ” Zelensky, Routh’s fiancée, Kathleen Shaffer, Shaffer, Efrem, Semafor, Oleksandr Shaguri, ” Michael Wasiura, ” Wasiura, ” Evelyn Aschenbrenner, Aschenbrenner, ” Aschenbrenner, Ryan O’Leary, ” O’Leary, Remus Cernea, Cernea, it’s, ” Cernea, barricading, Tracy Fulk, Fulk, ” Fulk, didn’t, ” Ryan Routh's, Audrey McAvoy, Saili Levi, Levi, you’re, ” Levi, Ryan Routh ”, Nelli Black, Benjamin Brown, Scott Glover, Lex Harvey, Winter, Rob Kuznia, Kyung Lah, Daniel Medina, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Rob Picheta, Puy Kamp, Sabrina Shulman, Teele Rebane, Adam Renton, Jessie Yeung Organizations: CNN, Twitter, Trump, Martin County Sheriff’s, Martin County Sheriff's, Facebook, Service, Republican, X, Machine, Commission, Democratic, North, “ WE, New York Times, Ukraine’s Land Forces Command, Legion, country’s International, Army National Guard, Global Citizen, Taiwan, Taiwan Foreign Legion, Newsweek Romania, Greensboro, Sheriff’s Office, Guilford County North Carolina Sheriff’s, Honolulu Star, Star, Advertiser, Honolulu, roosters Locations: Ukraine, Hawaii, Afghanistan, Ukrainian, Honolulu, Oahu, Florida, Martin County, Russia, Zelensky, American, Kyiv’s, Kyiv, Taiwan, North Korea, China, Kyiv’s Maidan, North Carolina, Greensboro, Guilford, Guilford County North Carolina, Kaʻaʻawa, Oahu Island, Oran, Majlie

☆ Ukraine started this year on the brink of disaster. A lot has changed since.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Getting F-16s and long-awaited weaponsDelays in getting Western equipment have long been a source of frustration for Ukraine. Western allies lifted some restrictions in May, allowing Ukraine to strike Russian troops building up at its borders. AdvertisementTaking the war inside RussiaThe biggest change this year is that Ukraine altered the dynamics of the conflict by launching a surprise attack on Russia's Kursk region. In just two weeks, starting on August 6, Ukraine claims its forces took more territory in Kursk than Russia had since the beginning of 2024. Ukraine is "losing territory and may suffer a breakthrough," Benjamin Friedman, policy director at the Defense Priorities think tank, told BI.

Persons: —, Abishur Prakash, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Vitalii, Mark Temnycky, it's, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Ukraine wouldn't, Mark Cancian, year's, Putin, Joe Biden, Benjamin Friedman, Michael Kofman, Rob Lee, Prakash Organizations: Service, Russia, Republican, Business, Inc, Reuters, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Getty, Council's Eurasia, Times, Institute for, American Enterprise, Air Assault Brigade, REUTERS, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, International Studies, CNN, Defense, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Foreign, Kyiv Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Kursk, Toronto, Kharkiv, London, Russia's Kursk, Malaya Loknya, Kursk Region, REUTERS Russia, Kyiv

☆ One of Ukraine's main goals in invading Russia appears to be working
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's invasion of the province of Kursk last week took Russia by surprise. Analysts told Business Insider that one of Ukraine's core aims in the operation is to divert Russian troops from the front line in Ukraine. Related storiesIt said that Russia could be diverting troops from units in Donetsk intended to relieve or reinforce front-line units. BI has been unable to confirm reports of the redeployments, and it is unknown exactly how many Russian troops may have been diverted to fight Ukraine's Kursk incursion. AdvertisementFor months, Ukraine's forces have been losing ground to Russia in a grinding war of attrition.

Persons: —, Dmytro Lykhoviy, Lykhoviy, Ukraine's, Volodymyr Zelesnkyy Organizations: Service, Business, POLITICO, BI Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kursk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Ukraine's, Ukrainian, US, Russian, Donetsk, Kharkiv Oblast, Kursk Oblast, Baltic, Kaliningrad, Ukraine's Kursk

☆ US announces $2.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US announced a new $2.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday, one day after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US would soon provide Kyiv with more air defense interceptors and critical munitions. The $2.2 billion in USAI funding for Ukraine is one of the largest such packages the US has announced, though it is dwarfed by the $6 billion USAI package announced in late-April. This is also the fifth military aid package for Ukraine since the passage of a $95 billion supplemental aid package in April, which included $61 billion in aid for Ukraine. In opening statements before their meeting, Austin said the US would soon be announcing the $2.3 billion security package. The US has provided approximately $53.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, “, Biden, Austin, Rustem Umerov Organizations: CNN, US, Ukraine, Pentagon, Presidential, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Kyiv, Biden Administration, Ukrainian Defense Locations: Ukraine

Tokyo CNN —Japanese prosecutors have charged a US Air Force member with allegedly kidnapping and raping an underage girl just before Christmas last year, Okinawa police confirmed to CNN on Wednesday. Washington was released on bail and transferred to the Kadena US Air Base in Okinawa for custody, according to a government spokesperson. The court’s spokesperson told CNN they do not have any details regarding the airman’s legal representation. The embassy told CNN in a phone call to contact Kadena Air Base, where Washington was based, for information on the case. CNN has contacted Kadena Air Base for comment.

Persons: Brennon, ”, Denny Tamaki, “, Alvin G, Nelson III, ” Nelson, Masataka Okano, Rahm Emanuel, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk, David, Biden Organizations: Tokyo CNN, US Air Force, Okinawa, CNN, Kadena US Air Base, Ospreys, Okinawa Gov, Kadena Air Base, Kadena, US Navy, Mount, Japan’s, Foreign Affairs, Washington, Japanese Foreign Ministry, Embassy, Japanese, South Locations: . Washington, Naha, Okinawa’s, Washington, Okinawa, Tokyo, China, North Korea, ” Washington, Japan, curfews, Beijing

☆ The Sticking Points That Kept Russia and Ukraine Apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Anton Troianovski | Michael Schwirtz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

The Sticking Points That Kept Russia and Ukraine ApartRussia and Ukraine failed to agree on a range of critical issues when they held peace talks in the spring of 2022. Russia’s Position Russia demanded that Ukraine never join NATO or other alliances; host foreign military bases or weapons; or conduct military exercises with other countries without its consent. Russia’s Position Russia agreed to much of Ukraine’s security guarantees proposal but with key exceptions. Russia’s Position Russia’s stance has also fluctuated. Russia’s Position But Russia’s definition of “denazification” shifted quickly after its initial invasion failed.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, —, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, ” Organizations: The New York Times, NATO, European Union, Ukraine’s, Crimea ”, Ukraine, Mr, Russia’s, ” International, United Nations Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, France, China, guarantors, Belarus, Turkey, Territory, Crimea, Moscow, Ukrainian, Russian

Representatives from the warring nations held peace talks in the early weeks of the Russian invasion. It was the only time that Ukrainian and Russian officials are known to have engaged in direct peace talks. This includes the Crimean Peninsula, which Mr. Putin annexed in 2014 in a swift operation that he considers central to his legacy. At another point, Russia’s lead negotiator, Mr. Medinsky, interrupted a video conference by claiming that Mr. Putin was phoning him directly. There were signs that Mr. Putin was micromanaging not only the Russian invasion but also the peace talks.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, —, Putin’s, … ”, “, Oleksandr Chalyi, Mr, Vladimir Medinsky, Oleksii Reznikov, Vladimir Putin, Leonid Slutsky, Medinsky, ”, Aleksandr Fomin, Reznikov, Ukraine’s, … “, Sergey Ponomarev, Ukraine —, Andrzej Duda, Duda, Putin “, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Murat Cetin Muhurdar, Russia’s, Zelensky, …, ‘, ’, Daniel Berehulak, Davyd Arakhamia, ” “, Roman Abramovich, ” Mr, Arakhamia, Abramovich, micromanaging, Nanna Heitmann, France —, Laetitia Vancon, Kamala Harris, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ Putin, Marc Weller, Russia “, Weller Organizations: The New York Times, Ukraine, Kremlin, NATO, “, Russian Federation, ”, European Union, West, Ministry, Times, Europe’s, Russian, Moscow, Donetsk People's, Nazi, U.S, Ukrainian, Turkish Presidential Press Service, Agence France, The Times, Russia, New York Times, stoke, Cambridge Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Kyiv, Crimean, Switzerland, Ukrainian, Crimea, “ Ukraine, Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol, ”, … ” Russia, Russian, ” Russia, Istanbul, Geneva, Belarus, Western, Russia’s, Donetsk, Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic, Simferopol, Poland, Germany, France, European, Brussels, Turkish, Zelensky, “, Great Britain, China, United States, Turkey, Canada, Italy, Israel, Bucha, Washington, Swiss, Russians

☆ US and allies warn China is intensifying its efforts to recruit Western military pilots
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Western-trained pilots can teach Chinese military personnel everything from air combat tactics to how to land on an aircraft carrier, according to a US official. Former western pilots — which number at least in the dozens — are training Chinese military officials who then return to China and, in turn, train more pilots there, this person said. An indictment in 2017 alleged that Duggan trained Chinese pilots while he was still a US citizen, between November 2009 and November 2012. That same month, the UK Ministry of Defense issued a security alert after several of its military pilots were also found to have been training the PLA Air Force. Last August, two US Navy sailors were arrested for allegedly sending sensitive military information to Chinese intelligence officers.

Persons: “, ”, Michael Casey, Sabrina Singh, Adm, John Aquilino, Charles Q, Brown —, —, ” Brown, Daniel Duggan, Duggan, Matt Olson Organizations: CNN, Western, Wednesday, Liberation Army, National Counterintelligence and Security Center, PLA, Pentagon, National Intelligence, ” Military, Former, US, Pacific Command, PLA Navy, PLA Air Force, ”, Air Force, NATO, People’s Liberation Army, Air Chiefs, US Marine, UK Ministry of Defense, Australian, Export Control, US Army, People’s Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, Western, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States, South Africa, Singapore, Laos, Australian, People’s Republic

☆ Chinese trade group seeks drone jammers for Russian buyers
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —A Chinese government trade body has sought drone detectors and jammers for apparent Russian buyers, adding to concerns that Beijing may be supplying dual-use technology to Moscow. They are known for being used by the Russian army during its 2022 invasion of Ukraine to identify drone activity. He told CNN by phone that it was removed because it was “improper.” CNN has also reached out to the Yunfu trade association for comment. Mastro said she is “not particularly surprised” that local Chinese governments would help Russian companies seek drone equipment. Last week, the US warned it could act against Chinese firms and financial institutions in response to Beijing’s alleged backing of Russian war efforts.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ”, Oriana Skylar Mastro, Stanford University’s Freeman, Mastro, doesn’t, Antony Blinken, Washington Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Guangdong Provincial Association, Promotion of, province’s Commerce Department, Assel Labs, 3MX, City’s Association, Promotion of International Trade, United, CNN, US, Stanford, Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Moscow, Guangdong, Russia, Russian, Ukraine, United States, Singapore, “ Beijing

☆ Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Cambodia as US concerns grow over China’s influence
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Phnom Penh, Cambodia CNN —US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin traveled to Cambodia on Tuesday to meet with the country’s prime minister and defense minister, as Washington becomes increasingly concerned that Phnom Penh may grant China’s military exclusive access to a key naval base. Austin’s trip to the Cambodian capital marks his second visit to the Southeast Asian country as Secretary of Defense but is the first time a United States defense chief has traveled to Cambodia specifically to hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Defense Minister Tea Seiha. The outreach reflects the US’ desire to forge a better relationship with Cambodia, defense officials said, particularly as Beijing’s influence over the country has only continued to grow in recent years. “There are no doubts about where our concerns are,” a Pentagon spokesperson said following Austin’s meetings, when asked about Ream. In a meeting with China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun last week, their first face-to-face, Austin said the US wants to keep military-to-military channels open with the Chinese to avoid misunderstandings and escalation.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Tea, “, ”, Hun Manet, Hun Sen’s, ” Austin, Biden, Austin, Hun Sen, Dong Jun, Dong, Beijing “ Organizations: Cambodia CNN, Defense, United, Cambodian, Ream, Base, South China, Pentagon, State Department, US Military Academy, West, United Nations Peacekeeping, China’s Defense, CNN Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Washington, United States, Thailand, China, South China, ” Beijing, South, Taiwan, Beijing, Ream, Asia, Singapore

☆ 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

☆ US says Russia used choking agents against Ukrainian troops, breaching chemical weapons ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident, and is probably driven by Russian forces’ desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield,” it said. Russia has previously denied using chemical weapons. The US has previously warned Russia against chemical warfare in Ukraine; in March 2022, a month after the invasion began, President Joe Biden said that NATO would respond if Russia used chemical weapons in Ukraine. The use of chemical weapons is banned by international law. Russia has signed those treaties and claims it doesn’t have chemical weapons, but the country has already been linked to the use of nerve agents against critics in recent years.

Persons: Ukraine’s, Chloropicrin, Joe Biden, Mallory Stewart, Sergei Skripal, Alexey Navalny –, Vladimir Putin, Navalny Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Ukrainian, Chemical Weapons Convention, CWC, Russian Embassy, CDC, State Department, United, United Arab Emirates, US, NATO Locations: United States, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Netherlands, China, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, United Arab, Moscow, Ukrainian, Siberia

☆ Some in State Department don’t believe Israel is using US weapons in accordance with international law, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The State Department is divided over whether Israel is using American-provided weapons in accordance with international law ahead of a fast-approaching deadline next week for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make a determination to Congress. Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes and abuses during the war in Gaza. The State Department official Sunday did not give further details about which parts of the department are in favor of accepting Israel’s assurances, which are in favor of rejecting them, and which took no position. “We don’t comment on leaked documents, especially those purporting to contain classified information,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. While the report does not represent the US government’s own conclusions, Blinken said last week that the State Department was looking at the incidents.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Israel, Joe Biden, Blinken, International Organization Affairs –, Matthew Miller, ”, Biden, Joe, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, Lloyd Austin, Israel “ meritless, ” CNN’s Michael Conte, Kayla Tausche, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, The State Department, ”, Hamas, Reuters, –, Human Rights, Labor, Justice, International Organization Affairs, Department, National, Israel, Foreign, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Progressives, Sunday, Central, State, State Department, Armed Services Locations: Israel, Gaza, Western

☆ Middle East Crisis Senior Israeli Military Official Offers to Resign After Oct. 7 Intelligence Failures
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Mr. Netanyahu said in a social media post that his government would “act by all means” against any such move. The sanctions, if imposed, would not hold up the military aid that was just approved in Congress. The Israeli military disciplined three of the unit’s commanders after the investigation. Human rights organizations have long accused the Israeli military justice system of whitewashing wrongdoing and the military of acting with impunity. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed during the six months of war, according to Gazan health officials.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr, Netanyahu, Axios, Netzah Yehuda, Leahy, Yehuda, Omar Abdelmajed Assad, “, Assad’s, Biden, Benny Gantz, Yoav Gallant, Antony J, Blinken, Jacob J, Lew, Gallant, Mick Mulroy, ”, ” Natan Odenheimer, Gabby Sobelman Organizations: West Bank, Biden, Netzah, Jewish, Israel, Pentagon, State Locations: States, Gaza, Israel, Israel’s, Iran, U.S, United States

☆ Mike Johnson and the Uneasy Coalition Government Keeping Ukraine Funded - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Brendan Buck | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Saturday, the House of Representatives approved the most consequential legislation of this Congress, a foreign aid package for American allies. More Democrats than Republicans voted in favor of the measure that allowed the package to pass. The speaker, Mike Johnson, holds his role only because a few hard-line Republicans ousted the previous speaker for being too dismissive of their demands. For all its rank partisanship, the House right now is functionally and uneasily governed by a bipartisan group of Republicans and Democrats. Instead, a coalition has emerged that is willing to do what is necessary to save the House from itself.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Republicans, Democrats, Republican

☆ Necessity Gives Rise to Bipartisanship — for Now
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Congress convened in 2023, an empowered far-right Republican faction in the House threatened to upend Washington and President Biden’s agenda. But the intransigence of that bloc instead forced Republicans and Democrats into an ad hoc coalition government that is now on the verge of delivering long-delayed foreign military aid and a victory to the Democratic president. The House approval on Saturday of money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan over angry objections from the extreme right was the latest and perhaps most striking example of a bipartisan approach forged out of necessity. The coalition first sprang up last year to spare the government a catastrophic debt default, and has reassembled at key moments since then to keep federal agencies funded. Unable to deliver legislation on their own because of a razor-thin majority and the refusal of those on the right to give ground, House Republicans had no choice but to break with their fringe members and join with Democrats if they wanted to accomplish much of anything, including bolstering Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Persons: Biden’s Organizations: Republican, Democrats, Democratic, Republicans Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Russia

☆ Here’s what aid the House would provide Israel, Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Katie Lobosco | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Republicans released the text of three bills Wednesday that would provide aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, with the latter intended to help deter Chinese aggression in the area. Taken together, the House bills add up to about $95 billion in aid – the same amount the Senate bill included – with an adjustment that $10 billion in Ukraine economic assistance is in the form of a repayable loan, CNN has reported. Nearly $14 billion included in the bill would help Ukraine buy advanced weapons systems and other defense equipment. The Senate bill, by comparison, would provide $14.1 billion in assistance to Israel, including funds for missile defense systems and foreign military financing to help Israel reestablish territorial security and deterrence, and $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid. The Senate bill contained very similar provisions to bolster security in the region.

Persons: Joe Biden, Here’s what’s, Russia –, Israel, CNN’s Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot, Melanie Zanona Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, Israel, House, Foreign, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Senate Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Russia, Iran, Taiwan

The 30-minute conversation was the two leaders’ first phone call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. The killings have set off a furor inside the White House and Biden has been described as reaching a new level of frustration with Israel’s campaign. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the White House said in a statement shortly after the call wrapped. Blinken said Israel should not stoop to the level of Hamas in its response to the group’s October 7 attacks. Blinken acknowledged the World Central Kitchen strike was not the first time Israel has killed aid workers in the conflict.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, ’, Biden, “, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Blinken, ” Blinken, haven’t, ” Kirby, Biden’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons –, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Netanyahu, Jennifer Hansler, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, National Security, White House, Central Kitchen, Capitol Hill, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Blinken, United States, Rafah

CNN —The Biden administration is close to approving the sale of as many as 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets to Israel, in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, the US has made more than 100 foreign military sales to Israel. Most of those have fallen under the specific dollar amount that requires a notification to Congress, an official familiar with the matter previously told CNN. A congressional aide told CNN that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has also approved the transaction to proceed to formal congressional notification. “What you hear about the frustrations within the administration over the Israel policy, it is real,” one US diplomat told CNN on condition of anonymity.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Sen, James Risch, Michael McCaul, Ben Cardin, Greg Meeks, Biden administration’s, Joe Biden’s, “, ”, Israel won’t, Josh Paul, Matthew Miller, Israel what’s, Pat Ryder, ” Steven Katz, Katz Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Biden, Democratic, House Foreign Affairs, Foreign, State Department, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, House Foreign, Congressional Research Service, UN, The State Department, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, ”, Pentagon, Army, Defense, U.S, National Intelligence Locations: Israel, Gaza, State, Washington , DC, United States, “ Israel, Iran

☆ Opinion: Why I’m resigning from the State Department
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Opinion Annelle Sheline | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Unable to serve an administration that enables such atrocities, I have decided to resign from my position at the Department of State. Whatever credibility the United States had as an advocate for human rights has almost entirely vanished since the war began. By resigning publicly, I am saddened by the knowledge that I likely foreclose a future at the State Department. Yet just recently, the State Department ascertained that Israel is in compliance with international law in the conduct of the war and in providing humanitarian assistance. After four years of then-President Donald Trump’s efforts to cripple the department, State employees embraced Biden’s pledge to rebuild American diplomacy.

Persons: Sheline, Israel, Annelle, —, Biden, Joe Biden, Yitzhak Brick, ”, Donald Trump’s, Aaron Bushnell, Jim Crow Organizations: Eastern Affairs, Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, CNN, Gaza Ministry, Health, UN, West Bank, International Court of Justice, Department of State, United, Protect Journalists, State Department, State, Department, US, Feds United, Peace, Ukraine, Twitter, Facebook, Air Force, Embassy Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, United States, Lebanon, harm’s, Washington

☆ Israel defense minister’s meeting with Lloyd Austin comes at a delicate moment in push for US weaponry
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Gallant will be told that the various cases of weapons sales are being worked on, a senior administration official told CNN. “There is scrutiny, but no policy decision to deny” the provision of additional weapons to Israel, the official told CNN. But the defense secretary’s position on providing weapons to Israel has not shifted much since the war began, officials said. “If there is one, that would be something we would want to hear,” said the senior administration official who added that consequences for ignoring US urgings are increasingly being considered. Austin also told Gallant last week that Israel needs “to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah,” according to a Pentagon readout of their call.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, Gallant, —, Joe Biden’s, Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, We’re, John Kirby, Israel, “, Patrick Ryder, ”, ” Gallant, Biden, Netanyahu, ” Kirby, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, ” CNN’s Oren Liebermann Organizations: US, Israel, Pentagon, UN, ” National Security, CNN, Austin, Israel Defense Forces, Foreign, State Department, Congress, Democratic Locations: Gaza, Israeli, Washington, Rafah, Israel, Lebanon, ”

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