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☆ Biden signals openness to using Western long-range missiles inside Russia as he meets Britain’s leader to discuss
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The president has long resisted calls from Ukrainian officials to ease restrictions on the weapons. “We’re working that out right now,” Biden said when questioned this week whether he would permit Western-provided long-range missiles to target military sites like airfields, missile launchers, fuel tanks and ammunition depots inside Russia. Still, that the conversation over long-range weapons is happening at all is an indication of how stalled battlefield dynamics are causing western leaders to rethink their approach. The revelation that Iran has been providing Russia with ballistic missiles has changed the debate over Ukraine’s capabilities, Lammy said. Earlier in the week, the bipartisan congressional Ukraine caucus called on Biden to allow Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with the long-range weapons.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ” Biden, Friday’s Biden, Starmer, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Antony Blinken, “, it’s, we’ll, ” Blinken, Andrii Sybiha, David Lammy, Lammy, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Ukraine’s, Sen, Ben Cardin, Jeanne Shaheen of, ” Shaheen, ” Organizations: Washington CNN, British, White, US, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Ukrainian, National Security, Labour Party’s, NATO, Defense, Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Defense Department, Ukraine “, Senior, Senate Foreign Relations, Biden, Republican Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, United Kingdom, Kyiv, France, Iran, Western, Kursk, Washington, Russian, United States, British, Germany, Crimea, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire

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

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

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

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

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

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

☆ The US naval presence around the Middle East is getting a firepower boost. Here are the warships already there and what's on the way.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Facing this possibility, the Pentagon has deployed a number of military assets to the Middle East this month to defend Israel and US troops in the region. When these forces arrive on station, they will join a wide range of existing naval capabilities in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean that were already deployed in response to various conflicts and crises. AdvertisementAdditionally, two destroyers — USS Bulkeley and USS Roosevelt — have been in the area for several weeks. Warships in transitA MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter flies next to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on August 2. The coming Lincoln strike group consists of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the destroyers USS Spruance, USS Stockdale, USS Frank E. Petersen, and USS O'Kane.

Persons: —, Israel —, Defense Lloyd Austin, Sydney Milligan, Bulkeley, Roosevelt —, Laboon, Cole, Aden —, Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier, Dwight D, Michael Murphy, John S, McCain, Daniel Inouye, Russell —, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Kimmelman, Roosevelt, USS Stockdale, Frank E, Petersen, USS O'Kane, Austin, Pat Ryder Organizations: Service, US Navy, Business, Pentagon, Defense, Sydney, Ready Group, US European Command, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, US Central Command, Oman Sailors, Hornet, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Eisenhower Carrier Strike, Warships, Communication, US, Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, Lincoln, Pentagon Press, Air Force Locations: Israel, Iran, Tehran, East, American, Gibraltar, Lebanon, New York, Souda, Crete, Yemen, Red, Gulf, Aden, Oman, CENTCOM, Gulf of Oman, Beirut, Philippine, Georgia, The Ohio

☆ A US Navy carrier strike group equipped with F-35 stealth fighters is rushing to the Middle East along with a submarine packed with Tomahawk missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe US is accelerating the deployment of a carrier strike group to the Middle East and sending a guided-missile submarine to the region, the Pentagon announced late on Sunday. Attached to the Lincoln, the lead ship of the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group 3, is a carrier air wing equipped with a squadron of fifth-generation F-35C stealth fighters. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln maneuvers through a turn while underway in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia returns to its homeport at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. Both Iran and Hamas vowed revenge for the shocking killings, which sparked fears that any retaliation from Tehran and its proxies could send the Middle East spiraling into even more conflict.

Persons: —, Defense Lloyd Austin, Abraham Lincoln, Austin, Lincoln, Pat Ryder, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier, . Lee Apsley, Yoav Gallant, Ashley Berumen, Israel Organizations: Service, Pentagon, Sunday, Defense, Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, Business, Pentagon Press, US Navy's Carrier, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike, Fleet, Navy, US, Command, Israeli, Naval Submarine Base, US Navy, Mass, Lincoln, Raptors Locations: Israel, Iran, Pacific, East, Lincoln, Gulf, Oman, Georgia, an Ohio, Austin, United States, Ohio, Bay , Georgia, Lebanon, Tehran

Beirut, Lebanon CNN —Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said his group will respond to Israel “regardless of the consequences” to avenge the assassination of the group’s top commander a week ago, but keeping Israelis waiting is “part of the punishment.”“Their government, their army, their society, their settlements and their occupiers are all waiting,” Nasrallah said. Keeping Israel waiting is “part of the battle,” he added. The monthslong, cross-border exchange of fire intensified Tuesday morning after Hezbollah launched a “swarm” of drones towards what it said are military targets in northern Israeli cities. The Israeli military said the building was used by Hezbollah. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his Islamic Revolutionary Guard promised Israel a “painful” response for the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ” “, ” Nasrallah, ”, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Ali Khamenei, Israel, Asad, Defense Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, Haniyeh Organizations: Lebanon CNN, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Al, Pentagon, Defense, Officials, Organization of Islamic Cooperation Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Israel, Nahariya, Iran, Shukr, Tehran, Haniyeh, Asad Airbase, Iraq, Jordanian, Jeddah

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Such escalation could also jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages, despite recent progress in negotiations. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed comprehensive security strategies to protect Israel, according to a statement on Monday. Israel was considering its options to prepare for a regional attack over the weekend. The country braces for war in its own way and tends to pick up after itself.

Persons: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ismail Haniyeh, ”, Israel, Israel hasn’t, “, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Michael Kurilla, Kurilla, Ayman Safadi, Badr Abdelatti, Ali Bagheri Kani, ‘, Masoud Pezeshkian, Safadi, Nasser Kanaani, Fu’ad Shukr, Majdal Shams, Hassan Nasrallah, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” “, ” Netanyahu, Ali Bagheri, Netanyahu, Gallant, Daniel Hagari, Lebanon scrambledto, floaties, Samer Othman, Jalaa Marey, Othman, Liz Nicholas, David Adom, Be’er, Ivana Reiser, Zeev Jabotinsky, Naama, ” Be’er, ” Baer, Reiser, Roy Dror, Ron Heckmann, they’re, Dror, ” Heckmann, Uri Shacham, Shacham Organizations: Jerusalem CNN —, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Saturday, US, Israeli, Defense, US Central Command, Jordanian, Egypt’s, Zionist, Israel, Iran, Sunday, Getty Images Israel, Hezbollah, CNN, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Getty, MDA Locations: Beirut, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Gaza, United States, Syria, Majdal, Golan, ”, AFP, Cairo, Lebanese, Beirut’s, Mount Herzl, London, Nahariyah

☆ Putin arrives in North Korea for first visit in 24 years as anti-West alignment deepens
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Following his visit to North Korea, Putin is scheduled to travel to Hanoi in a display of Communist-governed Vietnam’s ties to Russia that is likely to rankle the United States. Putin’s trip to North Korea will have a “very eventful” agenda, his aide Yuri Ushakov said during a press conference Monday. One image was of a grandstand being constructed on the eastern side of Kim Il Sung Square, the site where all major parades in North Korea are held. Putin arrives in North Korea on Tuesday, June 18. But Russia’s apparent increasing reliance on North Korea and rising frictions with the West appear to have shifted that dynamic.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Putin, Kim, Yuri Ushakov, Ushakov, Kim Il, John Kirby, Biden, wasn’t “, ’ Kim, ” Kim, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, “, ” Putin, Kim Jong Il, Xi Jinping, Michael Mitsanas, Katharina Krebs, Mariya Knight, Yoonjung Seo, Betsy Klein, Paul P, Murphy Organizations: CNN, TASS, Putin, Planet Labs, Maxar Technologies, US, North Korean, North, South Korea’s, Chiefs of Staff, West, Ukrainian, Kyiv, NATO, Ukraine, Defense, Kremlin, United Nations Security, UN Locations: North Korea, Pyongyang, Ukraine, Korean, Korea, Hanoi, Russia, United States, Asia, Moscow, North, Zarubinreporter, South Korea, South, Russia’s, Eurasia, Italy, Kyiv, Russian, Vietnam, Beijing, China, Iran, South Africa, Brazil

☆ Russia’s Putin to visit North Korea in rare trip as anti-West alignment deepens
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Following his visit to North Korea, Putin will travel to Hanoi Wednesday for another two-day trip, in a display of Communist-governed Vietnam’s ties to Russia that is likely to rankle the United States. Both countries have denied North Korean arms exports. The Kremlin has said that Russia hopes to build a partnership with North Korea “in all possible areas,” according to Russian state media. Putin’s move to bolster North Korean ties has also been a boon for Kim, who remains unbowed by years of international sanctions over his illegal nuclear weapons program. But Russia’s apparent increasing reliance on North Korea and rising frictions with the West appear to have shifted that dynamic.

Persons: CNN — Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Putin, Kim, ” Kim, Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, “, ”, ” Putin, Kim Jong Il, Xi Jinping Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, Putin, North Korean, Pyongyang –, North, North Korea “, Ukrainian, Kyiv, NATO, Ukraine, Defense, United Nations Security, UN Locations: North Korea, Russian, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Hanoi, Russia, United States, South Korea, Moscow, Korean, Russia’s, Italy, Kyiv, Beijing, China, Iran, South Africa, Brazil

For much of the war, Ukraine has been constrained when it comes to using powerful Western weapons against Russia. Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty ImagesNortheast of Kharkiv, Russian forces continue to maintain a foothold in the town of Vovchansk. But “most of the city is under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces” Voloshyn told CNN. Further south along the eastern front line, Russians have made advances to the west of the city of Avdiivka which fell to Russian forces in February. Western weapons and a new push to draft more soldiers in to the Ukrainian military could give Ukraine the boost it needs.

Persons: Kyiv’s, Russia hasn’t, Defense Lloyd Austin, CNN’s Wolf, Valentyn Ogirenko, Yehor Cherniev, ”, Moscow’s, Kostiantyn, Nazar Voloshyn, Ukrainian Defense Forces ” Voloshyn, Yurii Fedorenko, HRMMU, Chasiv Yar, “ Organizations: CNN, Ukraine’s Security, US, ”, Defense, Ukrainian, National Security, Intelligence, HIMARS, Russian, Kharkiv –, Ukrainian Defense Forces, “, …, 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, UN, Rights, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Kherson, Moscow, Russia, Kharkiv, France, Germany, “, Russian, Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Ukrainian, Vovchansk, Chuhuiv Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, Donetsk, Luhansk, Chasiv, Avdiivka, Voloshyn

☆ 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

☆ Austin expresses 'concern' over China's activities in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC witnessed the two delegations walking out of the meeting venue, but neither Dong nor Austin responded to reporters' questions. According to a readout from the Pentagon, Austin said that the U.S. remains committed to its "one China" policy. He also added that more communication is necessary and will help to stabilize the military to military relations. The Pentagon readout mentioned Austin and Dong discussed North Korea's provocations, such as its contributions to Russia's war in Ukraine. Friday's meeting follows a video teleconference call between Austin and Dong in April.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Lloyd Austin, Dong Jun, Dong, Austin, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Wu Qian, Wu, CNBC's Lin Lin Organizations: Defense, SINGAPORE — U.S . Defense, CNBC, Pentagon, U.S, U.S . Department of Defense, PRC Locations: Singapore, Taiwan, SINGAPORE, China, U.S, Ukraine, Gaza, Austin

☆ Biden and Netanyahu's fraught relationship hits new low after U.S. pauses weapons shipment
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

"There's real skepticism in the administration that Rafah will bring about a deal for the hostages, like the Israelis have been saying." Pentagon confirms weapons shipment pause to IsraelThe Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday that the administration paused the delivery to Israel of a shipment of 1,800 two-thousand-pound bombs and 1,700 five-hundred-pound bombs. Netanyahu remains undeterred, saying that Israel will "stand alone" and fight "with our fingernails" if U.S. weapons shipments stopped. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) visits army units on the border between Israel and Gaza Strip near Rafah, Gaza on May 07, 2024. Israeli Ministry of Defense | Anadolu | Getty ImagesItamar Ben Gvir, Israel's far-right wing national security minister, posted on X simply writing: "Hamas [heart emoji] Biden."

Persons: Ahmad Gharabli, Richard Haass, Joe Biden, Haass, George W, Bush, Benjamin Netanyahu, Khan Yunis, Ashraf Amr, Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, Washington's, Austin, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Itamar Ben Gvir, emoji, It's, Will, Avi Melamed, Melamed, Clayton Allen, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Vermont, Sanders, Ali Jadallah Organizations: Hamas, AFP, Getty, U.S, Foreign Relations, Haaretz, Qatari, United Nations, WHO, Anadolu, CNN, Pentagon, Biden, Defense, Israel, Israeli, Ministry of Defense, Congress, Eurasia Group, Independent, CNBC Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Palestinian, Israeli, Khan, I'm, al, Hamas, Iran, U.S, United States

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

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

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

☆ Some House Republicans need this reminder that Russia is not their friend
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There is a major disconnect between two CNN stories on Wednesday about Russia and the US. While it is mostly Republicans who oppose additional funding for Ukraine, they are still a minority, even within their own party. In February, 22 Republicans in the Senate joined all but three Democrats to form a 70-vote majority in favor of the funding. Asked about that propaganda comment by Tapper earlier this month, Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, agreed. The two appeared together at Mar-a-Lago last week, and Johnson has bought into Trump’s proposal to structure some Ukraine aid as a loan rather than direct aid.

Persons: Sean Lyngaas, ”, Mike Johnson, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “ We’re, Matt Gaetz, Chip Roy didn’t, he’s, it’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Defense Lloyd Austin, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin, Ralph Norman, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, Tom Williams, It’s, Liz Cheney, Donald Trump, Michael McCaul, Puck, Tapper, Mike Turner of Ohio, ” Turner, Greene, Ken Buck, Moscow Marjorie ”, Putin, Trump Organizations: CNN, Capitol Hill, GOP, White, Conservative, Ukraine, Republicans, Senate, Florida, ” Texas, Defense, Republican, Fox News, Putin, Texas Republican, Foreign Affairs, House Intelligence, Trump, Mar, Lago Locations: Russia, Texas, Russian, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Wyoming, Colorado

☆ Live updates: Israel weighs response to Iran attack, delays Gaza city offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani at the Pentagon on Monday. Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant discussed the aftermath of Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, the readout said. The secretary also reiterated “steadfast” US support for Israel’s defense. Austin previously asked Gallant to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, according to a US official. The two had spoken hours after Iran had launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Mohammed Shia, Chris Kleponis, Defense Lloyd Austin, “, Yoav Gallant, Austin, Gallant Organizations: US, Iraqi, Pentagon, Getty, Defense, Austin Locations: AFP, Israel, Iran

☆ Israeli defense minister says a direct Iranian attack would require appropriate response
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant speaks during a joint press conference with U.S. secretary of defence, in Tel Aviv. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran. "A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," Gallant told U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to remarks issued by his office. "Echoing President Biden's unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full U.S. support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened," the Pentagon said.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Netanyahu, Austin, Israel, Michael, Erik, Kurilla Organizations: Israel's, U.S, Tel Aviv . Israeli, Israeli, Defense, Pentagon, Army Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Iran, United States, Tehran, East

☆ Biden administration officials believe Netanyahu’s claim a Rafah invasion date has been set is bluster
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Biden administration is dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pronouncement that a date has been set for a ground offensive into Rafah as bluster that is in no small part fueled by the Israeli prime minister’s tenuous political standing at home, senior administration officials told CNN. Privately, multiple senior administration officials chalked up Netanyahu’s pronouncement – which was followed Tuesday by a declaration that that“no force in the world” will stop Israeli troops from entering Rafah – to bravado. Israeli officials argue that four Hamas battalions remain in Rafah that must be taken out. Israeli officials did not provide comprehensive answers to the questions in the meeting, the sources said. Hamas would rebuild from the remaining battalions there, the officials told their US counterparts.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu’s, Israel, chalked, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, ”, Joe Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Defense Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, –, ” Biden, Ron Dermer, Tzachi Hanegbi, Blinken, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Biden, Defense, “, Israel Defense Forces, US Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, Washington

☆ Israel has ‘no choice’ but Rafah offensive, Netanyahu tells US members of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Benjamin Brown | Eugenia Yosef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Israel has faced criticism internationally ahead of its planned offensive on the southern Gaza city, in which more than one million people are currently sheltering. Netanyahu had earlier told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could “just move” out of Rafah and “move with their tents.”“There’s all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah,” Netanyahu said. “People move down, they can move up,” the prime minister added. Disagreements over the impending invasion of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza have driven relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden to a low. The White House said Wednesday that Netanyahu had agreed to reschedule the planned visit by the Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss the possible Rafah operation.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ We’ve, We’ll, ” Netanyahu, Israel “, Said Khatib, Israel, Biden, Joe Biden, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Gallant Organizations: Israel CNN, Israeli, ’, Wednesday, ”, Minister’s, Israel, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Getty, UN Security, Security, CNN, Defense, National Locations: Haifa, Israel, Gaza, It’s, Jerusalem, Rafah, AFP, Washington

☆ The once-forgotten flying wing has taken over the US's bomber fleet
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ben Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Originally designed before America's entry into the Second World War, the YB-49 flying wing was intended to be America's first intercontinental bomber. US Air ForceThe flying wingThe YB-49 was the final iteration of a flying wing bomber concept created by legendary aircraft designer Jack Northrop, founder of the Northrop Corporation. A larger test aircraft, the N-1M, was tested in July of 1940, proving the potential of the flying wing design. The problems with aerial instability could now be solved by computers utilizing fly-by-wire technology and differential thrust, and so a flying wing design was submitted. In order to maintain a powerful bomber force and to keep up with technological innovation, the Air Force launched the Long Range Strike Bomber program in 2011.

Persons: —, Northrop Grumman, Jack Northrop, Northrop, Dunne, elevons —, William Lewis, Defense Lloyd Austin Organizations: Service, US Air, US Air Force, Northrop Corporation, United States Army Air Forces, US Army Air Forces, Britain, USAAF, Air Force, Flag, Nellis, Nellis Air Force Base, Raider, Technology Bomber, Northrop, ATB, Defense Locations: Nazi, Europe, British, Jan, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya

☆ Republicans slam Defense Secretary Austin's 'unacceptable' handling of hospitalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a House Armed Services Committee hearing about his failure to disclose his cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalizations, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 29, 2024. Republicans grilled U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a hearing Thursday about the handling of his January hospitalization following his cancer diagnosis. Thursday's hearing centered around why the Deputy Defense Secretary and the White House were not immediately informed that Austin was hospitalized after complications arose from surgery to treat his prostate cancer. ... As you know, I've apologized, including directly to the president, and I take full responsibility," Austin said at Thursday's hearing. The Defense Department's inspector general is also conducting a review of the incident.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Defense Lloyd Austin, Mike Rogers, Austin, Michael Waltz, she's, you've, I've, Joe Biden, Jim Banks, Adam Smith Organizations: Defense, Armed, Capitol, Pentagon, House Armed Service Committee, Deputy Defense, White, Republicans, Armed Services Committee Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Ukraine

The palace's disclosure that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer shattered that longstanding tradition. “The King has cancer,” the Times of London declared in a terse banner headline Tuesday. But in beaming a sliver of light from inside the palace walls and his own life, Charles has broken with his mother and royal tradition. HOW MUCH DOES THE BRITISH PUBLIC HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW? Charles' news was received with great sympathy in a country in which 3 million people live with cancer, according to Macmillan Cancer Support, a London-based charity.

Persons: King Charles III, Charles, “, Queen Elizabeth II, ”, wasn’t, Charles ’, King George VI, he's, Sally Bedell Smith, “ Charles, Simon Lewis, King, Julie Sharp, Charles “, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Konstantin Chernenko, It’s, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, they’re, Defense Lloyd Austin —, —, William, Kate, Wales, Danica Kirka, Laurie Kellman Organizations: —, BBC Radio, Cancer Research, Soviet, Defense, Defense Department, Black, Royals, Republican, National Center for Social Research, Macmillan Cancer, National Health Service, Associated Locations: London, Soviet Union, United States, Wales, British

☆ US forces hammered dozens of IRGC and Iran-backed militia targets with 125 bombs in retaliation for the drone attack that killed American troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The military action comes days after a drone attack killed US troops in Jordan. AdvertisementThe US military on Friday began strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, a US defense official told Business Insider. AdvertisementThe White House immediately blamed Iran-backed militias for the deadly incident and vowed revenge. The recent drone attack could have been an attempt to undermine the US hold in eastern Syria and to open arms smuggling routes through Jordan to the West Bank. AdvertisementSome US lawmakers have called for the Biden administration to take aggressive military action in retaliation for the Jan. 28 drone attack, including conducting strikes inside Iran itself.

Persons: —, CENTCOM, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, Washington, John Kirby, they're, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, US Central Command, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Quds Force, US, Coalition, Pentagon, Defense, National Security, Institute for, West Bank Locations: Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, United States, Tehran, East, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Hamas

☆ Analysis: What to make of the US retaliation strikes against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It was meant to sound devastating, and likely felt so to the pro-Iranian militias on the receiving end. The Biden administration faced a near-impossible task: Hit hard enough to show you mean it, but also ensure your opponent can absorb the blow without lashing out in return. Mistakes, or unanticipated successes, can lead to spirals, and that can lead to unavoidable, wider conflict. The Biden administration has elections looming, in which it does not need another costly foreign adventure, trouble over its Israel policy, or rising oil prices. There will likely follow criticism of the Biden administration for not using the same blunt and forceful approach of Trump in 2020.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, Donald Trump, Qasem Soleimani, prima, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, Joshua Roberts, Soleimani Organizations: CNN, US Central Command, US, Defense, Force, Hamas, Dover Air Force Base, UN, International Atomic Energy Agency, Trump Locations: Iraq, Syria, Israel, Gaza, Iran, United States, Moscow, Dover , Delaware, Tehran, Washington

☆ Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologizes for his handling of cancer diagnosis and hospitalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2024. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin publicly apologized Thursday for not telling President Joe Biden and the public about his prostate cancer diagnosis and his subsequent hospitalization. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. The Pentagon took three days to inform the White House that Austin had been hospitalized after complications arose from surgery to treat his prostate cancer. Austin said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks assumed his duties on Jan. 2, after he was transferred to the critical care unit for several days.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Defense Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, Austin, I've, Biden, Kathleen H, Hicks Organizations: US, Pentagon, Defense, American, Walter Reed Military Medical Center, Defense Department Locations: Washington ,

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