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Sen. Tommy Tuberville began blocking promotions for hundreds of military leaders earlier this year. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—Sen. Tommy Tuberville , who has held up hundreds of military promotions, is asking his colleagues to support an effort to quickly confirm Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney as second-in-command to the U.S. Marine Corps after its top officer collapsed during a jog on Sunday and was taken to the hospital, according to a senior Senate aide. Mahoney was nominated by the White House in July but had yet to be confirmed by the Senate along with hundreds of other senior officers’ promotions who remain frozen by Tuberville, an Alabama Republican, in a political battle over the Pentagon’s abortion policy.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Kevin Dietsch, WASHINGTON — Sen, Christopher Mahoney, Mahoney Organizations: Getty, WASHINGTON, U.S . Marine Corps, White, Alabama Republican Locations: Alabama

☆ Chinese fighter jet got within 10 feet of US bomber over South China Sea, US military says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of a US Air Force B-52 bomber flying over the South China Sea on Tuesday, according to the US military. Beijing cut off the communications after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last year, infuriating Chinese leaders. China uses its military might to assert its claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea and beyond, including Taiwan. In 2022, the Chinese military increased its aggressive actions towards the independent island territory, including ballistic missile overflights, military aircraft flying into Taiwan’s aerial identification zone and major exercises near Taiwan. Though Xi has said he is seeking the peaceful unification of Taiwan with China, he has not renounced the use of military force to achieve his goal.

Persons: “, Joe Biden, Wang Yi, Wang, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Xi Jinping, Ely Ratner, ” Ratner, Nancy Pelosi, “ I’ve, ”, Adm, John Aquilin, Xi Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Pacific Command, ”, Foreign, APEC, US, East, South China, National Defense Strategy, America Locations: South, US, San Francisco, Beijing, Taiwan, China

☆ Incident involving US warship intercepting missiles near Yemen lasted 9 hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A US warship that intercepted drones and missiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday encountered a larger and more sustained barrage than was previously known, shooting down 4 cruise missiles and 15 drones over a period of 9 hours, according to a US official familiar with the situation. Their trajectory left little doubt that the projectiles were headed for Israel, the official said, a clearer assessment than the Pentagon’s initial take. The drones and missiles were intercepted with SM-2 surface-to-air missiles launched from the USS Carney. US interceptions of Houthi launches are exceedingly rare, making the timing of this incident, as tensions rise in Israel, more significant. In response, the US fired sea-launched cruise missiles at Houthi radar facilities in Yemen.

Persons: Carney, Burke, Brig, Pat Ryder, ”, Ryder, USS Mason, I’m Organizations: CNN, Arleigh, Pentagon, SM, USS, Navy, US Central Command, Support, US Locations: Yemen, Suez, Israel, Gaza, East, Syria, Iraq, Iranian, Tanf, Baghdad

☆ China’s Military Is Making Risky Moves and Adding Nuclear Warheads, U.S. Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Chris Buckley | More About Chris Buckley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Risky ManeuversSince the fall of 2021, the Pentagon report says, the United States has recorded more than 180 intercepts of U.S. aircraft by Chinese military forces in the region. Beijing has long bristled at the U.S. military aircraft and ships that operate in international skies and seas near China. Beijing did not immediately comment on the Pentagon report. The most eye-catching evidence of China’s nuclear buildup in recent years has been three clusters of missile silos that have been dug out of the deserts of northern China. The Pentagon report found that construction of the silos had been completed by last year and that “at least some” intercontinental ballistic missiles had been installed in them.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi Organizations: Pentagon, U.S, People’s Liberation Army Locations: United States, Beijing, China . China, China, Canada, U.S, Chinese, Taiwan, Russia

To underscore the pattern, the Pentagon released previously nonpublic photos and videos of Chinese fighter jets intercepting US aircraft flying in international airspace. The images, which date back to January 2022, show Chinese fighter jets getting dangerously close to US military jets in international airspace in an attempt to “intimidate” them, the Pentagon said in a statement about the incidents. Some of the Chinese fighter jets came within 20 feet of the US planes, the videos show. Office of the Secretary of Defense Public AffairsThe photos and videos also show the Chinese jets releasing objects and projectiles, including flares. But the Pentagon’s efforts this year to engage with Chinese military leadership have gone unanswered, and US officials have grown increasingly concerned about the lack of military-to-military dialogue between the countries.

Persons: ”, Ely Ratner, ” Ratner, Austin, Adm, John Aquilino, Defense Lloyd Austin, “, Wei Fenghe, Nancy Pelosi, “ I’ve, ” Aquilino Organizations: CNN, US, East, South China, Pacific Security Affairs, Pentagon, PLA, Defense Public Affairs, People’s, Army, Defense, National Defense, Military, Security, China Locations: South, “, People’s Republic of China, Beijing, Taiwan

Washington CNN —Concern is growing within the Pentagon over the potential need to stretch its increasingly scarce ammunition stockpiles to support Ukraine and Israel in two separate wars, according to multiple US defense officials. At the moment Ukraine and Israel require different weapons: Ukraine wants massive amounts of artillery ammunition while Israel has requested precision guided aerial munitions and Iron Dome interceptors. Israel has its own capable industrial base and produces many of its own advanced weapons, but a prolonged ground campaign could drain the country’s stockpiles, officials said. The request was immediately approved by former President Barack Obama, and the equipment was pulled from US reserve stockpiles in Israel. Defense officials are also anxious about the dysfunction in Congress and whether lawmakers will approve additional funding for US support to Israel and Ukraine.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ”, Austin, “ We’re, CQ Brown, Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama, Russia –, Netanyahu, Christine Wormuth, John Kirby, “, ” Kirby, we’ve, that’s, we’re Organizations: Washington CNN, Pentagon, Joint Staff, Transportation Command, Hamas, Defense, US, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Defense Department, Gaza, ”, Israel, National Security Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Brussels, Austin, Belgium, Russia

☆ Kyiv: Ousting of US House speaker darkens outlook for Ukraine aid as funds dry up
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

That left the Biden administration’s $24 billion request for fresh military aid, submitted to Congress in the summer, in limbo. While it’s unclear who might succeed him, several potential candidates are skeptical about continuing support for Ukraine at current levels. Let’s be clear, if the US Congress does not pass a funding bill, Ukraine will be in deep trouble. But for Ukraine’s military planners, the uncertainty is an immense challenge as they try to plot any winter offensive or where to place air defenses. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty ImagesBut a senior adviser to Zelensky criticized “Western conservative elites” for suggesting that military aid to Ukraine should be suspended.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy “, ” McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelensky, Robert Fico’s, –, Michael McCord, McCord, ”, Max Bergmann, ” Bergmann, Bergmann, “, Bergman, Dmytro Kuleba, ” Kuleba, Oksana Markarova, ” Markarova, Bryan R, Smith, Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, Podolyak, ” Podolyak Organizations: CNN, Russia grinds, Kyiv, Biden, Ukraine, Russia, NATO, Congressional, House Democrats, Pentagon, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Center for Strategic, International Studies, “, ‘, European Union, Facebook, Embassy of, USA, UN, Assembly, …, Congress Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Washington, Slovakia, Poland, Warsaw, Kyiv, Embassy of Ukraine, AFP

☆ U.S. revives Cold War submarine spy program to counter China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +21 min

The original network of fixed spy cables, which lie in secret locations on the ocean floor, was designed to spy on Soviet submarines seven decades ago, the three people said. China, meanwhile, is working on its own maritime spy program, known as the Great Underwater Wall, two U.S. Navy sources told Reuters. Sense of urgencyAmerica’s underwater espionage program was launched in the 1950s with a submarine detection system known as the Sound Surveillance System. The U.S. Navy’s Undersea Surveillance System The United States is expanding and upgrading its anti-submarine surveillance capabilities as tensions rise with China. Japan also operates a fleet of three ocean surveillance ships, fitted with U.S. SURTASS cables, the two U.S. Navy sources said.

Persons: Captain Stephany Moore, Richard Seif, Moore, Seif, ”, Tim Hawkins, Mariana Trench, Brent Sadler, We're, Sadler, ” Jon Nelson, Phillip Sawyer, Sawyer, United States –, SOSUS, SubCom, Stephen Askins, Lockheed Martin, Chuck Fralick, Leidos, ” Fralick, Hawkins, Richard Jenkins, Saildrone, Joe Brock, Mohammad Kawoosa, Simon Scarr, Edgar Su, Catherine Tai Design, Eve Watling, Marla Dickerson Organizations: U.S . Navy, Navy, Undersea Surveillance Command, Undersea Surveillance, United, Submarine Force U.S . Pacific Fleet, Reuters, U.S . 5th Fleet, U.S, Pacific, China Academy of Sciences, China’s Ministry of Defense, Foreign, China Naval, U.S . Naval Forces Korea, The Heritage Foundation, Department of Defense, Naval Air Station Whidbey, Processing, Undersea, Undersea Warfare, Naval Postgraduate School, Taiwan, Ships, Titan, Navy’s, CS, U.S . Department of Defense, Lockheed, U.S . State Department, An Australian Defense, Self, Defense Force, Leidos Locations: Seattle, U.S, Whidbey, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Australia, Pacific, South China, Mariana, Yap, Federated States, Micronesia, Guam, Russian, Ukraine, Washington . U.S, Washington, Soviet Union, Washington State, Virginia Beach , Virginia, Monterey , California, Japan, India, States, London, Taiwan Strait, Virginia, San Francisco

CNN —The Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Gen. C.Q. Brown to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following a monthslong hold of over more than 300 military promotions by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. On Thursday, the Senate will take votes to confirm the new Army chief of staff and the new Marine Corps commandant. Tuberville has refused to drop his holds, insisting instead that Schumer set up individual votes on each nominee. “The Senate runs on unanimous consent, and we depend on each other to ensure this institution functions smoothly,” Schumer said.

Persons: C.Q . Brown, Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Chuck Schumer, –, Tuberville, Schumer, “, ” “ It’s, Sen, ” Schumer, Democrats demurred, Virginia Sen, Tim Kaine, we’re, “ We’re, VoteVets, ”, Roger Wicker of Organizations: CNN, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Republican, Marine Corps, Army, Alabama, Defense Department, ”, Democrats, VFW, GOP, Armed Services Committee, Pentagon Locations: Alabama, Roger Wicker of Mississippi

But as the ramifications of Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s freeze have grown, more of them are speaking out. Political Cartoons View All 1163 ImagesBut now even the Pentagon’s soon-to-be highest military leader is speaking out. It's not the first time general officer promotions have been frozen by a single senator. Six months into Tuberville's hold, 315 military officers are now affected, and the impact cuts deeper in some services. In the small and still growing U.S. Space Force, at least eight general officers’ nominations are on hold — but that’s one third of all of its 25 senior officers.

Persons: Alabama Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville’s, they’ve, “ We’re, Mark Kelly, Kelly, he’s, Christopher Grady, Mark Milley, C.Q . Brown, can’t, Brown, ” Grady, Grady, there’s, Donald Trump’s, Biden, ”, Mark Harkins, ” Tuberville, Lloyd Austin, Tuberville, Larry Korb, It's, Democratic Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Trump, Alexander Vindman, Duckworth, Vindman, Chance Saltzman, we’re, Charles Flynn, Flynn, Kori Schake, “ It’s, ” Schake, Lisa Franchetti, Franchetti, —, hadn’t, ” Kelly, ” ___ Lita C, Baldor Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Alabama Republican, ” Air Force, Air Combat Command, Uniformed, Chiefs, Air Force, Joint Chiefs, Air and Space Forces Association, Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University, Biden, Pentagon, Defense Department, Center for American Progress, Democratic, . Space Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Army, American Enterprise Institute, Senate Armed Services Committee, Embassy Locations: Alabama, Maryland, ”, Dobbs, Washington

To start, Congress faces a deadline to fund the government by the end of the month, or risk a potentially devastating federal shutdown. But starting a formal impeachment inquiry into Biden could help to appease Republican allies of Trump, who has emerged as the GOP frontrunner to confront Biden in the 2024 election for the White House. Woodhouse is now a senior adviser to the Congressional Integrity Project, which is preparing to criticize Republicans over the Biden impeachment. While the shutdown is the more pressing problem for McCarthy, the Biden impeachment inquiry is his bigger political gamble. McCarthy has signaled an impeachment inquiry is coming.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, It's, —, Joe Biden, “ They've, ”, John Thune of, Donald Trump's, “, Hunter Biden, Biden, Trump, Brad Woodhouse, Woodhouse, White, Ian Sams, deride, Matt Gaetz, Kevin, ” Gaetz, Ken Buck, Jen Psaki, ” Trump, GOP Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Murkowski, couldn't, we’ve Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Capitol, Republicans, Republican, White, Democratic, Congressional, House, Caucus, Defense Department, ”, Senate, GOP Locations: Ukraine, John Thune of South Dakota, Washington, U.S, Mexico, Russia, Lago, Alaska

Ultimately, as many as half of the 1,100 troops stationed in Niger could be pulled from the country, two officials said. A final decision to withdraw troops from Niger has not yet been made, the officials said, and the number of troops that could leave has not been determined. But a transfer of troops from one base to another could compel the military to pull some troops from Niger. The removal of some troops from Niger could start in the coming weeks, one official said, and the pace at which it happens depends on conditions on the ground. In addition, some troops from Air Base 101 near the capital of Niamey would relocate to Air Base 201 in Agadez.

Persons: Biden, Sabrina Singh Organizations: CNN, US, Pentagon, Air Base, Politico, Defense Department, Nigerien Locations: Niger, Niamey, Agadez, Mali, Burkina Faso

Let’s go to work.”Tuberville’s blockade is unique because it affects hundreds of military nominations and promotions. But, while unusual, Tuberville's office notes that lawmakers from both parties have threatened holds on military promotions over the years. But if Republican leaders are pressuring Tuberville to end his holds, they are not doing so publicly. Some Republicans have suggested that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., could hold votes on some of the most critical nominations. “I'd like to vote to rescind the policy, but I'm not going to hold the military up in perpetuity,” Graham said.

Persons: Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, “ We're, ”, servicemembers, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Tuberville, ” “, “, ” Tuberville, Lloyd Austin, Let’s, It’s, What's, Austin, Court’s Dobbs, “ I'm, Sen, John Thune, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, ” Schumer, Lindsey Graham, it's, I'm, ” Graham, Roger Wicker, ” Wicker Organizations: WASHINGTON, Alabama, Pentagon, Navy, Air Force, Army, Washington Post, Marine Corps, CNN, ‘, Democratic, Senate, Defense Department, Senate Armed Services Committee, Republican, Marines, Space Force, Senate Armed Services Locations: Washington, Russia, Tuberville

Washington CNN —The three US military service secretaries went on the offensive against Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville over his ongoing hold on senior military nominations in an interview with CNN on Tuesday, saying he is aiding communist and autocratic regimes, and being used by adversaries like China against the US. “That is what the American people truly need to understand.”“It is just unprecedented to be attacking apolitical general officers and flag officers in this way. But placing a blanket hold on all general and flag officer nominees, who as apolitical officials have traditionally been exempt from the hold process, is unfair to these military leaders and their families. It is time to lift this dangerous hold and confirm our senior military leaders.”“Chuck Schumer could confirm all of the service chiefs in one day—but he refuses. Wormuth said Tuesday that she’s worried the hold will impact morale among lower-ranking officers.

Persons: Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Frank Kendall, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Carlos Del Toro, Christine Wormuth, ” Kendall, “, ”, ” Del Toro, Del Toro, Wormuth, ” Wormuth, Chuck Schumer, ” Steven Stafford, Tuberville, ” Tuberville, Mitch McConnell, C.Q . Brown, Joe Biden, Mark Milley, she’s Organizations: Washington CNN, Republican, CNN, ” Air Force, an Air Force, “ Senators, Biden, Pentagon, Department, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Missile Defense Agency Locations: China, United States, Washington ,, Cuba, Washington, Alabama

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:Aug. 31The Washington Post on sexism in the U.S. militaryNearly eight years ago, the United States opened up all military combat roles to women, clearing a pathway for female service members to join the most elite military forces. Women at multiple military bases reported that other soldiers would bang on their doors in the middle of the night. Even a program that once represented the highest ideals of the United States — its compassion, its expertise and its resources — is becoming a casualty of the country’s most destructive and divisive forces. Lack of adequate cooling during hot summers has plagued Southern states for decades, but climate change has now made it a problem in Northern states as well — Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Indiana. Ukraine received the first batch of uranium munitions from the United Kingdom in March to use in its UK-made Challenger 2 tanks.

Persons: Soldiers, “, ”, George W, Bush, Anthony Fauci, Mark Dybul, PEPFAR, Henry Hyde, Dave Weldon, H.I.V, Hyde, Weldon, Biden, MAGA, Biden’s, Mr, Chris Smith of, Smith, Roe, Wade, Tommy Tuberville, Susan B, Anthony Pro, ” Nyserda, Don’t, Louisianans, it’s, commissaries, Joe Arpaio, let’s, perceptibly Organizations: Washington, Green, Ranger Regiment, Green Berets, Army Rangers, Special Operations, Army Special Operations Command, Special Forces, Army, Command, New York Times, Democrats, Republicans, Catholic Church, Republican Party, AIDS Relief, Republican, Heritage Foundation, Biden, Mr, PEPFAR, America, Family Research, United, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, Alliance, Clean Energy, Alliance for Clean Energy, Developers, Micron Technology, Los Angeles Times, Staff, Prisons, US State Department, US Locations: United States, U.S, Afghanistan, Africa, Illinois, Florida, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Alabama, New York, Ukraine, California , Connecticut, Hawaii , Indiana , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts, Michigan , New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Louisiana, Angola, Texas, Southern, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota , Indiana, Maricopa County, Ariz, Los Angeles, California, Corcoran, Tulare Lake, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Moscow, Belarus, Washington, Europe, Asia, Brazil, Indonesia

☆ Ukrainian Commander Urges More Defenses in the Northeast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Thomas Gibbons-Neff | More About Thomas Gibbons-Neff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Russian forces have managed to push forward around the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk in recent weeks as Kyiv’s forces have made slow headway in their continuing counteroffensive in the south and the east. Russia’s gains, while not significant, have led Ukrainian forces to dedicate some troops to defend parts of the sprawling front line, which stretches for several hundred miles, despite their need elsewhere. “Enemy units continue to inflict damage with artillery, mortars and aircraft,” the general, Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander of Ukraine’s eastern forces, said on the Telegram messaging app on Friday. Under the Pentagon’s reasoning, Kyiv should have committed an outsize number of forces on one portion of the front line to attempt a breakthrough. Ukrainian commanders have instead tried to divide troops and firepower in a manner that they consider to be as fair and as equal as possible between the east and south.

Persons: Oleksandr Syrsky Organizations: “, The New York Times Locations: Kyiv, Washington, Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Kupiansk

President Biden escalated his confrontation with China on Wednesday by signing an executive order banning American investments in key technology industries that could be used to enhance Beijing’s military capabilities, the latest in a series of moves putting further distance between the world’s two largest economies. The order will prohibit venture capital and private equity firms from pumping money into Chinese efforts to develop semiconductors and other microelectronics, quantum computers and certain artificial intelligence applications. Administration officials stressed that the move was tailored to guard national security, but China is likely to see it as part of a wider campaign to contain its rise. “The Biden administration is committed to keeping America safe and defending America’s national security through appropriately protecting technologies that are critical to the next generation of military innovation,” the Treasury Department said in a statement. A series of expanding export controls on key technologies to China has already triggered retaliation from Beijing, which recently announced the cutoff of metals like gallium that are critical for the Pentagon’s own supply chain.

Persons: Biden, “, Richard M, Nixon, Henry Kissinger Organizations: Treasury Department, U.S . Locations: China, U.S, Beijing

CNN —President Joe Biden has decided that the headquarters of US Space Command will remain in Colorado and not move to Alabama, two US officials told CNN on Monday, reversing a decision by then-President Donald Trump. US Space Command, which is a joint command and separate from the US Space Force military branch, is currently housed in Colorado Springs, but the Air Force recommended near the end of Trump’s presidency that the command be moved to Huntsville, Alabama. Former Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett also chose Huntsville as the preferred location for SPACECOM headquarters in 2021. Colorado Springs is home to Peterson Space Force Base, previously known as Peterson Air Force Base. Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Republican from Colorado and chair of the House Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces, hailed Biden’s decision to keep Space Command headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base, calling it “the most viable option” and the “best permanent home” for the military’s newest combatant command.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump ., Frank Kendall, Biden, Barbara Barrett, James Dickinson, Defense Lloyd Austin, Kendall, ”, Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, SPACECOM, Tuberville’s, ” Tuberville, “, Katie Britt, Biden “ irresponsibly, yank, Robert Aderholt, Doug Lamborn Organizations: CNN, US Space Command, Donald Trump . US Space Command, US Space Force, Air Force, Huntsville , Alabama . Air Force, Force, Former Air Force, Huntsville, Space Command, Defense, of, Republican, The Department of Defense, Alabama, Department of Defense’s, ” Republican, Arsenal, Missile Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Peterson Space Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, House Armed, “, Associated Press, SPACECOM Locations: Colorado, Alabama, Colorado Springs, Huntsville , Alabama, SPACECOM, Huntsville

☆ Biden Cancels Space Command Move to Alabama Amid Tuberville Feud
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Karoun Demirjian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Pentagon announced on Monday that President Biden had canceled an order by former President Donald J. Trump to move the United States Space Command headquarters to Alabama, prompting an outcry from Republicans who accused him of acting out of political spite amid a fierce partisan standoff over the Pentagon’s abortion access policies. The decision came as a blockade of military promotions by Senator Tommy Tuberville, Republican of Alabama, dragged into its sixth month. Mr. Tuberville has refused to consent to the promotions of senior generals and admirals in protest of a Pentagon policy that reimburses military personnel who have to travel to obtain an abortion or fertility treatments. House Republicans have also taken aim at the rule, instituted after the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion, adding language to the annual defense policy bill to cancel it. Mr. Biden made his decision after the head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, argued that moving the headquarters to Alabama from its current location in Colorado Springs would hurt military readiness, particularly as the United States is racing to compete with China in space, according to a Defense Department official who spoke about it on the condition of anonymity.

Persons: Biden, Donald J, Trump, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, James Dickinson Organizations: Pentagon, United States Space Command, Republican, Republicans, Space Command, Defense Department Locations: Alabama, Colorado Springs, United States, China

☆ Senate Passes Bipartisan Defense Bill, Setting Up a Clash With the House
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Karoun Demirjian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“What’s happening in the Senate is a stark contrast to the partisan race to the bottom we saw in the House, where House Republicans are pushing partisan legislation that has zero chance of passing,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, said on the floor Thursday. “We are passing important bipartisan legislation; they are throwing on the floor partisan legislation that has no chance of passing.”House Republican leaders capitulated to pressure from right-wing lawmakers to load up the legislation with partisan provisions, prompting all but four Democrats to oppose it. The Biden administration warned in a statement about the Senate bill on Thursday that those provisions would undermine efforts promote a diverse work force. The White House has said that President Biden would veto the House bill. The chief Republican objection to the Senate measure was that it was not large enough.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, “, Roe, Wade, ’, Biden, Roger Wicker Organizations: Republicans, Republican, Pentagon Locations: New York, ”, Mississippi, Australia, United States

☆ Lawmakers and Former Officials Press for Answers on U.F.O.s
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Helene Cooper | More About Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I met a fellow who came in here all the way from Denmark to be here for this meeting. So this is huge.”It is not clear, however, that the hearing provided the gentleman from Denmark much more than what has already been reported. The men first described the incidents to The New York Times in 2017 and 2018 in stories that prompted calls from lawmakers for more government transparency. The sightings were reported to the Pentagon’s shadowy Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, which analyzes radar data, video footage and accounts provided by senior officers. Some of the objects in videos released by the Pentagon have been explained as optical illusions or drones, but others remain unexplained.

Persons: ”, “, David Fravor, Ryan Graves Organizations: Navy, New York Times, Pentagon Locations: Denmark

A House Oversight subcommittee convened Wednesday’s hearing on UFOs, as the lawmakers who pushed for the hearing are calling for the government to be more forthcoming about the unidentified anomalous phenomena. The hearing is the latest push by lawmakers, intelligence officials and military personnel working on unexplained aerial phenomena to probe the issue on a national platform. “This is an issue of government transparency,” said Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican who pushed to hold Wednesday’s hearing. We’re going to uncover the cover up, and I hope this is just the beginning of many more hearings.”No government officials testified at Wednesday’s hearing. Lawmakers have pressed the Department of Defense on the sightings, describing them as potential national security threats.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Ryan Graves, Graves, David Fravor, David Grusch, ” Fravor, Tim Burchett, “ We’re, … We’re, Sean Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick, “, Robert Garcia of, Garcia, Jared Moskowitz, ” Moskowitz, ” Graves Organizations: CNN, Navy, Safe Aerospace, US Navy, Air Force, Tennessee Republican, Department of Defense, Democratic, Florida Democrat, House Intelligence Locations: Robert Garcia of California, Florida

The plots to steal the weaponry and equipment were disrupted by Ukraine’s intelligence services and it was ultimately recovered, according to the report, titled “DoD’s Accountability of Equipment Provided to Ukraine.” CNN obtained the report via a Freedom of Information Act request. In late October, the US resumed on-site inspections of Ukrainian weapons depots as a way to better track where the equipment was going. The personnel did not provide the IG with corroborating paperwork by the time the investigation concluded, however, the report notes. Ukraine’s intelligence service disrupted the plot, according to the report. The Pentagon inspector general wrote that some larger items like missiles and helicopters were easier to track through intelligence mechanisms.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Military.com, Kyiv “, Colin Kahl, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Ron DeSantis, Defense Department “ Organizations: CNN, Defense, ” CNN, Arms, Control, of Defense Cooperation, Kyiv, DoD, US, Republicans, Republican, Florida Gov, Command, Pentagon, Defense Department Locations: Ukraine, United States

☆ Restrictive abortion laws hurting US military, White House says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - Restrictive abortion laws in states like Alabama are harming the U.S. military's ability to retain service members and impacting morale, the White House said on Monday as the administration sought to increase pressure on the Senate over the issue. NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinHe noted that those who volunteer to serve in the military do not get to pick where they are ultimately stationed, including bases located in states with restrictive abortion laws. "So if you don't think there's going to be a retention and morale issue, think again, because it's already having that effect," Kirby told a news briefing. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Susan HeaveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tommy Tuberville, John Kirby, Strategic Communications John Kirby, Evelyn Hockstein, it's, Kirby, Joe Biden's, Roe, Wade, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Jonathan Oatis, Susan Heavey Organizations: Senate, U.S, Republican, National Security, Strategic Communications, White, REUTERS, Joint Chiefs, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Alabama, Washington , U.S, U.S

☆ Pentagon’s Top General, Mark Milley, Calls for Faster Weapons Sales to Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Gordon Lubold | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones, 696f6504 Locations: taiwan

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