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☆ Meet the Press – November 17, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +58 min

And by the way, I do believe that President Trump has the ability to pick some really, really good people. We've seen what they've done to President Trump, we've seen the attacks that they continue to go after him with. That's - that’s being taken completely out of context. And President Trump hasn't been the one that weaponized the DOJ to go after his political enemies. I think that's a pretty controversial pick, from whatever pronoun that he or he - he or she decides to use.

Persons: KRISTEN WELKER, Donald Trump’s, SEN, LISA MURKOWSKI, SUSAN COLLINS, KEVIN CRAMER, JOHN BOLTON, Trump’s, Trump, MIKE JOHNSON, JOHN, CHUCK SCHUMER, DONALD TRUMP, Hakeem Jeffries, Markwayne Mullin, Amna Nawaz, Eugene Daniels, Jen Psaki, Lanhee Chen, it’s, Kristen Welker, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, who's, we're, Mike Johnson, Johnson, MATT GAETZ, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, he's, ROBERT F KENNEDY JR, I'm, I've, LEX FRIDMAN, Trump's, Pete Hegseth, Hegseth, ” Hegseth, SHAWN RYAN, PETE HEGSETH, Mullin, Press . SEN, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Kristen, you've, Kristi Noem, Matt Gaetz's, they're, Matt, Here's, We've, we've, Biden, Hunter Biden, didn't, Trump hasn't, Garland, Pete, Bobby Kennedy, Bobby, Rachel, Sam, There's, Pete Buttigieg, Let's, Kristen –, there's, let's, Chuck Schumer, Obama, Canning, we'll, He's, Jeffries, HAKEEM JEFFRIES, Roe, Wade, Pelosi's, Pelosi, It's, Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn, Steny Hoyer, That's, should've, Kamala Harris, it's, Matt Gaetz –, Tulsi Gabbard, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Assad, She's, Dick Durbin, Donald Trump's, Politico “ Playbook, AMNA NAWAZ, Jim Mattis, Rex Tillerson, John Kelly, Eugene, EUGENE DANIELS, –, Susan Collins, hasn't, LANHEE CHEN, aren't, Doug Burgum, Marco Rubio, Elise Stefanik, Jen, JEN PSAKI, – AMNA NAWAZ, that's, Thune, Biden's, George W, Bush, Joe Biden, JOE BIDEN, – I’ve, —, – JEN PSAKI, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, We're, We'll Organizations: GOP, Democratic, Oklahoma, PBS, White House Press, Hoover Institution, Press, NBC, Department of Justice, Mar, FBI, CDC, ATF, DOJ, NBC News, Republicans, of Health, Human Services, Defense, Fox News, Police, Republican, Pentagon, Press ., Trump, Senate, Biden, White, Justice Department, America, Senate Armed Services Committee, The Washington, HHS, of Energy, Department of Transportation, RFK Jr, ’, House Democratic, Democracy, REP, House Democrats, Social, Medicare, Democrats, Committee, of, Politico, Stanford University, Trump’s, Gaetz, Department of Defense, Office, Mr, Republican Party, Democratic Party Locations: Washington, America, Florida, Monterey , California, States, Oklahoma, Russia, United States, Afghanistan, Iraq, New York, American, Syria, Russian, Will, California, –, Trump

☆ Elon Musk is looking for trillions in government waste, and defense is a massive potential target
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Elon Musk to help spearhead cuts to government spending, and the defense sector could be a prime target. But Musk's past comments hint at one area he could target: defense contracts. Musk built SpaceX's business model around fixed-price contracts. Musk's new initiative could recommend exactly this: a move away from cost-plus contracts toward fixed-price contracts. An aerial view of the Pentagon AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, FileMusk's new initiative may target other areas of Pentagon spending, as well.

Persons: Donald Trump, Elon, Elon Musk, It's, Trump, Musk, Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Clayton Swope, Walter Isaacson's, Swope, John Raoux Overspending, Gerald R, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Ford, Steve Helber, Bryan McGrath, Todd Harrison, —, Harrison, Michael Bohnert, they've, Archer Macy, Patrick Semansky, John Harvey Jr, Mississippi Sen, Roger Wicker Organizations: Defense, Pentagon, Department of Government, SpaceX, NASA, AP, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Services, International Space, Kennedy Space Center, Littoral, Ford, DoD, Republican, Palantir Technologies, Newport News Shipbuilding, American Enterprise Institute, Shipbuilding, BAE Systems, RAND Corporation, CSIS, US Air Force, Navy, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Pennsylvania, Columbia, China, Wisconsin, Virginia, Mississippi

☆ Democratic senators call for probe into Musk's Russia calls: Reuters
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Reports that billionaire Elon Musk has held multiple calls with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, should be investigated by the Pentagon and law-enforcement agencies on national-security grounds, two senior Democratic senators said in a letter seen by Reuters on Friday. Musk, who has been appointed to a senior government role by Republican President-elect Donald Trump, oversees billions of dollars in Pentagon and intelligence-community contracts as CEO of aerospace company SpaceX. Several Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for a probe into Musk's communications with Moscow since a Wall Street Journal report last month on the alleged contact, but the letter to the U.S. officials who could launch such an investigation has not been previously reported. SpaceX, Musk and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon and Justice Department did not immediately respond to similar requests.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Musk, Jeanne Shaheen, Jack Reed, General Merrick Garland, Shaheen, Reed, Trump Organizations: Republican, Pentagon, Democratic, Reuters, SpaceX, Foreign Relations, Senate Armed Services, U.S, White, of Government Efficiency, Justice Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, Moscow

☆ NASA chief and Democratic lawmakers urge investigation into reports of Musk-Putin conversations
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-27 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin have shared secret calls since 2022. A former DoD analyst said that a relationship like this could pose national security concerns. Because of his work with the federal government via SpaceX, Musk holds a security clearance that gives him access to some classified information. "The security clearance adjudication process looks at several factors, and undue foreign influence is just one of those factors," Stransky, now a partner at Thompson Hine law firm, said. The existence of an ongoing Musk-Putin relationship would be further complicated by the billionaire tech leader's recent foray into US politics.

Persons: Elon Musk, Vladimir Putin, —, Bill Nelson, Musk, Putin, Nelson, Semafor, Adam Smith, aren't, Sen, Jeanne Shaheen, Smith, Shaheen, Dmitry Peskov, Steven Stransky, Thompson, Stansky, Robert English, Xi, Trump, he's, Tesla Organizations: Street Journal, Washington, Service, Democratic, SpaceX, Business, NASA, Department of Defense, House Armed Services Committee, Politico, Defense Department, New, New Hampshire Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Senate Armed Services Committee, DoD, National Reconnaissance Office, astronautics, Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, National Security Council, Central, University of Southern, Trump Locations: New Hampshire, University of Southern California, Taiwan

☆ The US Navy is burning through missiles in the Middle East that it would need in a war with China
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The US Navy has been burning through interceptors fighting in Middle East conflicts, including the valuable SM-3. AdvertisementUS Navy warships have twice been called upon to defend Israel from massive Iranian ballistic missile attacks and have used SM-3 interceptors to defeat the incoming threats. But it's not just the SM-3 that the Navy is using up battling foes in the Middle East. In a short-range engagement, China's missiles wouldn't need to travel as high, and they would likely have shorter flight times and travel at slower speeds. And the number of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, long-range cruise missiles designed by RTX, being produced has decreased annually as well.

Persons: —, RTX, Archer Macy, Fitzgerald, Bryan McGrath, it's, Yemen that's, Macy, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Del Toro, Jim Fein, Fein, Sen, Roger Wicker, Wicker, Bryan Clark, Burke, Laura Radspinner, Clark Organizations: US Navy, Service, Navy, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Combat, US, Iranian, Getty, Center for Strategic, Studies ' Missile Defense, Pentagon, The Heritage Foundation, Republican, Senate Armed Services Committee, Biden, Hudson Institute, Stout Locations: Middle East, China, Israel, Iran, Iranian, USS, Erie, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, Lake Erie

Russian intelligence services are building up their presence in Mexico for spy operations targeting the United States, a return to Cold War tactics by an increasingly aggressive regime, according to U.S. officials and former intelligence officers. The Mexican Embassy and the Russian Embassy did not respond to a request for comment. “Part of this is a function of the fact that so many Russian intelligence officers have been kicked out of Europe. Those are Russian intelligence personnel, and they keep an eye very closely on their opportunities to have influence on U.S. opportunities and access,” VanHerck said. Russian intelligence could conceivably also take advantage of Mexico’s proximity to target Putin’s political enemies inside the U.S., former intelligence officers said.

Persons: Biden, William Burns, ” Burns, ”, Vincenzo Circosta, “, Paul Kolbe, Glen VanHerck, ” VanHerck, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Trotsky, —, ideologues, Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Ramon Mercader, John Sipher, ” Sipher, Christopher Boyce, Andrew Daulton Lee, Lee, Boyce, Harold “ Jim ” Nicholson, Hector Cabrera Fuentes, Fuentes, Douglas London, enforcement’s, Natalia Sedova's, Claudio Cruz, ” Kolbe Organizations: U.S, NBC News, Mexican Embassy, Russian Embassy, CIA, “, Kremlin, Getty, . Air Force, U.S . Northern Command, Senate Armed Services Committee, TRW, Soviet Embassy, Bettmann, Museum Locations: Mexico, United States, Russia, Mexico City, Moscow, Washington, Ukraine, Mexican, Russian, Europe, London, Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, Anadolu, Balkans, U.S, “, Cuba, Soviet Union, Spanish, Los Angeles, Soviet, manacles, Seattle, surveilling, Miami, American, AFP, Colombia

☆ A Navy SEAL unit that killed Osama bin Laden may be training Taiwanese forces to defeat a possible Chinese invasion, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewAn elite Navy SEAL unit may be preparing Taiwanese forces for reconnaissance operations and missions to repel a Chinese invasion, retired Navy officers said after a report said the unit had been training for such an eventuality for over a year. AdvertisementAccording to three retired Navy officers, the unit may be training Taiwanese soldiers to fight back against China should it invade Taiwan. One, he told BI, "is training Taiwanese forces in reconnaissance and perhaps direct attack, focusing on missions that might be required to defeat a Chinese invasion." "Naval reconnaissance forces would locate Chinese forces for long-range attacks," he said, adding: "They might also launch attacks against offshore ships or shipping in Chinese ports." Reports have already given clues as to how the US is preparing for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Persons: —, Osama bin Laden, Mark Cancian, Bradley Martin, Sam Tangredi, Graeme Thompson, Joe Biden, Samuel Paparo, Martin, Cancian, Daniel Ceng, Phil Davidson, Davidson, Feng Hao, Paparo, Frank Kendall, Kendall Organizations: Service, Navy SEAL, Financial Times, Business, Navy, Marine, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US Navy, Getty, Eurasia Group, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Pacific Command, Washington Post, Congressional Research Service, Senate Armed Services Committee, Theater Command, PLA, China Military, Anadolu, American Enterprise Institute, Institute for, Japan's Nikkei, RAND Corp, US Air Force, Air & Space Forces Association Locations: Virginia, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Pakistan, China, People's Republic of China, Pingtung County, AFP, Washington ,, Australia, United States, Taichung, Anadolu, Pacific

WASHINGTON — Congress is considering boosting funding for the Secret Service after what the FBI called an apparent second attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life in 10 weeks. "Nobody's going to want to deny the Secret Service the funding that it needs as long as it justifies it." And Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee, agreed that both parties would be "very amenable" to any Secret Service funding request. Trump's Secret Service detail on Sunday thwarted what the FBI characterized as a second apparent assassination attempt on him while he was golfing at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida. “One thing I want to make clear, the Secret Service needs more help.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, they’re, protectees, Chuck Schumer, ” Sen, Susan Collins, Ron Rowe, Trump, Collins, Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Ron Johnson, “ That’s, ”, Jack Reed, Tim Kaine, Ryan Wesley Routh, Routh, Joe Biden, God ”, Biden, Lindsey Graham, Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, he’s, “ We’re Organizations: WASHINGTON, Service, FBI, Republican, Committee, Fox News, Trump, Homeland Security Committee, Secret, Homeland Security, Senate Armed Services, NBC News, Democratic, AK Locations: WASHINGTON —, Maine, Virginia, West Palm Beach , Florida

☆ How the New Hampshire National Guard failed to protect women
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

His attorney told CNN Patterson is expected to retire as a major, one rank below lieutenant colonel, by November 1. His case is perhaps the most high-profile example of a problem women say has plagued the New Hampshire National Guard for years: A toxic, sexist work environment. The New Hampshire National Guard told CNN in a statement that 2023 was an anomalous year for sexual assault reports. “There’s way too much of ‘foxes guarding the henhouse’ in every angle of the [National Guard Bureau],” the IRC member said. “The National Guard belongs to the governors, and so they can do what they want.”The office of New Hampshire Gov.

Persons: Mark Patterson, Patterson, ”, he’d, CNN Patterson, “, Kennith Kruger, Patterson “, ’, Katrina Dupuis, Dupuis, weren’t, ’ ” Dupuis, ” Dupuis, she’d, “ aren’t, David Mikolaities, didn’t, Emily Paige Kamal, ” Kamal, Kate Kuzminski, ” Kuzminski, Maj, Charles Johnston, Chris Sununu, Sununu, Jaleesa Ackerman, Ackerman, ’ ”, Keri Wareing, Wareing, ” Wareing, Jeanne Shaheen, they’ve, Shaheen, OCI, Shaheen “, They’re Organizations: CNN, New Hampshire National Guard, Army, National Guard, Guard, New Hampshire National, New Hampshire National Guard’s Army, Department of, New, New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs, Veterans Services, The New Hampshire National Guard, ‘, Pentagon, Military, Veterans, Center, New American Security, Pembroke , New Hampshire . Tech, Defense, Independent Review Commission, National Guard Bureau, New Hampshire Gov, Services, Manchester Police Department, Mikolaities, Criminal, Organization, Independent, Capitol, Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate National Guard Caucus Locations: New Hampshire, Wyoming, NH, The, New American, Pembroke , New Hampshire, New

☆ Kamala Harris wants a Republican in her cabinet. It's still not clear who that might be.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewIt was probably the most noteworthy thing to come out of Kamala Harris' much-anticipated CNN interview late last month: The Vice President, if elected, pledged to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. "It may be difficult to find a rational, sane person who still identifies as a Republican" that would agree to serve in Harris' cabinet, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut quipped. "There are a lot of Republicans that I think are capable of assuming Cabinet positions," Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts said. "I'm not floating people's names for particular positions," Rep. Ro Khanna of California said, shortly after heaping praise on Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and former Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin. Though he said Harris' pledge was a "positive step," he made clear on Tuesday that he's not interested in serving in her administration.

Persons: —, Kamala Harris, Jamie Raskin, Maryland, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Harris, Sen, JD Vance, Trump, Richard Blumenthal, Rep, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Bernie Sanders, wryly, Jim McGovern, Ro Khanna, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Gallagher, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger of, Kinzinger, Cheney, Raskin, Cheney hasn't, he'd, Tim Kaine, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Kaine, There's, Mitt Romney, he's, I've, Romney, I'm Organizations: Service, CNN, Republican, Business, Connecticut, Hill, Vermont, Massachusetts, Democrats, Los Angeles Times, Senate Armed Services Committee, Defense, Utah Republican, Trump Locations: Alexandria, Cortez of New York, California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Harris, Virginia

☆ NORAD intercepts Russian TU-95 Bear, Chinese H-6 bombers operating together near Alaska in first such flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Oren Liebermann | Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what a US defense official said was the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together. The US and Canada, which together comprise NORAD, intercepted the Russian TU-95 Bear and Chinese H-6 bombers. It also marks the first time H-6 bombers, which are a derivative of older Soviet bombers, have entered the Alaska ADIZ, the defense official said. The intercept was carried out by US F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as Canadian CF-18 fighter jets, according to the defense official. In May, Russia flew four aircraft into Alaska’s ADIZ, which NORAD said at the time “occurs regularly.”But the presence of Chinese aircraft appears to be a new development.

Persons: Gregory Guillot, ” Guillot, ” Organizations: CNN, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Canadian CF, US Northern Command, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Alaska, Canada, Russian, Russia, China

☆ Warren sounds alarm on T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular deal with Justice Department, FCC
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Emily Wilkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — A group of Democratic senators are sounding the alarm over T-Mobile's proposal to acquire most of US Cellular, and asking the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission to closely scrutinize and consider challenging the deal. The $4.4 billion deal announced in May 2024 would allow T-Mobile to use part U.S. Cellular's wireless spectrum to improve its coverage in rural areas and give it access to four million new customers. Under the agreement, U.S. Cellular would retain 70% of its wireless spectrum and towers, leasing space on other towers to T-Mobile. In Monday's letter, the lawmakers also ask the Justice Department to consider unwinding that merger, arguing that it cost customers of competing wireless carriers billions of dollars. A spokesperson for T-Mobile did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter from CNBC.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren, WASHINGTON, Amy Klobuchar, Chris Murphy, Conn, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, Klobuchar Organizations: Senate Armed Services, Washington , D.C, US Cellular, Justice Department, Federal Communications Commission, CNBC, Cellular, Mobile, Warren, Sprint, Department, U.S Locations: Afghanistan, South, Central Asia, Washington ,, Sens, Minn, U.S

☆ The US Navy needs to find more ships it can load up with missiles amid shipbuilding delays, Congress says with eyes on China
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewCongress has requested that the US Navy conduct a study looking into other ships it can arm with missiles given the pressing need to maintain US naval power amid ongoing shipbuilding delays. AdvertisementThe committee report added that it doesn't believe the Navy is adequately preparing to meet requirements for those capabilities in the near-term. Related storiesThe request comes in response to delays on the first new Constellation-class guided missile frigate, which won't be delivered until at least 2029, three years behind schedule, per a Navy report earlier this year. Newport News Shipbuilding workers and Navy sailors walk past the USS George Washington as it rests pier side.

Persons: —, George Washington, Jonathon Gruenke, Frank Kendall, Carlos Del Toro Organizations: Service, US Navy, Business, US Senate Armed Services Committee, Pacific Command, Navy, Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginian, Tribune, Getty, Columbia, Department of Defense, Air Force, Commonwealth of Locations: China, People's Republic of China, Columbia, Okinawa, Guam, Commonwealth, Northern Mariana

☆ Former GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe, famous for throwing a snowball in the Senate chamber, dead at 89
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Former Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma, has died at age 89, Tulsa World and Politico report. AdvertisementThe Oklahoma Republican first became chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in 2003, and served as the committee's top Republican until 2017. Inhofe's position as chair of the environmental committee offered him a prominent platform from which he denied the science behind climate change. But despite his record on climate change, Inhofe notably had a warm friendship with his counterpart Boxer, a liberal Democrat who was outspoken about the need to address climate change. Advertisement"Jim is a climate change denier, he is really, really conservative," said Sanders, noted that even praising Inhofe had the potential to "probably ruin his political career."

Persons: Sen, Jim Inhofe, Kay, David Boren, Inhofe, John McCain's, Democratic Sen, Barbara Boxer of, Tom Williams, Al Gore, who's, Al Gore's, Boxer, Mitch McConnell, Boxer's, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders of, Sanders Organizations: Service, Republican, Tulsa, Politico, Senate, Business, State, Senate Armed, Committee, Democrats, Democratic, Environment, Public, Oklahoma, of, Oklahoma Republican, Senate Environment, University of East, ABC News, Democrat, Associated Press, Independent, firebrand Locations: Oklahoma, Barbara Boxer of California, Iowa, Tulsa, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom, Flint , Michigan, Bernie Sanders of Vermont

☆ Ex-Sen. Jim Inhofe has died, McConnell says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Former US Sen. Jim Inhofe, a former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee who was one of the most vocal climate change deniers in the US Senate, has died, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Tuesday. Inhofe, 89, served in the US Senate from 1994 until he retired in 2023. “The people he served, a group much larger than the proud residents of the Sooner State, were better for it,” McConnell said in a statement. His relentless advocacy for American energy dominance unlocked new prosperity across the country. “If we wanted the government to work for the people, not against the people, it was up to us to make a change,” Inhofe said at the time.

Persons: Former US Sen, Jim Inhofe, Mitch McConnell, ” McConnell, “, Inhofe, ”, –, Senate –, ” Inhofe Organizations: CNN, Former US, Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate, Sooner State, Heartland, Republican, Senate Environment, Public, Tulsa, US Locations: Inhofe

☆ Top GOP senator on Armed Services Committee opposes proposed changes to military draft registration and having women drafted
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat of Rhode Island, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was only “vaguely aware” of the House proposal but said it might be worth doing. And there is no need to be talking about a draft right now.”An accompanying issue is whether to require women to register for the draft. The version of the NDAA that passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee last week amends the Military Selective Service Act requiring women to register for Selective Service. We have had amendments that would have required women to register and we can’t get any real traction on the other side. Wicker gave a one word answer – “no” – when asked about adding having women register.

Persons: that’s, Republican Sen, Roger Wicker of, Washington shouldn’t, Chrissy Houlahan, NDAA, Sen, Jack Reed, ”, “, ” Reed, ” Wicker, Reed, Wicker Organizations: CNN, Republican, Senate Armed Services, Selective Service, Democratic, GOP, Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Rep, Air Force, National Defense, Senate Armed, Committee, Military Selective Service Locations: Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Europe, Russia, China, Iran, North Korea

☆ 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

☆ Sen. Warren warns Powell against weakening banking regulations: ‘Do your job’
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I am disappointed by press reports indicating that you are personally intervening—after numerous meetings with big bank CEOs—to delay and water down the Basel III capital rules," said Warren. Last year, three U.S. banking regulators including the Federal Reserve unveiled the proposed rules, a long-expected regime shift around bank capital and risky activities such as trading and lending. The regulations incorporate new international standards created as a response to the 2008 global financial crisis. In March, Powell told lawmakers that he expected "broad and material changes" to the proposal in the wake of the industry's campaign against the rules. Warren urged Powell to allow a Federal Reserve Board vote on the original, tougher Basel proposal by the end of this month.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Jerome Powell, Warren, Powell, —, JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, Donald Trump Organizations: Senate Armed Services, Washington , D.C, Federal, CNBC, Federal Reserve, Bank, JPMorgan, Street, Fed Locations: Afghanistan, South, Central Asia, Washington ,, Basel, Basel III, U.S

☆ Opinion | America’s Military Is Not Prepared for War — or Peace
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Roger Wicker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“To be prepared for war,” George Washington said, “is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” President Ronald Reagan agreed with his forebear’s words, and peace through strength became a theme of his administration. It is far past time to rebuild America’s military. President Vladimir Putin of Russia has thrown Europe into war and mobilized his society for long-term conflict. Iran and its proxy groups have escalated their shadow war against Israel and increased attacks on U.S. ships and soldiers. Iran has provided Russia with battlefield drones, and China is sending technical and logistical help to aid Mr. Putin’s war.

Persons: ” George Washington, “, Ronald Reagan, America’s, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin Organizations: U.S . Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S . Navy Locations: American, China, Russia, Europe, Iran, Israel, Korea

☆ U.S. intelligence chief warns Congress of rise in cyberattacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee May 2, 2024 in Washington, DC. The top U.S. intelligence official warned Congress of an alarming rise in cyberattacks at a hearing on global threats Thursday. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said the number of ransomware attacks worldwide grew as much as 74% in 2023. The comments from Haines come as various companies, such as UnitedHealth Group , MGM Resorts and Clorox , have been disrupted by cyberattacks in the past year. In 2023, cyberattacks also temporarily shut down MGM's hotel booking system and disrupted production at Clorox.

Persons: National Intelligence Avril Haines, Haines, Sen, Angus King, cyberattacks, They've, That's, King, Andrew Organizations: National Intelligence, Senate Armed Services, UnitedHealth, MGM Resorts, Clorox, cyberattacks, Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S, Healthcare Locations: Washington ,, cyberattacks, U.S, East, Maine, China, Russia, Clorox

☆ 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

The exact number of US troops in the country is not clear but one US official said there are fewer than 100 troops there. But the official said Chad’s threat to terminate the SOFA agreement blindsided US officials. The move comes at a critical time for US interests in Africa, as American officials have warned that Russian influence is expanding across the continent. While in the country, Langley met with Chadian military leaders including Gen. Abakar Abdelkerim Daoud, Chad’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, according to an AFRICOM press release at the time. Langley said in the release that AFRICOM “remains dedicated to building enduring partnerships with Chad and other African nations.”

Persons: Chad’s, Michael Langley, ” “, ” Langley, Langley, ”, AFRICOM’s, Michael Woods, Abakar Abdelkerim Daoud Organizations: CNN, Forces Agreement, Operations Task Force, US Special Operations Forces, Marine Corps, US Africa Command, Senate Armed Services Committee, Russian Federation, House Armed, Committee, Central, Chadian, Staff, Armed Forces Locations: Chad, Russia, N’Djamena, Niger, Africa, Russian, Libya, Maghreb, Morocco, ”, China, Chad’s

☆ Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries shows the growing threat AI drones pose to energy markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine's campaign of attacks against Russian oil refineries is demonstrating how relatively cheap drones that utilize artificial intelligence could pose a major threat to global energy markets. Ukraine-launched drones have hit 18 Russian oil refineries this year with a combined capacity of 3.9 million barrels per day, according to report published by JPMorgan earlier this month. Some 670,000 bpd of Russian refining capacity is currently offline due to the strikes, according to the bank. "Certainly, those attacks could have a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation," Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. The deployment of AI drones also has broader implications for global energy markets, according to Bob Brackett, a senior research analyst at Bernstein.

Persons: Natasha Kaneva, Lloyd Austin, Biden, Austin, we've, John Kilduff, Bob Brackett, Bernstein, Brackett Organizations: Reuters, JPMorgan, Kyiv, . Defense, Senate Armed Services Committee, Financial, Again Locations: Ukraine, Ryazan, Ryazan Region, Russia, Taneco, Kyiv, Moscow, Russian, China, India

☆ Oil prices could spike to $100 if Iran directly attacks Israel, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The price of global benchmark Brent crude oil could spike to $100 a barrel if Iran directly attacks Israel, a former senior White House energy official said. @LCO.1 YTD mountain Brent crude oil, YTD Oil rallied last week after a missile attack destroyed Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing seven Iranian military officials. "If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack Iran," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on the social media platform X , tagging Ayatollah Khamenei. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made clear that the Biden administration is worried about rising energy prices during congressional testimony Tuesday. "Certainly, those attacks could have a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation," Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Persons: Bob McNally, McNally, George W, Brent, YTD Oil, Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei, Israel Katz, Biden, terrify, Daniel Yergin, Yergin, CNBC's, Natasha Kaneva, Lloyd Austin, Austin Organizations: Brent, White House, Rapidan, Bloomberg News, YTD, Israel, Iran, Rapidan Energy, Biden, P Global, JPMorgan, Defense, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Iran, Israel, U.S, Washington, Damascus, Syria, OPEC, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Strait, Hormuz, Persian, Kyiv, Ukraine

☆ Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rejects accusations Israel has committed genocide in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Rebecca Shabad | Mosheh Gains | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on President Biden's proposed budget request for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday said the U.S. has seen no evidence that Israel has committed genocide during its military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Asked by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., whether that means Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza, Austin said again, "We don't have evidence of that." Earlier in the hearing, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., had asked the defense secretary if Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7 should be considered an act of genocide. "What we witnessed on Oct. 7, senator, was a horrific terrorist attack by Hamas," Austin said, adding it "certainly is a war crime."

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Biden's, Israel, Austin, Joe Biden's, Sen, Tom Cotton, Roger Wicker Organizations: Defense, Armed Services, Department of Defense, Capitol, Israel Defense Forces, Gaza Ministry of Health, United Nations, International Court of Justice, General Assembly Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Gaza, Israel, South Africa

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