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☆ American fighter pilots explain how they fought an overwhelming Iranian drone swarm in total darkness
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“You feel the terrain rush, you feel yourself getting closer and closer to the ground,” Coffey told CNN. Obtained by CNNThe fighter pilots had not had much time before then to practice, said F-15 pilot Lt. Col. Timothy “Diesel” Causey. Air defense systems at an undisclosed US military base in the Middle East intercept Iranian drones and missiles. “Missiles and drones are flying over base, and they’re being intercepted over base, so the alarm red goes off,” Causey said. CNNMany of the F-15 pilots, air and ground crews who took part in the operation that night received awards this week for bravery.

Persons: Benjamin “, ” Coffey, Coffey, Lacie, ” Hester, Hester, ”, Timothy “ Diesel ”, ” Causey, hadn’t, ’ ” Coffey, “, Curtis “, ” Culver, Hester’s, Timothy “ Diesel ” Causey, Clayton “, ” Wicks, Wicks, Culver, Robin Olds Organizations: CNN, Israel, US Air Force’s, Air Force, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Air, Royal Air Force, Patriot, Missiles, ” Troops, Silver Star, Culver, “, MiG Locations: Iran, Iranian, Syria, Suffolk, England, Vietnam

☆ Large group of Russian and North Korean forces prepared to retake Russia’s Kursk region from Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-10 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers are in the region, where Ukraine’s three-month military incursion into Russian territory has stalled. The New York Times reported Sunday that some 50,000 Russia and North Korean troops are set to take part in the assault. Reports that North Korea was sending troops to Russia began appearing last month, though both countries dismissed the allegations at the time. Russia and North Korea, both pariahs in the West, have forged increasingly friendly ties since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine invaded the Kursk region over the summer, shocking Russia, in the first invasion of the country since World War II.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, hasn’t, Donald Trump, Trump, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Vladimir Putin, ” Trump, Zelensky, Elon Musk, Biden, CNN’s Jack Forrest, Helen Regan, Svitlana Vlasova, Tara John, Victoria Butenko, Nic Robertson, Kristen Holmes, Natasha Bertrand, Haley Britzky, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Russia, Sunday, The New York Times, Ukraine, US, NATO, Republican, Pentagon Locations: Russia’s Kursk, Russia, North, Korea, North Korea, Ukraine, Kursk, Moscow, Budapest, Kyiv, “, Ukrainian

☆ Video: These are the scenarios the Pentagon is gaming out once President Donald Trump takes office
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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Officials said they hope it will speed up the maintenance and repairs of weapons systems being used by the Ukrainian military. “In order to help Ukraine repair and maintain military equipment provided by the US and its allies, DoD (Department of Defense) is soliciting bids for a small number of contractors who will help Ukraine maintain the assistance we’ve already provided,” a defense official said. Allowing experienced, US government-funded American contractors to maintain a presence in Ukraine means they will be able to help fix damaged, high-value equipment much faster, officials have told CNN. “The Department made this decision after careful risk assessment and in coordination with interagency stakeholders,” the defense official said. Instead, it would likely result in anywhere from a few dozen to a couple hundred contractors working in Ukraine at a time.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Russia “, US, DoD, Department of Defense, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Patriots, Biden, Russia, State Department, “ Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Russian, Poland, Romania, Iraq, Afghanistan

☆ Pentagon officials discussing how to respond if Trump issues controversial orders
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Pentagon officials are holding informal discussions about how the Department of Defense would respond if Donald Trump issues orders to deploy active-duty troops domestically and fire large swaths of apolitical staffers, defense officials told CNN. “Troops are compelled by law to disobey unlawful orders,” said another defense official. “But the question is what happens then – do we see resignations from senior military leaders? At the time, defense officials tried to include as few civilian employees as possible to limit the impact to the workforce, sources said. But “there are still ways a new administration could work around these protections,” a defense official said, even if it might take several months to do so.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Mark Milley, “, Defense Lloyd Austin, Milley, John Kelly, Trump’s, Kelly, Hitler’s, Biden, –, George Floyd, …, Austin, ” CNN’s Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Department of Defense, Joint Chiefs, Staff, ”, “ Troops, Trump, White, DoD, Defense, National Guard, White House, Defense Department, Customs, Reserves, Army, Congress, United States, Civilian, National Security and Intelligence, Management Locations: ’, ”, Hitler’s Nazi, United States

☆ North Korea likely to ask for nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for troops, South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

North Korea will likely request Russian technology transfers relating to tactical nuclear weapons, the advancement of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance satellites and nuclear submarines, Kim said, speaking through a translator alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The US independently confirmed for the first time last week that thousands of North Korean troops had been sent to Russia for military training. A small number of North Korean troops are already in Ukraine, CNN reported on Tuesday, and officials are growing increasingly concerned that the forces will enter into combat alongside Russian troops. “The evidence now suggests that North Korea has sent around 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia,” Austin said on Wednesday. But he did say that South Korean military analysts could be deployed to observe the North Koreans fighting the Russians to gain more insight into North Korea’s military readiness.

Persons: ”, Kim Yong Hyun, Kim, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Austin, “, ” Kim, ” CNN’s Haley Britzky, Michael Conte Organizations: CNN, South Korean Defense, Pentagon, North Korean, NATO, Russian, DPRK, Intelligence, South, Korean, Koreans Locations: North Korea, ” Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, Russian, Iran, Moscow, Tehran, South Korea, Koreans, Republic of Korea

The hackers also targeted prominent Democrats including the staff of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, another source briefed on the matter told CNN. There are no indications anyone was able to access data related to Jared Kushner or his devices, a person familiar with the matter told CNN. The Trump campaign is operating under the assumption that the hackers could still have access to the phone communications they targeted that belong to Trump and Vance, two of the sources said. Given how pervasive the Chinese hacking campaign has been in US telecom networks, some US allies are checking their own computer networks for signs of compromise. The ongoing Chinese hacking campaign means that the next administration — whether Trump or Harris wins — will likely inherit another major cybersecurity incident with big implications for national security.

Persons: Eric Trump’s, Jared Kushner’s, Donald Trump’s, Trump, JD Vance, Harris, Walz, Chuck Schumer, Eric Trump, Kushner, ‘, ’, Eric’s, Lara, Ivanka Trump, Kamala, Biden, Jared Kushner, Vance, ” Sen, Mark Warner, —, Joe Biden, Ted Barrett, Natasha Bertrand, Kaitlan Collins, Kristen Holmes Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democratic, FBI, The New York Times, AT, Verizon, Trump, Investigators, Justice Department, Department of Justice, Huawei, Republican National Committee, Embassy, US, Infrastructure Security Agency, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Virginia Democrat Locations: Beijing, China, Washington ,, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom

☆ Small number of North Korean troops are already inside Ukraine, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A small number of North Korean troops are already inside Ukraine, according to two western intelligence officials, and officials expect that number to grow as the North Koreans complete training in eastern Russia and move toward the front lines of the war. The North Korean troops’ presence inside Ukraine goes a step beyond what NATO and the Pentagon confirmed on Monday, which is that roughly 10,000 North Korean troops are training in eastern Russia with some en route to Russia’s Kursk region. A US official said the US can not yet corroborate reports that North Koreans troops are already inside Ukraine. The Russians have been teaching North Korean soldiers basic Russian commands in training, like “fire” and “in position,” South Korean lawmakers told reporters on Tuesday. ‘The number may rise’South Korean intelligence has put the number of North Korean troops inside Russia right now at about 13,000, higher than the US and the UK.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, catchup, Matthew Miller, Andriy Yermak, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Yermak, Sullivan, ”, Sullivan “, ” Miller, CNN’s Haley Britzky, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, North Koreans, North, NATO, Pentagon, South Korea, Korean, State, National, North Korean, South, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, White House, “ Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russia’s Kursk, Kursk, “, Koreans, Ukrainian, Washington ,, ”, North Korea, Moscow, China, Pyongyang

“We assess that between early- to mid-October, North Korea moved at least 3,000 soldiers into eastern Russia,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “We assess that these soldiers traveled by ship from the Wonsan area in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia. “We are seeing evidence that that there are North Korean troops that have gone to Russia,” Austin told reporters traveling with him in Rome on Wednesday. A senior administration official said earlier Wednesday that the training of North Korean soldiers and possible preparation to send them to find to Ukraine is a sign of serious desperation on Russia’s part. Meanwhile, South Korea’s spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Friday that North Korea has shipped 1,500 soldiers, including special forces fighters, to Russia for training.

Persons: “, John Kirby, …, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Austin, Kirby, Putin, ” Kirby, Volodymyr Zelensky, Kevin Liptak, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, ” National Security, Defense, US, Korean, Kremlin, UN, United, NATO, National Intelligence Service Locations: Russia, North Korea, Wonsan, Vladivostok, Ukrainian, Korea, Ukraine, Rome, Europe, Pacific, Moscow, Pyongyang, United States, Kyiv, Washington, Koreans, South

☆ Defense Secretary Austin arrives in Ukraine amid Russian gains and imminent US election
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv early Monday morning, as the future of US aid to Ukraine hangs in the balance of the imminent US presidential election and as Russia continues to make small but steady gains on the battlefield. “It’s been absolutely remarkable that Ukraine has been able to do what it’s done,” Austin told reporters. Ukraine has prevented Russian President Vladimir Putin from achieving “one single strategic objective” during the war, Austin said Sunday. China also continues to be a “critical enabler” of Russia’s war effort, the NATO official said. Ukraine has more sophisticated weaponry thanks to the West, which could give the country a strategic edge, the defense official said.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Rustem Umerov, Biden, Austin, “ It’s, ” Austin, we’ve, Donald Trump, ”, Trump, Zelensky, “, ” Zelensky, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Defense, CNN, Ukraine Defense, European Union, Pentagon, Capitol, Ukraine, NATO, Russia Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Austin, ”, Europe, Russian, Iran, North Korea, China, Moscow

☆ Initial investigation into US intelligence leak on Israeli attack planning focusing on who had access to documents
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | Evan Perez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The FBI is leading the investigation, working with Pentagon investigators and the intelligence community, according to US officials briefed on the matter. In recent days, investigators have worked to authenticate the documents and determine who could have had access to them, the officials said. Both documents were widely accessible products, according to two sources familiar with US intelligence. That could provide investigators with a critical jumping-off point: The Defense Department, like other federal agencies, tracks when employees print classified documents. Highlighting the sensitive nature of the leak, American officials were extremely tight-lipped about the investigation on Monday.

Persons: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency —, John Kirby, Kirby, ”, it’s, Jack Teixeira, Teixeira, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Zachary Cohen Organizations: CNN, House, Defense Department, National Security Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, FBI, Pentagon, The Defense Department, National Security, Department of Defense, East Spectator, US, National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, Middle East Spectator, U.S . Department of Defense, National Locations: Iran, American, Israel, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Korea, Ukraine

In Tel Aviv, people protested outside the Israel Defense Forces’ headquarters, blocking traffic and chanting anti-government slogans. Eran Nissan, a peace activist from the progressive Israeli group Mehazkim, has been attending anti-government rallies since January last year. On Saturday, he was handing out T-shirts and stickers with derogatory messages about Israel’s far-right security minister Itamar Ben Gvir. There are 101 hostages still held in Gaza, Israeli authorities say, but as many as one-third of them are thought to be dead. And any poll that you see right now shows they’re going to be hit hard,” he said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Eran Nissan, Itamar Ben Gvir, Nissan, ”, Yahya Sinwar, “, Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: Israel Defense Forces ’, CNN Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Iran

☆ Leaked documents show US intelligence on Israel’s plans to attack Iran, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US is investigating a leak of highly classified US intelligence about Israel’s plans for retaliation against Iran, according to three people familiar with the matter. One of the documents, which says it was compiled by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, says the plans involve Israel moving munitions around. Any such leak would automatically trigger an investigation by the FBI alongside the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies. The US is already on high alert about Iranian hacking campaigns — US intelligence agencies said in August that Iran had hacked documents belonging to Donald Trump’s campaign. Axios first reported on the leaked documents Saturday.

Persons: ”, Mick Mulroy, Mulroy, Donald Trump’s, Axios, CNN’s Evan Perez, Katie Bo Lillis Organizations: CNN, East Spectator, US, Iran, National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, FBI, Pentagon, CIA, National Security Council, National Intelligence, National Locations: Iran, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Israel, South Korea, Ukraine

☆ US election looms over NATO discussions to Trump-proof Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

NATO officials say they are preparing for the US to take on a lesser role. “I’m very worried,” the NATO official said. But that mechanism, known as NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, is not yet fully operational and won’t be for several more months, another NATO official said on Friday. Russia alone is producing around 3 million munitions per year, while NATO collectively is producing less than 2 million annually, NATO officials said on Thursday. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that he was confident the alliance “will not lose” its unity when it comes to Ukraine.

Persons: Donald Trump, Defense Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Joe Biden, Austin, Trump, Biden, James O’Brien, O’Brien, “, ” Austin, Russia It’s, Mark Rutte, Vladimir, Putin Organizations: Brussels CNN, NATO, Defense, Ukraine, Trump, ”, NATO Security Assistance, Training, State, Eurasian Locations: Brussels, Ukraine, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, ”, Europe, NATO, EU, Hungary, Riga, ” North Korea, Moscow, Korea, Kyiv, “

CNN —The US carried out a round of strikes in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis on Wednesday evening, according to three US defense officials, targeting weapons storage facilities, including underground facilities. The strikes were carried out by B-2 Spirit bombers, according to one of the officials, marking the first time the US has used the strategic stealth bomber to attack the Houthis in Yemen since the beginning of the US campaign. Over the past year, the US has repeatedly struck or intercepted Houthi drones and missiles in an effort to protect ships and degrade the Houthi arsenal. In September, the Houthis claimed to have launched approximately two dozen ballistic and cruise missiles and drones against three US destroyers. The Israeli military said on the latter attack, Israel had intercepted a surface-to-air missile fired from Yemen toward central Israel.

Persons: Sabrina Singh, “, ” Singh, ”, ” CENTCOM, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Organizations: CNN, US, Pentagon, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Yemen, Iran, Aden, Israel, Lebanon, Hamas, Gaza

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

• Israel: A Hezbollah drone attack on an Israeli army base killed four soldiers and injured more than 60 people in one of the bloodiest attacks on Israel since the war began last October. Israel’s military said it will look into how the drone entered Israel without triggering an alert. • Lebanon: UN peacekeepers said Israeli soldiers breached one of its posts in southern Lebanon in violation of international law. The Israeli military later said one of its tanks backed into the post as it was evacuating wounded soldiers. A string of Israeli military actions have wounded peacekeepers in Lebanon in recent days, drawing global condemnation.

Persons: • Organizations: UN Locations: • Israel, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Tehran, • Gaza, Gaza

☆ US to deploy about 100 troops to operate advanced anti-missile system in Israel amid heightened tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-13 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US will send an advanced anti-missile system — and US troops to operate it — to Israel “to help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1,” the Pentagon said Sunday. But the deployment of additional US troops to Israel is notable amid the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, and as the region braces for a potential Israeli attack on Iran that could continue to escalate hostilities. Approximately 100 US troops are deploying to Israel to operate the THAAD battery, according to a US defense official. It is rare for US troops to deploy inside Israel, but this is a typical number of troops to operate the anti-missile defense system. The THAAD system is specifically meant for anti-ballistic missile defense and could help Israel better defend itself against a future Iranian attack if Iran decides to respond to any Israeli strike.

Persons: Israel “, Patrick Ryder, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Defense, Israel, Wednesday, US, Street Journal Locations: Israel, Maj, Iran, Sea, Cyprus

☆ Putin hails ‘very close’ links with Iran at landmark first meeting with president, as Middle East tensions soar
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Lauren Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Iran has supplied thousands of “Shahed” attack drones to Russia, and according to US officials, built a drone factory in Russia. “We are actively working together in the international arena and our assessments of events taking place in the world are often very close,” Putin said during the landmark meeting, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. In a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Tehran last week, the Iranian leader called for accelerating joint projects. Meanwhile, Russia expressed interest in expanding trade and economic cooperation as well as diversifying its bilateral trade with Iran. “But, of course, the situation in the Middle East will not be ignored, it will also be on the agenda.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Masoud, “, ” Putin, ”, Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Bashar al, Assad, Bassiri Tabrizi, Ebrahim Raisi, Mikhail Mishustin, Pezeshkian, Dmitry Peskov, Viktor Bout, Brittney, Bout, ” CNN’s Gianluca Mezzofiore, Natasha Bertrand, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, Central, Ukraine, Moscow, Analysts, Russian, TASS, Street, Chatham House Locations: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, “, Moscow, Tehran, Syrian, Russian, Yemen

A major part of the fears is that the US’ influence with Israel has appeared to be steadily waning over the last year. Israel’s security cabinet has not yet reached a decision on how to proceed, an Israeli official told CNN on Friday. As of last week, Israel had not given any assurances that it would not target Iran’s nuclear facilities, CNN reported. Israel has for decades been planning attacks on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and just two years ago simulated striking them in a military exercise. ‘Our strike will be powerful’Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a strong warning to Iran about his country’s response on Wednesday.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Hassan Nasrallah, ”, “, Israel —, Yoav Gallant, ” Gallant, Jordan, Abbas Araghchi, Al, Netanyahu “, Araghchi, it’s, Ben Gurion, CNN’s Kayla Tausche, Dania Karni, Katie Bo Lillis Organizations: CNN, Israel, Wednesday, United Arab, US, Israel’s, Iran’s, Zionist Locations: Tehran, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Arab, Iran, Damascus, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut, France, cyberattacks, Saudi Arabia, Jordanian, backchannels, Washington, Yom, Tel Aviv

On the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks, Gaza’s north was hit with more Israeli strikes, with no end in sight to the war devastating the enclave. Israel’s objective of defeating Hamas still seems far from reach as its military offensives in Gaza continue to ramp up. Israel launched a new ground operation in northern Gaza on Sunday and encircled the Jabalya refugee camp, where it says it saw signs of Hamas regrouping. Earlier this year, Israel’s military said it had defeated Hamas in northern Gaza, only to announce new offensives there in May. The camp was targeted early on in Israel’s response to Hamas’ attacks one year ago and has been struck several times during the war.

Persons: ”, haven’t, ” Lena, Philippe Lazzarini Organizations: Hamas, United Nations, Residents, CNN, Mercy Corps, UN, UNRWA Locations: Gaza, Israel, Jabalya, Israeli

Ukraine has asked for both systems repeatedly, another source familiar with their requests said. Cavoli’s list does not address why the US hasn’t provided systems that he assesses would be of value. Nearly three years into the war, the Ukrainians are still pleading with the US to provide more advanced weaponry and lift restrictions on how long-range missile systems provided by the US can be used. Biden, who has to date prohibited the Ukrainians from deploying the missile systems for deep strikes into Russia, was not entirely dismissive of the request, the sources said. Officials also argue that that the US’ limited supply of long-range ATACMS systems are better used against targets in Crimea.

Persons: Biden, Chris Cavoli, Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Zelensky, “ Trump, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Putin “, Bill Burns Organizations: CNN, NATO, Biden, Joint, US, White House, Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Pentagon, Kremlin, CIA Locations: Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Zelensky’s, Germany, Crimea, Sea Island , Georgia

As with Gaza, US officials say Israel was initially planning for a much larger ground incursion into Lebanon before the US convinced it to scale back. ‘The right moment’ for diplomacyThe US still wants to see Lebanon ceasefire talks resume, officials said, and US officials continue to believe that the conflict can only be resolved diplomatically. Nasrallah and other members of Hezbollah’s senior leadership are now dead as a result of Israel’s operations in Lebanon. Earlier in the day, a reluctant Biden told reporters he’d be “comfortable with [Israel] stopping” the campaign in Lebanon that risked further inflaming the region. Behind closed doors, sources say, Biden offered reluctant support for eliminating Hezbollah infrastructure along Israel’s border and in southern Lebanon, as long as Israel’s operations remained limited in nature.

Persons: Israel upended, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Biden, Israel, Matthew Miller, that’s, Joe Biden, ” Alon Pinkas, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, Gallant, Pinkas, ” Pinkas, Netanyahu, Hassan Nasrallah, ” Gallant, ‘, “ We’re, Karine Jean, Pierre, ”, Nasrallah, Austin, “, “ What’s, Antony Blinken, CQ Brown, National Intelligence Avril Haines –, he’d, hasn’t, ” Maj, Patrick Ryder, ” Israel, Ryder, Miller, CNN’s MJ Lee, Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Biden, White House, Hamas, ”, ” Senior, US, Israeli, Israel, Iran, Joint Chiefs, National Intelligence, Pentagon, State Department Locations: Lebanon, Iran, Gaza, Israel, France, ”, Washington, Israeli, New York, Beirut, Lebanese, “, Austin, Beirut’s

Ilia Yefimovich/dpa/APThis week’s ground incursion into southern Lebanon is the latest chapter in a long history of Israel sending its troops into the territory of its northern neighbor. In response, Israel occupied most of the southern part of the country, despite Lebanon’s claims it had nothing to do with the bus attack. But it resulted in a years-long occupation of southern Lebanon and Israeli troops bogged down in a protracted and increasingly unpopular war. Israeli troops withdrew from West Beirut after that but continued to occupy southern Lebanon until 2000. 2006: In 2006, Hezbollah militants infiltrated Israel in a surprise attack, killing eight Israeli soldiers and kidnapping two more in an attempt to prompt a prisoner exchange.

Persons: Ilia Yefimovich, Israel, Sabra, Shatila Organizations: Palestinian Liberation Organization, PLO, United Nations Interim Force, Christian Lebanese, UN, Human Rights Watch, IDF Locations: Lebanon, Israel, UNIFIL, West Beirut

☆ US troops deployed to Cyprus as fears of wider Middle East war intensify
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The UK announced on Tuesday that it was sending 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for a possible emergency evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon if one becomes necessary. The US State Department has also repeatedly warned US citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial travel options are still available. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the US is “working tirelessly” on diplomatic efforts to prevent an “full-blown war” between Israel and Lebanon. A US official told CNN on Monday that “we are the closest we’ve been to spiraling to a regional war” since Hamas’ October 7 attack. Tehran has not intervened yet, but they will if they believe they are about to lose their most powerful proxy force, Hezbollah, the official added.

Persons: Pat Ryder, Yiannis Antoniou, ”, Keir Starmer, Israel, Antony Blinken, ” Blinken Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Pentagon, Reuters, British, US State Department, Ramat David, Wednesday, Israel Defense Forces, Gulf Cooperation Council, UN, Assembly Locations: Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut, Ramat, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Gulf, New York, Iran, Tehran

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