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☆ Opinion: How long can America continue to be arsenal to the world?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux Palestinians walk amid the rubble following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 10. Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times/Redux Children run for cover as bombs fall near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 9. Erik Marmor/AP Six-month-old Sama Alwadia is rescued from the rubble in Gaza City on October 9. Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux Fire and smoke rise from Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 8. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8.

Persons: David A, CNN —, David Andelman, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukraine —, Eden Guez, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammed Salem, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Mohammed Abed, Atef Safadi, Fatima Shbair, Tamir Kalifa, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Yuri Cortez, Belal Khaled, Samar Abu, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Ali Jadallah, Oren Ziv, Mohammed Saber, Ronen Zvulun, Majdi, Ilia Yefimovich, Ramez Mahmoud, Mahmud Hams, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Khan, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Jalaa Marey, Oded, Khan Younis, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ahmad Gharabli, Baz Ratner, Mustafa Hassona, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, ” Ely Ratner, ” Ratner, Ratner, “, Julianne Smith, Will, Will Israel Organizations: CNN, French Legion of, The New York Times, CBS News, David Andelman CNN, America, Ukraine, Defense, Fighters, Nova Festival, Reuters, Israel Defense Forces, New York Times, Getty, Ben Gurion, AP, Mount, Anadolu Agency, Shifa, West Bank, Rockets, Israel's, United Nations, Palestinian, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, [ Peoples Liberation Army, House Armed, Committee, Taiwan Relations, Senate, Washington Post, Israel, Capitol, House, Ukraine –, NATO, Taiwan Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Iran, China, Taiwan, Washington, Ashkelon, Gaza City, Kfar Azza, Kfar Aza, AFP, Tel Aviv, Mount Herzel, Jerusalem, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Yassin, Palestinian, Beitar Ilit, Mount Herzl, Sderot, Ramat Gan, Khan Younis, Israeli, Kiryat Shmona, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Will Ukraine, Crimea, America

Leaders dropped $6 billion in Ukraine aid from the temporary funding measure passed Saturday as they focused on passing it quickly, just hours before the government would have shut down. Supporters of Ukraine aid — including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who visited the Capitol to plead for the money in person just two weeks ago — say it’s essential that additional funding is included. He said he would address Ukraine aid soon. But any dealmaking is on hold as House Republicans try to find a new leader. Jordan has made clear his opposition to additional Ukraine aid and reiterated it Wednesday.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, ”, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, ” Sen, Joe Manchin, Republicans “, Manchin, Biden, Lindsey Graham, Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise, Kevin Hern, Jordan, ” Jordan, Hern, Scalise, Kelly Armstrong, ” Armstrong, Adam Smith, Michael McCaul, McCaul, “ It’s, ” McCaul, Stephen Groves, Josh Boak, videojournalists Dan Huff, Nathan Ellgren Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Russia, Capitol, House Democrats, Ukraine, Senate, Democrats, Democratic, ”, Oklahoma Rep, Republican, House Armed Services Committee, Foreign, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, “, Connecticut, United States, Russia, U.S, Ohio, Jordan, Washington, Texas

Still, many lawmakers acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war between Russia and Ukraine grinds on. Then, on Saturday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy omitted additional Ukraine aid from a measure to keep the government running until Nov. 17. In the Senate, both Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to move quickly to try and pass the full White House request. “Majorities in both parties support Ukraine aid, and doing more is vital for America’s security and for democracy around the world.”Leading up to Saturday's vote, Pentagon officials expressed alarm at the prospect of no extra funding for Ukraine. “Every day that goes by that we don’t get the additional money is a day Russia gets closer to being capable of winning this war,” Murphy said.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Kevin McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chuck Schumer, “, ” Schumer, McCarthy, ” McCarthy, Schumer, Mitch McConnell, House . Florida Sen, Rick Scott, ”, Scott, Michael McCord, ” McCord, Mike Rogers, that's, you've, ” Rogers, Gregory Meeks, Zelenskyy, ” Meeks, Donald Trump, Biden, Sen, Chris Murphy, Conn, ” Murphy, Jim Risch of, ” Risch, Stephen Groves, Mary Clare Jalonick Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Senate, White, Russia, Republican, Capitol, Ukrainian, ”, House ., Pentagon, Ukraine, House Armed Services Committee, Rep, House Foreign Affairs, FBI, IRS, Justice Department “, Biden, Senate Foreign Relations, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Russia, United States, House, House . Florida, U.S, Jim Risch of Idaho

☆ Biden says there's 'not much time' to keep aid flowing to Ukraine and Congress must 'stop the games'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Biden urged Congress to negotiate an aid package as soon as possible. "The vast majority of both parties — Democrats and Republicans, Senate and House — support helping Ukraine and the brutal aggression that is being thrust upon them by Russia," Biden said. The money later was approved separately, but opponents of Ukraine support celebrated their growing numbers. Then, on Saturday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., omitted additional Ukraine aid from a measure to keep the government running until Nov. 17. Biden said that deal was made to keep the government running and he worked to reassure U.S. allies additional funding would be there.

Persons: Joe Biden, John McCain, Biden, Roosevelt, Kevin McCarthy, Josep Borrell, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, House . Florida Sen, Rick Scott, Scott, Mike Rogers, that's, you've, Rogers, Gregory Meeks, Zelenskyy, Meeks, Donald Trump Organizations: Tempe Center, Arts, Sunday, Ukraine, Russia, — Democrats, Republicans, Senate, House, White, Democrat, Republican, Union, Capitol, Ukrainian, House ., Alabama, House Armed Services Committee, Pentagon, Rep, House Foreign Affairs, FBI, IRS, Justice Department, Biden Locations: Tempe , Arizona, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, U.S, United States, Kentucky, House, House . Florida

☆ Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail, Pentagon official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail and a direct military invasion of the self-ruled island would be extremely difficult for Beijing to carry out successfully, senior Pentagon officials told Congress on Tuesday. China's military in recent years has stepped up activity around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory. However, whether Xi would order taking Taiwan by force, either through military options like a blockade or an invasion is unclear. "I think it is an option but probably not a highly likely option, when you start looking at the military options - much easier to talk about a blockade than actually do a blockade," McGee told lawmakers. He added flatly: "There is absolutely nothing easy about a PLA invasion of Taiwan."

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Burns, Xi Jinping, Xi, Ely Ratner, Ratner, General Joseph McGee, McGee, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pentagon, CIA, Affairs, House Armed Services, People's Republic of China . Army, Pentagon's Joint Staff, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, People's Republic of China, China

☆ Sen. Tommy Tuberville argues the Navy is 'too woke' because 'people are doing poems on aircraft carriers'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sen. Tommy Tuberville says the US Navy is too woke, citing a poetry night on an aircraft carrier. "It is absolutely insane the direction we're headed in our military," Tuberville told Fox News. "Secretary [Carlos] Del Toro of Navy, he needs to get to building ships, get to recruiting, and he needs to get wokeness out of our Navy," Tuberville said Wednesday evening on Fox News. AdvertisementAdvertisementSecretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Sen. Jack Reed at an industry conference in Newport, Rhode Island on August 28, 2023. AdvertisementAdvertisement"The service chief of any service has two full-time jobs already.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, Carlos, Del Toro, We've, he's, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Jack Reed, Theodore C, Lee Tuberville, Gerald R, Ford, Mike Gilday, Gilday, Ted Lieu, George Patton, Richard, MCS3 Jeanette Mullinax, Chuck Schumer, Tuberville's, They've, Adam Smith of, Abraham Lincoln, Jeff Sherman Tuberville's, Lisa Franchetti, Joe Biden, Franchetti, Eric Smith, Smith, I've Organizations: US Navy, Fox News, Navy, Service, Alabama Republican, CNN, Army and Air Force, The Washington Post, Ford, Senate Armed Services Committee, House Armed Services Committee, Defense, Conference, Navy Reserve, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Marine, Chiefs Locations: Russian, Wall, Silicon, The, Newport , Rhode Island, Alabama, California, Flanders, Canadian, Adam Smith of Washington

☆ US House committee leader wants probe of space command HQ decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Committee chair U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, (R-AL) during a House Armed Services Committee meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 2, 2023. The White House has denied that partisan motivations were behind the decision. The U.S. military announced on July 31 that Biden, a Democrat, had selected Colorado Springs as the permanent location of the U.S. Space Command headquarters, saying it would ensure "peak readiness" of the command during a critical period. Space Command is responsible for American military operations in space. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Mark Porter and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mike Rogers, Tom Brenner, Gene Dodaro, Joe Biden, Lloyd Austin, Biden, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, Patricia Zengerle, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Rep, Armed Services, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House of, Armed, military's, Command, Republican, Office, Pentagon, Democrat, Colorado Springs, U.S . Space Command, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Colorado, Alabama, Colorado Springs, U.S

/U.S House of Representatives/Handout via REUTERS /File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Nebraska Republican Congressman Don Bacon said late on Monday the FBI had warned him that his emails were hacked by Chinese spies, with both personal and campaign messages compromised. Bacon was told that the Chinese Communist Party had access to his accounts for about a month ending on June 16, he said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. CNN previously reported that email accounts in the House of Representatives were targeted as part of the same campaign. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Reporting by Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter; Editing by Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Don Bacon of Nebraska, Don Bacon, Bacon, Gina Raimondo, China Nicholas Burns, Christopher Bing, Raphael Satter, Devika Organizations: Republican U.S . Rep, U.S . House, REUTERS, Nebraska Republican, FBI, Chinese Communist Party, Twitter, Microsoft, U.S, U.S . Commerce, CNN, Communist, Embassy, Air Force, House Armed Services Committee, Thomson Locations: Nebraska, China, Washington

☆ US Army no longer has Senate-confirmed leader, joining Marines
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Army Chief of Staff General James McConville testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. June 29, 2021. Retiring Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville relinquished command on Friday. It will be the first time in history the U.S. military will have two branches, the Army and the Marine Corps, without a confirmed leader, the Pentagon said. "In our dangerous world of security, the United States demands orderly and prompt transitions of our confirmed military leaders," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during the ceremony on Friday. Several states have limited abortion access since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the military argues that women service members cannot choose where they are stationed.

Persons: James McConville, Jonathan Ernst, Tommy Tuberville, Lloyd Austin, Randy George, Roe, Wade, Christine Wormuth, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Mark Porter, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Army, Armed, Committee, Capitol, REUTERS, U.S . Army, U.S, Republican, Staff, Marine Corps, Pentagon, . Defense, Supreme, Democratic, Navy, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Alabama, United States

☆ War with China would be an 'onslaught' like the US hasn't faced in decades
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Jake Epstein | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

War would also have severe consequences for China and US allies in the Western Pacific. Any war with China would be fought on multiple fronts — from the air and sea to the web and financial markets. The US maintained this capacity for decades, but America's manufacturing prowess has atrophied since the end of the Cold War. Control of the Pacific would be a crucial part of any war with China, and Beijing boasts the world's largest navy. Cash warsWhile a military conflict between the US and China is only a hypothetical, the two countries are already competing on the economic battlefield.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mark Milley, Dan Blumenthal, it's, Blumenthal, Ujian, didn't, Glenn O'Donnell, Forrester, stymie, Ann Wang, William Alan Reinsch, Reinsch, Russia —, Scott Kennedy, Kennedy, aren't, Ramping, Jake Epstein, Jacob Zinkula Organizations: US, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Armed, US Navy, American Enterprise Institute, US Department of Defense, US Marine Corps, Pentagon, Navigation Plan, Ford, Nimitz, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Beijing, Russia, Columbia University, Marine Locations: China, Western, Beijing, Pacific, Taiwan, South China, America, Nebraska, Pearl, Normandy, Mongolia, Ukraine, Russian, Nanchang, Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian, wean, Washington, United States, Japan, Philippines, Netherlands

The fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which sets policy for the Pentagon and authorizes $886 billion in spending, was approved 219-210. The vote was largely along party lines, a departure from the typical bipartisan support for a bill that has passed every year since 1961. The House voted 221 to 213 for an amendment that would reverse the Defense Department's policy of reimbursing expenses for service members who travel to obtain an abortion. The House also voted 222-211 to prohibit the Pentagon from paying for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatment. UPCOMING SENATE DEBATEHouse Republicans were able to pass their amendments without Democratic support, but such provisions would die in the Senate, where President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats hold a 51-49 majority.

Persons: Wade, Barry Loudermilk, Adam Smith, Joe Biden's, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Patricia Zengerle, Richard Cowan, David Morgan, Ismail Shakil, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S . House, Department of Defense, Republicans, Pentagon, Republican, U.S, Supreme, House Republicans, House Armed Services Committee, Democratic, Senate, eventual, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: China, Ukraine, Russia

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) speaks during a press conference on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with members of the House Freedom Caucus on July 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House narrowly passed an annual defense policy bill on Friday after Republicans added provisions on abortion and transgender surgeries — measures that were a nonstarter for Democrats. The amendments, adopted Thursday, would ban the secretary of defense from paying for or reimbursing service members for abortion-related expenses and transgender surgeries and hormone treatments. House Democratic leaders said Thursday that members of their caucus will vote against passing the bill. The defense legislation will eventually need to be reconciled with a version of the bill under consideration in the Senate.

Persons: Ronny Jackson, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane of, Thomas Massie of, Henry Cuellar, John Duarte of, Brian Fitzpatrick, Matt Rosendale, Joe Biden's, Hakeem Jeffries, Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Scott Perry, We're, Perry, Pete Aguilar, I've, Pat Ryan Organizations: National Defense, Caucus, Democrats, Four, Rep, Texas Democrat, Republicans, Department of Defense, Defense Department, Democratic, House Democratic, Senate, GOP, House Armed Services Committee Locations: Washington ,, Ken Buck of, Eli Crane of Arizona, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Texas, John Duarte of California, Pennsylvania, D

☆ Musk discusses his new company xAI, 'superintelligence,' and China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The event was billed as a conversation about the future of AI and came on a day that Musk launched his own new AI company, xAI. "I think a maximally curious AI, one that is just trying to sort of understand the universe is, I think, going to be pro-humanity," Musk said. He said the idea that a "digital superintelligence" could supplant the Chinese Communist Party itself seemed to resonate. Musk even said he believes the Chinese government would be open to collaborating on an international framework around AI regulation. Musk acknowledged he has "some vested interest in China" but ultimately believes "China is underrated" and that "the people of China are really awesome."

Persons: Elon Musk, Porte, Musk, Ro Khanna, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Xi Jinping, China's, Janet Yellen, John Kerry, he's Organizations: SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter, Viva Technology, Porte de, Chesnot, U.S, House Armed Services Committee, Chinese Communist Party, xAI, Motion, Communist Party, CCP, optimist, Netflix, CNBC, YouTube Locations: Paris, France, China, Taiwan, United States, West

☆ Taiwan says 11 Chinese aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, June 30 (Reuters) - Eleven Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Friday morning, an unofficial barrier between the two sides, Taiwan's defence ministry said, as China ramps up military pressure on the democratic island. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory despite the island's objections, has complained in recent years of almost daily missions by the Chinese air force, often in the southwestern part of its air defence identification zone. A total of 24 Chinese war planes including fighter jets and bombers were spotted near Taiwan on Friday morning from around 8 a.m. (00:00 GMT), the defence ministry said, adding five Chinese battleships also joined a "joint war readiness patrol." Taiwan sent aircraft and ships to warn away the Chinese activities, while missile systems monitored them, the ministry said, using standard wording for its response. Taiwan's government strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims and vows to defend itself if China attacks the island.

Persons: Mike Rogers, Tsai Ing, Taiwan's, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Armed, U.S . House, Representatives, The U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan Strait, China, Taiwan, Taipei, The, Lincoln

☆ Bipartisan lawmakers visit Taiwan as Biden seeks to stabilize China relationship
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Christina Wilkie | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan is a self-ruling democracy, but China views Taiwan as a province of the Chinese mainland. The visit comes at a sensitive time for America's relationship with China, its largest trading partner and strategic competitor in political, economic and security arenas. WASHINGTON — A bipartisan congressional delegation led by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers landed in Taiwan on Tuesday for a three day visit, according to the American Institute in Taiwan. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reportedly plans to visit China in July, Bloomberg News reported this week. But while visits by senior Biden administration officials to China may help normalize the U.S.-China relationship, visits like Rogers' delegation to Taiwan tend to have the opposite effect.

Persons: Mike Rogers, Tsai Ing, Adam Smith, WASHINGTON —, Rogers, Biden, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Janet Yellen Organizations: Republicans, U.S, Capitol, Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Alabama Republican, House Armed Services, American Institute, Congressional, United, Bloomberg News, Treasury, Biden, ., National Security Council Locations: Afghanistan, Taiwan, Washington, Pacific, China, Beijing, WASHINGTON, Taipei, United States

Blinken said tensions that sparked the action had been growing for months and added that the threat of internal turmoil could affect Moscow's military capabilities in Ukraine. Blinken described the turmoil as an "internal matter" for Putin. "It may be that Putin didn't want to debase himself to the level of negotiating directly with Prigozhin," Blinken said. "To the extent that the Russians are distracted and divided it may make their prosecution of aggression against Ukraine more difficult," Blinken told ABC. Senator Ben Cardin said the weekend turmoil in Russia does not ease Washington's need to continue aiding Ukraine as it launches its long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, NBC's, Prigozhin, Alexander Lukashenko, debase, Mike Turner, Turner, Ben Cardin, Cardin, Don Bacon, he's, Bacon, David Morgan, Hannah Lang, Tyler Clifford, Scott Malone, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter Organizations: U.S . Congress, Russian, Press, Forces, ABC, of, CBS, Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Fox News, Republican, U.S . Air Force, House Armed Services Committee, NBC, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russia, Poland, Baltic, Ukraine, Russian, Russia's, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

But certainly, we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead," Blinken told NBC's "Meet the Press" program. Blinken described the turmoil as an "internal matter" for Putin. "It may be that Putin didn't want to debase himself to the level of negotiating directly with Prigozhin," Blinken said. "To the extent that the Russians are distracted and divided it may make their prosecution of aggression against Ukraine more difficult," Blinken told ABC. Senator Ben Cardin said the weekend turmoil in Russia does not ease Washington's need to continue aiding Ukraine as it launches its long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, NBC's, Prigozhin, Alexander Lukashenko, debase, Mikhail Klimentyev, Mike Turner, Turner, Philip Breedlove, Breedlove, Ben Cardin, Cardin, Don Bacon, he's, Bacon, David Morgan, Hannah Lang, Tyler Clifford, Scott Malone, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter, Chris Reese Organizations: U.S . Congress, Russian, Press, REUTERS Forces, ABC, of, CBS, U.S . Air Force, . European Command, U.S, Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Fox News, Republican, House Armed Services Committee, NBC, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russia, Poland, Baltic, Ukraine, Russian, Kremlin, Russia's, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Lockheed and Airbus will tout their LMXT tanker at the Paris Airshow this week, bringing U.S. reporters onboard the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport on which the new plane is based. In 2011, Boeing won the first of a three-phase procurement to replace the Air Force's aging tanker fleet, securing a contract for 179 KC-46s. But Larry Gallogly, Lockheed’s director of LMXT business development, said Lockheed and Airbus "are most definitely still in this competition." Lockheed and Airbus sought a program of at least 120 aircraft, but “the business case can certainly close below that,” Gallogly said. Boeing Defense CEO Ted Colbert said the KC-46 "has proven to be highly capable" and is ready for the threats of the 2030s.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, Larry Gallogly, ” Gallogly, Ted Colbert, Jerry Carl, Carl, Valerie Insinna, Tim Hepher, Mark Potter Organizations: Pentagon, Aerospace titans Airbus, Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed, U.S, U.S . Air Force, Air, KC, Capitol, Air Force, General, Armed Services, Alabama Republican, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, PARIS, U.S, United States, Alabama, Georgia, American

☆ A Nevada Air Force base planned a drag show to celebrate Pride Month. Pentagon leaders said no.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Pentagon canceled a drag show scheduled for the first day of Pride Month at a Nevada Air Force base. Defense Department officials told the Air Force base their Thursday show couldn't take place, NBC News first reported, citing two defense officials and a US official. Representatives for Nellis Air Force Base and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment. "Drag queen story hours is not something that the department funds," Austin told the committee at the time, NBC News reported. "Consistent with Secretary Austin's congressional testimony, the Air Force will not host drag events at its installations or facilities.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Mark Milley, Austin, —, Milley, Lawanda Jackson, CoCo Montrese, Carnie, Carnie Asada, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz Organizations: Pentagon, Nevada Air Force, NBC, Service, Privacy, Nellis Air Force Base, Pride, . Defense Department, Air Force, NBC News, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Austin, Nellis, Representatives, Facebook, Florida Rep, Armed Services Committee, Nellis Air Force, Twitter Locations: Nevada, Vegas, Austin

House of Representatives Armed Services subcommittees had been scheduled to begin debate this week on the closely watched NDAA, which determines how the military spends its nearly-trillion-dollar annual budget. But it was put off at least temporarily as lawmakers and the White House hold talks on raising the government's $31.4 trillion debt. House Republicans passed a bill last month, with no support from Democrats, that would raise the debt ceiling only in exchange for sweeping spending cuts, including sharp reductions in "discretionary" spending on social programs. Democrats criticized the bill and said it would not be considered in the Senate, where their party controls a majority of seats. At the same time, Republicans have been pushing for an increase in defense spending, which exceeded $850 billion in the NDAA that passed last year, drawing criticism from Democrats.

☆ Armed with tanks and heavy armor from NATO, Ukraine says it's about to hit Russian forces with an 'iron fist'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine is almost ready to launch a long-awaited spring counteroffensive, its defense minister said. "We are to a high percentage ready," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Friday. Reznikov said Western-supplied weapons would serve as an "iron fist" against Russian forces. Stoltenberg said the aid provided to Ukraine included over 1,550 armored vehicles, 230 tanks, and other military hardware, as well as "vast amounts of ammunition." Meanwhile, the Ukrainian people continue to face the deadly consequences of the Russian onslaught, which targets not just the Ukrainian armed forces but also civilians.

☆ US Air Force secretary says it's time to move on from the A-10 Warthog because it 'doesn't scare China' and has only 'limited usability'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US Air Force has been trying for years to retire its aging fleet of A-10 Warthog planes. During a Thursday hearing, the service secretary said the aircraft "doesn't scare China." I was an advocate for that program for a long time, but it doesn't scare China." US Air Force maintainers work on an A-10 Warthog at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, September 2, 2011. In December 2021, the Air Force secretary lauded the Warthog, C-130 transport aircraft, and MQ-9 Reaper drone for their past effectiveness.

☆ US general cautions against writing Russia's army off in Ukraine: 'It is bigger today than it was at the beginning of the conflict'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's ground forces are bigger than they were when they first invaded Ukraine, a top US general said. "Much of the Russian military has not been affected negatively by this conflict," said Gen. Christopher Cavoli. He continued: "The Air Force has lost very little, they've lost 80 planes — they have another 1,000 fighters and fighter-bombers. Earlier in the hearing, Cavoli noted that "much of the Russian military has not been affected negatively by this conflict." Russia has also continued to combine this military power with cyber attacks and manipulation of the global energy supply, Cavoli said.

☆ Russian ground forces 'bigger today' than at start of the war in Ukraine, general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“The Navy has lost one ship.”Classified military documents allegedly leaked by a junior enlisted National Guard airman for months gave a snapshot of where Russia’s ground forces were committed in the war. One document, dated February and March, said that 527 of 544 of available Russian battalions have been committed to the war against Ukraine; 474 of them are already in the country, the intelligence said. One document also estimated that between 35,000 and 43,000 Russian forces have been killed in action during the conflict. “For about the last 20, 21 days, the Russians have not made any progress whatsoever in and around Bakhmut. Asked about Russia’s submarine patrols in the Atlantic, Cavoli said that “much of the Russian military has not been affected negatively” by its invasion of Ukraine.

☆ Russia's President Vladimir Putin could be a 'dead man walking,' a former CIA counterintelligence chief told an interviewer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A former CIA official laid out why he believes Putin will be 'eliminated' as leader of Russia. In an interview with The Sun, James Olson said, "I think Putin will be taken out." Olson said there is a "strong undercurrent of opposition to Putin" in the military and among oligarchs. He would not discount the most dramatic option in this possibility, saying, "I think Putin will be taken out. Olson believes Putin's generals are "disgusted" by the futility and the carnage of the fighting in Ukraine.

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