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☆ Trump seizes on US troops killed and border crisis to sell general election message
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Donald Trump’s core general election argument is that President Joe Biden is weak and incapable as events spin out of control at home and abroad. Instead, we are on the brink of World War 3,” Trump said in a statement. So Trump’s picture of a world in disarray as Biden stands by helplessly may have some political potency. It remains to be seen whether voters will buy into the image Biden and his team are trying to paint of Trump. But his reemergence as the GOP’s likely nominee is also highlighting the extraordinary liabilities that he would carry into a general election.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, ”, Trump, Biden, ” Trump, Joe Biden’s, Nikki Haley, Haley, Joe Biden weren’t, ” Haley, Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham of, Trump’s, – Trump, It’s, …, Mike Johnson, I’d, “, Democratic Sen, Christopher Murphy of, CNN’s Dana, Mitch McConnell, Johnson, it’s, Donald Trump, ” Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Shawn Fain, Jean Carroll, – Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump, New, Democratic, Baptist, United, Republican, Republican Party, Christopher Murphy of Connecticut, Union, United Auto Workers, UAW, Washington Locations: Nevada, United States, Jordan, New Hampshire, South Carolina, East, Iran, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Louisiana, “ State, Ukraine, France, Trump

☆ Widening Mideast Crisis U.S. Blames Iran-Backed Militia for Deaths of 3 Soldiers in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

The attack happened at a remote logistics outpost in northeast Jordan called Tower 22 where the borders of Syria, Iraq and Jordan converge. The Pentagon declined to identify the service members who died or their units pending notification of family members. Central Command said it expected the number of injured to “fluctuate” as additional service members sought treatment. It was the latest in at least 164 strikes by Iran-backed militias against U.S. troops in Syria, Iraq and Jordan since the Oct. 7 attacks. It turned out to be a dud, but several service members would most likely have been injured or killed had it exploded, a senior military official said.

Persons: Biden, —, Mr, “, ”, Lloyd J, Austin III, ” Mr, Austin, Yemen —, Gen, Charles Q, Brown Jr, General Brown, Al, Charles Lister, Jordan, Al Tanf, Syria’s, Roger Wicker of Organizations: U.S, Hamas, ”, Pentagon, Command, Central Command, Resistance, Hezbollah, Joint Chiefs of Staff, ABC, Navy, Sunday, Army, Air Force, United, Operations, Middle East Institute, American, Troops, The Defense Department, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base, Congressional Republicans, Republican, Armed Services Committee Locations: Jordan, Iran, Syria, Iraq, U.S, Israel, Columbia, United States, Lebanese, Yemen, Aden, Gaza, Erbil, Red, Al Tanf, Islamic State, Azraq, Washington, Jordanian, Baghdad, Damascus, Tehran, Lebanon, Al, Al Asad Air, Roger Wicker of Mississippi

☆ Mix-Up Preceded Deadly Drone Strike in Jordan, U.S. Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Isabel Kershner | Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Air defenses failed to stop a deadly attack on a U.S. military outpost in Jordan on Sunday because the hostile drone homed in on its target at the same time an American drone was returning to the base, two U.S. officials said Monday. The attack on Sunday killed three U.S. service members, the first known American military fatalities from hostile fire in the turmoil spilling over from Israel’s war with Hamas. At least 34 others were injured in the strike, which Biden administration officials say used a drone launched by an Iran-backed militia in Iraq. The one-way attack drone hit near the outpost’s living quarters, causing injuries that ranged from minor cuts to brain trauma, a U.S. military official said. It serves as a logistics and resupply hub for the Al Tanf garrison nearby in southeastern Syria, where American troops work with local Syrian partners to fight remnants of the Islamic State.

Persons: Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, ” Mr, Austin, Jens Stoltenberg, “, Al Organizations: Sunday, Street, Hamas, Senior U.S, ., Defense, Pentagon, U.S, Army, Air Force Locations: Jordan, American, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Germany, Al Tanf, Islamic State

CNN —The three US soldiers killed in the drone attack on a US military outpost in Jordan were identified Monday as Sgt. US Army Reserve Command, APSingh said more than 40 were injured in the attack, a number that could possibly continue to increase. The enemy drone also flew low, which may have allowed it to evade the base’s air defenses, officials said. A US official told CNN that there have been six attacks since Friday, including Sunday’s drone attack and a multi-rocket attack on Patrol Base Shaddadi in Syria on Monday morning. The consensus is that an Iran-backed militia group is behind the deadly drone attack, though the US is still working to determine which group specifically is responsible.

Persons: William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, Sabrina Singh, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, AP Singh, Singh, Syria —, John Kirby, CNN’s Phil Mattingly, White, “, ” Kirby, weren’t, ” Singh, ”, Jens Stoltenberg, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin Organizations: CNN, Defense Department, 718th Engineer Company, US Army Reserve, Pentagon, US Army Reserve Command, Spc, Breonna, AP, Baghdad Diplomatic Support, Regional Medical Center, US, Patrol Base Shaddadi, National Security, Kataib Hezbollah, Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah, NATO Locations: Jordan, Carrollton , Georgia, Waycross , Georgia, Savannah , Georgia, Fort Moore , Georgia, Baghdad, Landstuhl, American, East, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon

Republicans in Congress are ramping up pressure on the Biden administration to strike Iran in retaliation after three U.S. troops were killed and dozens were injured in a drone attack that officials have linked to Tehran on Sunday in Jordan. The eventual U.S. response to the attack has raised concerns about escalating conflict in the region, which is already growing as the Israel-Hamas war continues. But GOP lawmakers are sure to be critical of the president as a rematch of Biden and former President Donald Trump appears more likely in the 2024 election. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas originally posted “Target Tehran” before clarifying that he was not calling on the Biden administration to bomb Iranian civilians. White House spokesman Andrew Bates dismissed the calls as “attempts by far right congressional Republicans to politicize our national security.”

Persons: Biden, Lloyd Austin, Jens Stoltenberg, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Steve Scalise, ”, ” Sen, Lindsey Graham of, Tom Cotton, Cotton, Sen, John Cornyn of, Andrew Bates Organizations: Defense, Pentagon, NATO, Congress, Biden Administration, Target, Republicans Locations: Iran, Tehran, Jordan, Israel, U.S, America, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Arkansas, John Cornyn of Texas, Target Tehran

The enemy drone followed the American drone as it approached, but it is not clear whether the enemy drone intentionally followed the American one or if it was a coincidence, one of the officials said. US officials are also still assessing the enemy drone’s point of origin. The Wall Street Journal first reported the confusion over the enemy drone. A US official told CNN that there have been six attacks since Friday, including Sunday’s drone attack and a multi-rocket attack on Patrol Base Shaddadi in Syria on Monday morning. The consensus is that an Iran-backed militia group is behind the deadly drone attack, though the US is still working to determine which group specifically is responsible.

Persons: Syria —, John Kirby, CNN’s Phil Mattingly, White, “, ” Kirby, weren’t, ”, Jens Stoltenberg, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, ” Stoltenberg, Austin’s, Biden, Tehran . Sen, Roger Wicker, Sen, Tom Cotton Organizations: CNN, Army, Sunday, Street Journal, Regional Medical Center, Patrol Base Shaddadi, National Security, Kataib Hezbollah, Revolutionary Guard, Pentagon, NATO, Republicans, Republican, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Jordan, American, Germany, East, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Congress, Tehran .

☆ Defense Secretary Returns to Pentagon a Month After Surgery Complications
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Helene Cooper | More About Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He expressed “outrage and sorrow for the death of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan, and for the other troops who were wounded” and added that “we will take all necessary action to defend the U.S. and our troops.”Mr. Austin said he was “glad to be back at the Pentagon. I feel good and am recovering well, but still recovering.”The House Armed Services Committee has asked Mr. Austin to testify next month about why he and his aides kept his illness secret. Mr. Austin, 70, has long been known as an intensely private man who eschews the limelight and dislikes talking to the news media — qualities that Mr. Biden was fine with, his aides said, when he appointed the 40-year Army officer to be his defense secretary. But in keeping secret his hospitalization, Mr. Austin attracted more attention to himself than at any point in his long career. He also drew scrutiny and criticism of Mr. Biden’s national security team during a period when it was dealing with multiple crises around the world, including wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Persons: ”, Mr, Austin, Mike D, Rogers, ” Mr, Biden Organizations: U.S, Pentagon, House Armed, Republican, Army Locations: Jordan, Alabama, Gaza, Ukraine

☆ Drone that killed US troops in attack slipped past defenses because there was confusion on whether or not it was American: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A drone attack on a US military base in Jordan killed three troops and injured dozens more. AdvertisementThe drone that struck a US military base in Jordan and killed several American troops managed to slip past defenses because it was confused at the time with another unmanned aircraft, according to multiple reports. Three US service members were killed and at least 34 more were injured after a one-way attack drone hit Tower 22, a small logistics outpost in northeastern Jordan, early Sunday local time. As the enemy drone approached the base, an American drone was also returning to the site, leading to confusion over whether the attacking system was a friendly aircraft or not, according to Monday reports from CNN and The Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed US officials. There, American forces provide logistics support to the US-led coalition working to defeat the Islamic State.

Persons: —, Biden, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin Organizations: Pentagon, Service, CNN, Street, Command, Army, Air Force, Islamic, US, Defense, The Washington Institute for Near, Policy, American, Institute for Locations: Jordan, Iran, American, Jordan's, Iraq, Syria, Islamic State, Tehran, Washington, United States, Israel

☆ Pentagon says it is not seeking war with Iran after Jordan attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We certainly don't seek a war and frankly we don't see Iran wanting to seek a war with the United States," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters. She added that the Pentagon believed Iran did not want a war either. Two officials said a U.S. drone was approaching the base around the same time the attack drone was incoming. One of the officials said the attack drone was also flying low, factors that may have contributed to it being missed by base defenses. "Iran continues to destabilize the region, this includes backing terrorists who attack our ships in the Red Sea," Stoltenberg said.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Austin, Biden, Sabrina Singh, John Kirby, Breonna Alexsondria, Stoltenberg Organizations: NATO, U.S, State Department, U.S . Defense, Monday, Sunday, Pentagon, House, Army Reserve, Austin Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Jordan, Iran, Israel, United States, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Red

☆ Political Pressure Builds on Biden to Strike Iran After US Deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

That allowed Biden the political space to mete out U.S. retaliation, inflicting costs on Iran-backed forces without risking a direct war with Tehran. Republicans accused Biden of letting American forces become sitting ducks, waiting for the day when a drone or missile would evade base defenses. In response, they say Biden must strike Iran. "The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East." "Unless the U.S. prepared for an all out war, what does attacking Iran get us," the official said.

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, he's, Biden, Tom Cotton, Mike Rogers, they've, Rogers, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Barbara Lee, Seth Moulton, —, Moulton, Jonathan Lord, Lord, Charles Lister, Lister, Israel, Qassem Soleimani, Simon Lewis, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: Republican U.S, Republican, U.S, Representatives, Tehran, Biden, Democratic, Iranian, Center, New, East Institute, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Israel, Jordan's, Tehran, United States, Gaza, New American, Washington, U.S, Damascus, Jan

The political branch of the powerful Koch network is facing scrutiny as operatives chafe against a decision to endorse Nikki Haley for president that many see as out of step with their values. A day later, Maidment was "terminated" from the organization, he said, and he told NBC News that he is not the only one within the Koch-backed group who is disappointed in the Haley endorsement. As the group started to see public criticism from those with ties to AFP, Seidel sent some AFP leaders an email about the overall response. "Some of you may have seen some recent public posts from some colleagues who disagree with AFP Action's endorsement," Seidel wrote in the email. If Trump feels Koch moved the needle for Haley, he'll have more interest in working with them.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Koch, —, Chris Maidment, Haley, Maidment, Mark Lucas, Donald Trump, Trump, Lucas, Ron DeSantis, Emily Seidel, Seidel, Mark Holden, Marc Short, Mike Pence, he'll, I'm, Jamie Dimon Organizations: U.S, United, Prosperity's, PAC, GOP, Prosperity, NBC News, Koch, AFP, Trump, White, NBC Locations: Hooksett , New Hampshire, U.S, New Hampshire, Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Florida, AFP

☆ Jake Tapper reveals challenges of covering war, why he feels news outlets ‘censor too much’ and what has left him ‘shocked’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Each and every day, journalists covering the Middle East conflict are faced with thorny challenges, many of which they must grapple with in real-time. We spoke with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday for a wide-ranging interview about reporting on the war. I generally feel that we in the news media writ large, all over the world, censor too much. It’s nothing compared to what the people in Israel and Gaza and the West Bank are currently going through. More than 50 journalists have now died in the region since the onset of the war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Persons: It’s, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Eisenhower, ”, I’ve, Biden, George Clooney, Wynonna Judd, Don Cheadle, Mindy Kaling, —, Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Journalists, United, West Bank, Protect Journalists, Our Troops, Homes, Bel Air Locations: Israel, Gaza, There’s, United States, U.S, United Nations, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine

☆ An aggrieved McCarthy weighs leaving the House with his GOP foes on his mind
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Manu Raju | Sam Fossum | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

McCarthy continually accused Gaetz of only going after him because of a House Ethics Committee probe he’s facing, a charge the GOP hardliner has repeatedly denied. “If the Ethics Committee never does anything to Gaetz, then Gaetz was successful in stopping probably what rightfully should come to him,” McCarthy said. Asked if he were concerned about Johnson’s approach to Gaetz, McCarthy said: “That’s a question for Speaker Johnson. It’s not good for the House,’” McCarthy said of Pelosi. Asked if he had thought he would make it two years as speaker, McCarthy said: “I never knew.”McCarthy credited Trump for his winning the gavel.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, GOP hardliner, “, ” McCarthy, Mike Johnson’s, –, Johnson doesn’t, Johnson, ”, ” Gaetz, Harry Truman, he’d, Franklin Roosevelt’s, “ I’m, hasn’t, Hakeem Jeffries, —, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, ‘, We’d, It’s, ’ ” McCarthy, ” Aaron Bennett, ” Bennett, Pelsoi, Trump, ” Haley Talbot, Shania Shelton Organizations: CNN, Former, Republicans, California Republican, GOP, Republican, Congressional, Fund, American Action, Louisiana Republican, New York Democrat, Capitol, Trump, Florida Republican Locations: California, Florida, Washington, Louisiana

☆ Philippines to continue South China Sea supply missions despite Chinese boats
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Philippine supply boat sails near a Chinese Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Nov 11 (Reuters) - The Philippines' coast guard said on Saturday it would maintain its regular supply missions to troops stationed on a disputed atoll in the South China Sea even though it expects more Chinese vessels to be sent to the area. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal, and has deployed hundreds of vessels to patrol there. "We are still going to carry out these dangerous missions despite our limited number of vessels and despite the increasing number of Chinese vessels they are going to deploy," Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela told a press conference. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has pursued warmer ties with Washington, reversing the pro-China stance of his predecessor and leading to a rise in tension in the South China Sea.

Persons: Adrian Portugal, Thomas Shoal, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Ferdinand Marcos, Neil Jerome Morales, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, South China, Philippine, China's, U.S . State Department, People's, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South China, Rights MANILA, Philippines, South, China, Manila, People's Republic of China, Washington

☆ US strike on weapons facility in Syria a 'deterrent', White House says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The United States carried out strikes on Wednesday against a weapon storage facility in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said was used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups. President Joe Biden said the United States had to respond after U.S. troops were targeted and that the retaliatory strikes were working. White House spokesman John Kirby separately told CNN that the U.S. strikes "had a practical impact on their ability to arm these groups, but also to send a strong signal of deterrence." The United States has occasionally carried out retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed forces in the region after they attack American forces, including one on Oct. 26. "He stands on a real, real, real fine little pin there when he talks about coordination and not directing," Kirby responded.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, John Kirby, they're, Kirby, Amir Saeid Iravani, Iravani, Doina Chiacu, Steve Holland, Susan Heavey, Toby Chopra, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S, United, Pentagon, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, CNN, United Nations, House, Thomson Locations: Syria, Israel, United States, U.S, Iraq, Iran, Gaza

An armored vehicle escorting a MINUSMA logistic convoy from Gao to Kidal, is parked as trucks pass by, Mali February 16, 2017. Shortly after the last U.N. convoy rolled out, the ethnic Tuareg rebels announced they had taken over the base. The Tuareg rebels signed a 2015 peace agreement brokered by MINUSMA but maintained control of much of the north from Kidal. The first sign of trouble came in early August, when fighting broke out between Mali's army and Tuareg rebels around the U.N.'s camp in Ber in the north. As in Kidal, peacekeepers destroyed equipment before leaving that could have been transported in trucks earlier, if the government had allowed.

Persons: MINUSMA, Sylvain Liechti, jeopardising U.N, couldn't, Fatoumata Sinkoun Kaba, Yvan Guichaoua, Edward McAllister, David Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Mahamat, Alexandra Zavis, Daniel Flynn Organizations: UN, DAKAR, United Nations, U.N, Reuters, Authorities, Security, Islamic State, Department of Peace Operations, Department of Operational, Wagner Group, MINUSMA, University of Kent's Brussels School of International Studies, Thomson Locations: Gao, Mali, Kidal, West Africa, Malian, al Qaeda, Algeria, Mauritania, Ber, Tessalit, Algerian, Bamako, Dakar, Nairobi, New York, N'Djamena

☆ Hezbollah says it downs Israeli drone in south Lebanon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIRUT, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah said on Sunday it shot down an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon with a surface-to-air missile, the first time it has announced such an incident, as clashes on the Lebanese border escalate. The drone was hit near Khiam, about 5 km (3 miles) from the border with Israel, and was seen falling in Israeli territory, Hezbollah added. Two security sources in Lebanon said it was the first time Hezbollah had announced downing an Israeli drone. The Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon have been exchanging fire on a daily basis since the start of the Gaza conflict three weeks ago. "UNIFIL expresses serious concern over these two attacks on our troops who are tirelessly working 24/7 to restore stability in southern Lebanon and de-escalate this perilous situation, " the force wrote on social media platform X.

Persons: Mohanad Hage Ali, Laila Bassam, Tom Perry, Nayera Abdallah, Younes el, Riham Alkousaa, Alexander Smith, Hugh Lawson, Giles Elgood Organizations: Carnegie Middle East Center, Israeli Defence Ministry, United Nations, UNIFIL, Lebanese, Younes el Audi, Thomson Locations: BEIRUT, Lebanon, Lebanese, Khiam, Israel, Houla, Gaza, Naqoura

☆ Why Hasn’t Israel Invaded Gaza?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

While Israel has performed raids in Gaza, the larger ground invasion hasn’t happened, and the delay could expose further challenges for Israel’s operations. Additionally, the Biden administration has raised concerns that Israel lacks achievable military goals in Gaza, and the delay could help the country refine its objectives. So far, outside interests have remained mostly on the sidelines of the conflict, but a ground invasion could change that. There has also been some speculation that the ground invasion could be more limited in scope than what has been imagined so far. But waiting any longer for a ground invasion could create a dilemma for Israel: waning international support.

Persons: It’s, ” Natan Sachs, Benjamin Netanyahu, John Kirby, Israel, We’re, we’re, ” Kirby, Joe Biden, “, ”, Biden, doesn't, Ian Hurd, it's, ” Biden, ” Dan Byman, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Jonathan Conricus, Byman, Kirby, We’ve Organizations: Hamas, Brookings Institution, Pentagon, United, United Arab Emirates, White, National Security, Israeli Defense Forces, Northwestern University, Street, Iran’s Quds Force, Quds Force, Center for Strategic, International Studies, ” Iran's, United Nations, General, Israel Defense Forces, ABC Radio Melbourne, Israel, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service Locations: Gaza, U.S, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Iran, The U.S, Tehran, Iran’s Quds, Beirut, Palestine, United States

☆ 900 US troops have deployed or are deploying to Middle East amid heightened tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Roughly 900 US troops have been deployed or are deploying to the Middle East amid heightened tensions in the region after a series of attacks on coalition bases that resulted in minor injuries for almost two dozen troops. “These include forces that have been on prepare to deploy orders, and which are deploying from the continental United States,” Pentagon spokesman Brig. Of those, 19 — 15 at Al Assad Air Base in Syria, and four at Al-Tanf Garrison in Iraq — have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), Ryder said. That is in addition to US troops already in Iraq and Syria – roughly 2,500 and 900, respectively – and Navy assets that were announced to be heading to the region. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has been directed to the Middle East, and the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Persons: Pat Ryder, Fort Bliss Texas, Fort, ” Ryder, Ryder, “, Tanf Garrison, Iraq —, ”, Sabrina Singh, Dwight D, Gerald R Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, “, Defense, Patriot, Hamas, Israel, Al Assad Air Base, Al, Erbil Airbase, Eisenhower Carrier Strike, Ford Carrier Strike Locations: United States, Fort Bliss, Fort Sill , Oklahoma, Fort Liberty , North Carolina, Cavazos , Texas, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Erbil

The U.S. strikes reflect the Biden administration's determination to maintain a delicate balance. According to the Pentagon, there have been at least 12 attacks on U.S. bases and personnel in Iraq and four in Syria since Oct. 17. According to the Pentagon, all the U.S. personnel hurt in the militant attacks received minor injuries and all returned to duty. Such retaliation and strikes against Iranian targets in Syria after similar attacks on U.S. bases are routine. In March, for example, the U.S. struck sites in Syria used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after an Iranian-linked attack killed a U.S. contractor and wounded seven other Americans in northeast Syria.

Persons: Pat Ryder, Asad, Tanf Garrison, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, Austin, won’t, Ryder, ”, Israel Organizations: WASHINGTON, Revolutionary Guard Corps, Pentagon, U.S, Hamas, Air Force, Hamasa, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Udeid, Base, Islamic, Patriot, Area Defense, Fort Liberty, Patriots Locations: Syria, U.S, Iraq, Asad Airbase, Iranian, United States, Gaza, Israel, Ahli, Tel Aviv, America, American, Qatar, Deir el, ., Fort Bliss , Texas, Fort, North Carolina, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, East

☆ Intelligence shows Iranian-backed militias are ready to ramp up their attacks against US forces in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Katie Bo Lillis Zachary Cohen Jennifer Hansler | Natasha Bertrand | Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The US has intelligence that Iranian-backed militia groups are planning to ramp up attacks against US forces in the Middle East, as Iran seeks to capitalize on the backlash in the region to US support for Israel, according to multiple US officials. The militia groups have already launched multiple drone attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria. But the US now has specific intelligence that those same groups could escalate even further as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. Officials said that at this point, Iran appears to be encouraging the groups rather than explicitly directing them. In the case of the recent drone attacks on bases housing US forces, “Iran is certainly more culpable than in the case of the Hamas attack in Israel,” said another person familiar with the intelligence.

Persons: John Kirby, ”, Kirby, “, Matthew Miller, they’re, ” “ It’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, Naledi, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, ” Abdollahian, ” Austin Organizations: CNN, Israel, Officials, National Security, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force, State, State Department, ISIS, Defense, Pentagon, US Navy, Iran’s Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Tehran, Qatar, Iranian, Yemen, East

Biden administration officials insisted that the United States had not told Israel what to do and still supported the ground invasion. General Glynn, the official said, would not be on the ground in Israel if an incursion into Gaza begins. But on Sunday, a diplomat from the Israeli Embassy denied that the U.S. government was advising the Israelis to delay the ground invasion. In conversations with Israeli officials since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, American officials said they have not yet seen an achievable plan of action. Like U.S. officials, Mr. Reed said he also still supports the ground invasion to destroy Hamas.

Persons: Biden, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd J, Austin III, James Glynn, General Glynn, Axios, Gallant, Austin, “, Mr, ” Mr, Patrick S, Ryder, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, we’ve, Michael Knights, Knights, Jack Reed, Reed, ”, Michael Crowley Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Biden, Pentagon, Israel, Embassy, Islamic, United States Central Command, ABC, American Marines, Associated Press, Islamic State, State, The Washington Institute, Hamas, Rhode Island Democrat, Armed Services Committee Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Washington, U.S, Mosul, Iraqi, Tel Aviv, Kurdish, Mosul —, British, Falluja, Iraq, Raqqa, Cairo, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, “, State

☆ A ground offensive by Israel into Gaza now seems inevitable. The big question is what comes next
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Israeli soldiers listen to Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as he meets them in a field near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel October 19, 2023. Do you replace it with the Palestinian Authority, which has extremely low levels of popularity in the Gaza Strip?" Thomas Coex | Afp | Getty ImagesMeanwhile, the Palestinian Authority is likely to be reluctant to look like they are collaborating with Israel, Ramani said. The Gaza Strip is a narrow portion of land sandwiched between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. Smoke billows after an Israeli strike on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on October 22, 2023 amid the ongoing battles between Israel and Palestinian groups.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Ronen Zvulun, Samuel Ramani, Ramani, CNBC's, Ismail Haniyeh, Mahmoud Abbas, Abbas, Thomas Coex, Jonathan Conricus, Yossi Mekelberg, Mekelberg, Israel, Said Khatib Organizations: Israel's, Reuters, Hamas, Royal United Services Institute, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian, Afp, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, ABC Radio Melbourne, United Nations, Chatham House Locations: Israel's, Gaza, Israel, Reuters Israel, Sderot, Egypt, Rafah

☆ Israel-Hamas war live updates: IDF spokesperson says full Hamas surrender could end war; WHO says more medical supplies reached Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache Matt Clinch | Ruxandra Iordache | Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The first convoy of relief trucks begins to enter the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, in Rafah, Gaza, on Oct. 21, 2023. A full surrender of the Palestinian group Hamas and the return of Israeli hostages could end Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Jonathan Conricus told ABC Radio Melbourne. Meanwhile, additional medical supplies from the World Health Organization have entered the Gaza Strip, the organization's director-general said early Monday. On Saturday, the first 20-truck convoy carrying food, water and medicine entered the besieged Palestinian enclave for the first time since the start of the war. Cindy McCain, the director of the United Nations World Food Programme, said 40 more are expected today.

Persons: Jonathan Conricus, Cindy McCain Organizations: Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, ABC Radio Melbourne, World Health Organization, United Nations, Food Locations: Gaza, Rafah

"We don't want to see our forces or our personnel come under fire. But Cindy McCain, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, said the situation in Gaza remained “catastrophic." We need secure and sustainable access in there, in that region, so we can feed people.”Four hundred aid trucks were entering Gaza daily before the latest war, she said. Biden also discussed the situation during separate conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pope Francis. In an updated message to Americans in Iraq, the department said the security situation in Iraq made it impossible to carry out normal operations.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Biden, ” Blinken, ” Austin, Blinken, ”, Joe Biden, Cindy McCain, Benjamin Netanyahu, Pope Francis . Biden, Netanyahu, Israel, McCain Organizations: —, Sunday, West Bank, U.S, Press, Food, White, The State Department, Embassy Locations: REHOBOTH BEACH, Del, United, Israel, Iran, U.S, Gaza, Syria, East, Iraq, Egypt, Delaware, Irbil, Austin

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