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☆ US says ‘understanding’ reached at Gaza hostage talks but negotiations continue
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Camila Dechalus | Sam Fossum | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Negotiators have come to an “understanding” on the broad contours of a potential deal to release hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN Sunday. An Israeli delegation, including Mossad director David Barnea, joined talks with CIA director Bill Burns and Egyptian and Qatar negotiators in Paris on Friday. Qatar and Egypt serve as intermediaries between Hamas and Israel, which do not talk directly to each other. Crucially, Hamas has not yet signed onto this possible framework and any possible final deal is still, at the earliest, days away as negotiators continue to hammer out the actual details. But we will have to wait and see.”When pressed by Bash on how hopeful he was about a potential deal, Sullivan declined to weigh in: “There’s been a lot of to’ing and fro’ing.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, David Barnea, Bill Burns, I’m, ” Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, Bash, Sullivan, “, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, they’ve Organizations: CNN, National, CNN Sunday, CIA, Qatar, Union, Israeli, Fox News Locations: Gaza, Paris, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, United States, ‘ State

CNN —The Biden administration will impose a fresh slate of sanctions on more than 500 targets on Friday in response to the death of opposition figure Alexey Navalny and on the eve of Russia’s two-year war in Ukraine, according to a Treasury official. The sanctions mark the latest move by the administration to levy consequences against Russia amid heightened tensions between the two countries. While those sanctions have hampered Russia’s economy, they haven’t deterred Putin from proceeding with the invasion. The US, along with other Western governments, has levied a series of sanctions against Russia in recent years, but Russia has adapted to them. Putin has taken to gloating about Russia’s resistance to international sanctions, which take time to have an effect.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Alexey Navalny, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Navalny’s, Putin, “, ” Biden, Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Treasury, Wednesday, Russia, US, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Russia, San Francisco, United States, Moscow

☆ The White House says it's tracking a new Russian space weapon that violates a nuclear arms treaty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The White House has confirmed that Russia is building a new weapon to be put in space. The weapon is thought to be nuclear-related, with the White House saying it would violate the Outer Space Treaty. AdvertisementThe White House confirmed on Thursday that it is monitoring Russia's development of a new weapon to be stationed in space. But the spokesperson also said the weapon would violate the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, of which Russia is still a participant. The treaty specifically bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in space, including nuclear arms.

Persons: it's, —, It's, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, hasn't, Mike Turner, Hakeem Jeffries, Jake Sullivan, MANDEL NGAN, Jim Himes Organizations: Service, White House, The New York Times, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US, Intelligence, GOP House, intel, National Security, Getty, Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Hill, Washington ,, AFP, Jim Himes of Connecticut

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — World leaders and Russian opposition activists wasted no time Friday in blaming the reported death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny on President Vladimir Putin and his government. Navalny was “brutally murdered by the Kremlin,” said Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Other Russian opposition activists echoed him. “If it is confirmed, the death of Alexei is a murder. Organized by Putin,” opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov said on social media.

Persons: Alexei Navalny, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “ Putin, —, ” Zelenskyy, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, Navalny, “, Edgars Rinkēvičs, Ivan Zhdanov, hasn’t, Alexei, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Dmitry Gudkov, Garry Kasparov, ” Kasparov, Pyotr Verzilov, “ Navalny, Verzilov, Ursula von der Leyen, Jens Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Kremlin, EU, NATO, National, NPR Locations: TALLINN, Estonia, Russian, Berlin, Russia, Navalny, Germany

MUNICH (AP) — Long regarded as a celebration of the U.S.-led post-World War II international order, the Munich Security Conference this year will be more of a reflection of America’s political turmoil. And overshadowing it all will be Trump’s threat to not automatically come to the defense of European allies should they be attacked by Russia. That is a cornerstone of NATO’s founding treaty, which has taken on additional significance since Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022. Blinken, too, will be conveying that message in Munich, according to the top U.S. diplomat for Europe, James O’Brien. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assailed Trump’s comments.

Persons: — Long, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Alejandro Mayorkas, Adolf Hitler, Harris, Blinken, laud, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Jake Sullivan, ”, James O’Brien, O’Brien, “, Olaf Scholz, Trump’s, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: Munich Security, Homeland, Republican, Nazi Party, laud American, Republicans, NATO, Democratic Locations: MUNICH, U.S, Munich, Russia, Ukraine, Gaza, Bavarian, Europe, Congress, United States, Finland, Sweden

☆ White House: Russia's Anti-Satellite Capability Is Concerning but No Immediate Threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Andrea Shalal and Steve HollandWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia is developing an anti-satellite capability that has not yet been deployed and U.S. President Joe Biden has requested direct diplomatic engagement with Moscow about it, the White House said on Thursday. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, said the weapon is concerning but poses no immediate threat. At the daily White House news briefing, Kirby shed light on the new Russian capability after a senior Republican lawmaker, U.S. Representative Mike Turner, on Wednesday warned of a "serious national security threat." The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesWhite House national security adviser Jake Sullivan planned to brief four senior lawmakers about the threat on Thursday. He said it was a troubling development "but no immediate threat to anyone's safety" on earth.

Persons: Andrea Shalal, Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Kirby, Mike Turner, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Steve Holland, Chris Reese, Chizu Organizations: White House, Republican, White Locations: Russia, Moscow

☆ US lawmakers were just briefed on intel that Russia is trying to put a nuclear weapon in space: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

US lawmakers were given intel on a new nuclear space weapon Russia is building, multiple outlets reported. AdvertisementUS leaders in Congress were briefed on Wednesday about new intelligence that Moscow is making progress on a nuclear weapon in space that can attack satellites, multiple media outlets reported. In a regular press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan declined to share details about the "national security threat" but acknowledged that Biden officials are meeting to discuss it with lawmakers. It's not immediately clear if the Russian space weapon in question is nuclear-powered or uses nuclear arms. However, Moscow has been pulling out of other nuclear weapon treaties in recent years, raising fears that the world could enter another Cold War-like environment.

Persons: Mike Turner, —, Biden declassify, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Jim Himes, Himes, Mike, Jake Sullivan, Turner, Sullivan, It's Organizations: intel, CNN, Service, ABC News, New York Times, ABC, Intelligence, Administration, Times, Capitol, Democratic, National, Biden, Center for Strategic & International Studies Locations: Russia, Capitol HIll, Moscow, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday he had information about a serious national security threat and urged the administration to declassify the information so the U.S. and its allies can openly discuss how to respond. Rep. Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican, gave no details about the threat in his statement, including whether it was a new one. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at a White House briefing that he already had been due to brief Turner and other senior congressional intelligence leaders, known as the Gang of Eight, on Thursday. Photos You Should See View All 22 Images“I’m focused on going to see him, sit with him as well as the other House members of the Gang of Eight, tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “And I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”

Persons: Mike Turner, Turner, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, ” Sullivan, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, House Intelligence, Ohio Republican, Wednesday Locations: U.S, Ohio

CNN —House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner has made intelligence around a “serious national security threat” available to all members of Congress to review. Two sources familiar with the matter and a US official tell CNN the threat is related to Russia. “That’s been on the books. He declined to elaborate on the nature of the threat. “I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time,” he said.

Persons: Mike Turner, Turner, ” Turner, Joe Biden, declassify, Jake Sullivan, “, ” Sullivan, “ That’s, “ I’m, ”, Biden Organizations: CNN — House, CNN, House Intelligence, ” National Locations: Russia, United States

☆ Kremlin Denies Reuters Report That Putin Offered a Ceasefire in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Wednesday denied a Reuters report that Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a ceasefire in Ukraine to the United States via intermediaries. Asked if the Reuters report that Russia had made peace proposals was true, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "No. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent signals to Washington in 2023 in public and privately through intermediaries, including through Moscow's Arab partners in the Middle East, that he was ready to consider a ceasefire in Ukraine, Russian sources told Reuters. Intermediaries met in Turkey in late 2023, according to three Russian sources, and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan telephoned Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, in January. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesPhotos You Should See View All 22 Images(Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Trevelyan/Guy Faulconbridge)

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Jake Sullivan, Yuri Ushakov, Felix Light, Mark Trevelyan, Guy Faulconbridge Organizations: Wednesday, Reuters, Kremlin, White House National Locations: MOSCOW, Ukraine, United States, Russia, Washington, Turkey

☆ US raises concerns about cozying relations between Russia and North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In January, high-ranking North Korean and Russian diplomats met in Moscow in advance of what North Korean state media says is a forthcoming visit to Pyongyang by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself — his first in more than 20 years. Trade with Russia could also further weaken the sanctions regime the US has placed on North Korea, also accelerating its economy and potentially bolstering its arms development program. As always with North Korea, deciphering how the hermit kingdom may respond is like reading chicken bones. For weeks, a blog post on an influential North Korea watchers website written by two former analysts circulated within the US government. If anything, some analysts believe, North Korea’s public statements signal that North Korea is abandoning its reunification policy in pursuit of peace on the peninsula.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, —, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Kim, ”, “, ” Jeffrey Lewis, Lewis, ” Lewis, Sydney Seiler, Seiler, ” Kim doesn’t, “ That’s, “ Kim, it’s, We’re, ” Seiler, we’ll Organizations: CNN, North, Russia, Intelligence, White House, DPRK, Democratic People’s, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, North Korean, National Intelligence Council, US Locations: North Korea, Washington, South Korea, Russia, Moscow, Pyongyang, Russian, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic, Soviet Union, United States, North, China, Beijing, Japan, Korean

☆ Trump’s NATO comments stir up a political storm as Russia keeps quiet
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Sam Meredith | Www.Linkedin.Com In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Former U.S. president Donald Trump pictured during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at Winfield House, London on Dec. 3, 2019. She added that the NATO alliance "allows us to prevent war." The defense spending target is not a requirement and many countries have sought to ramp up their military spending since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. NATO's so-called Article 5 mutual defense clause means that an attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against all allies. "NATO cannot be an 'a la carte' military alliance ... depending on the humor of the president of the U.S.," Borrell said when asked to respond to Trump's comments, Reuters reported.

Persons: Donald Trump, Jens Stoltenberg, NICHOLAS KAMM, Trump, …, Vladimir, Dmitry Peskov, Trump's, Joe Biden, Biden, Nikki Haley, Haley, Chris Christie, I've, Jake Sullivan, Dursun, Stoltenberg, NATO Ally, Josep Borrell, Borrell Organizations: U.S, NATO, Winfield House, AFP, Getty, Former, Statista, Russia, Reuters, Top, Democratic, Republican, South Carolina Gov, CBS, NBC News, US National Security, North Atlantic Council, Anadolu Locations: London, Former U.S, South Carolina, Russia, U.S, United States, Brussels, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, NATO's

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that he and his NATO counterparts cautioned Hungary on Wednesday against further delaying Sweden’s membership in the military alliance, and he warned that patience in Washington has its limits. The governing Fidesz party, which holds an absolute majority in Hungary's parliament, has stalled Sweden’s bid since July 2022, alleging that Swedish politicians have told “blatant lies” about the state of Hungarian democracy. The party insists that Sweden’s prime minister must come to Hungary first. The country, along with the other 30 allies, must all agree that Sweden should stand among NATO’s ranks. Hungary is the only member standing in its way.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s, “, ” Sullivan, Sullivan, ”, Orbán, Ulf Kristersson Organizations: —, NATO, Wednesday, Fidesz, Sweden’s, Kremlin, Swedish Locations: BRUSSELS, Hungary, Washington, Hungarian, Hungary's, Sweden, Brussels, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, Budapest

☆ Oil prices rise as traders weigh Gaza truce talks, U.S. tensions with Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose Tuesday as investors weighed efforts to negotiate a truce in Gaza against a U.S. vow to take further action against militants in the Middle East. Blinken is consulting with allies in the region in an effort to secure a truce in Gaza and prevent the war from spilling over in to a broader regional conflict. Blinken's trip to the region comes after the U.S. again launched airstrikes against Iranian forces and allied militants in Iraq, Syria and Yemen over the weekend. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the U.S. will take additional, "further action" after the latest weekend strikes. "The heightened tension will undoubtedly entail renewed Houthi hostilities in the Red Sea ensuring persistent re-routing of oil traffic around the Cape of Good Hope," Varga wrote.

Persons: Brent, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Jordan, Jake Sullivan, Tamas Varga, Varga, Good Hope Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, The West Texas Intermediate, Iranian, White, National Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, The, Egypt, Saudi, U.S, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Iran, Good

☆ Middle East Crisis Israel Awaits Hamas Response to Cease-Fire Plan as Blinken Returns to Mideast
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

A broadcaster affiliated with Hamas, Al-Aqsa, reported on Sunday that Hamas was still holding consultations on the proposal, a week after it was formulated. Leaders of the group had previously signaled that substantial gaps remained between the two sides, even as representatives from the United States, Egypt and Qatar sought common ground. Mr. Blinken, who was set to visit Saudi Arabia first, is hoping to advance talks on a series of interlocking deals to end the war in Gaza, and a deal for a hostage release will be central to that effort. Other Iran-backed militants have launched attacks against U.S. bases in the region, including one recently that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan. Top U.S. national security officials said on Sunday that further retaliation against Iran-backed militias was still planned.

Persons: Israel, Antony J, Blinken, Jake Sullivan, CBS’s, ”, “ We’re, Mr, Sullivan, Jordan, “, NBC’s “ Organizations: Hamas, U.S, United, Iranian, Top U.S, Press Locations: Gaza, Al, United States, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, court, Israel, East, Lebanon, Yemen, Suez, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Iraq

☆ Israel's Netanyahu Cautious on Hostage Deal Amid Coalition Rifts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday Israel was not ready to accept a deal at any price to release hostages held by Hamas amid rifts in his coalition over a U.S. push to get more aid into Gaza. "The efforts to free the hostages are continuing at all times," Netanyahu said in comments ahead of a cabinet meeting that were released to the media. "As I also emphasized in the Security Cabinet – we will not agree to every deal, and not at any price." War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 Images"If Trump was in power, the U.S. conduct would be completely different," he said. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States would continue trying to get more aid into Gaza, which is facing an acute humanitarian crisis.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Sunday Israel, Netanyahu, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Joe Biden, Israel's, Biden, Ben, Donald Trump, Trump, Antony Blinken, Gantz, Jake Sullivan, James Mackenzie, Giles Elgood Organizations: Sunday, National, Wall Street, U.S, House, Gaza, CBS Locations: JERUSALEM, U.S, Gaza, Israel, United States

☆ Gaza Humanitarian Issues Will Be a Top Blinken Priority, White House's Sullivan Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Humanitarian issues in Gaza will be a top priority for U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his current trip to the region, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday. Blinken was en route to the Middle East in a trip that will include stops in Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the West Bank this week. A top priority for Blinken on this trip will be to get humanitarian help for Gaza Palestinians who are in dire straits after months of military response from Israel to the deadly Oct. 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas. The United States believes it is vital to secure a deal to release the remaining hostages Hamas took during its attack, including American hostages, and an accompanying humanitarian pause, Sullivan said. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 Images"This is in the national security interest of the United States.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Blinken, Sullivan, Doina Chiacu, Louise Heavens, Will Dunham Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, House, West Bank, CBS Locations: Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, States, United States

☆ Senate releases $118 billion aid proposal for Israel, Ukraine, border security
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Senators on Sunday released the details of a $118.2 billion aid proposal for Ukraine, Israel and the southern U.S. border, after months of painstaking, closed-door negotiations. The publication of the bill marks a small victory for Senate negotiators who have gone back and forth for months on how to fund border security and whether to continue supporting Ukraine. But just as soon as the Senate back-patting is over, the proposal will face its next major battle: House Republicans. Republican lawmakers have been preparing to greet the Senate bill with hostility. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Saturday announced a House proposal that would fund Israel alone, a blatant attempt to preempt the Senate's broader foreign aid bill.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, Israel, Johnson, Jake Sullivan, Donald Trump, NBC's, Trump, Schumer, Biden, we've, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: Sunday, Republicans, Republican, Saturday, America, Press, Biden Locations: Ukraine, Israel, U.S

☆ US Plans More Strikes in Middle East Against Iran-Backed Groups
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States plans to undertake further strikes after the killing of three U.S. troops by Iranian-backed militias last weekend, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday. "We intend to take additional strikes, and additional action, to continue to send a clear message that the United States will respond when our forces are attacked, when our people are killed," he told NBC’s "Meet the Press" program. The United States and Britain launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, in the second day of major U.S. operations against Iran-linked groups following a deadly attack that killed three American troops in Jordan last weekend. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 Images"What happened on Friday was the beginning, not the end, of our response, and there will be more steps - some seen, some perhaps unseen," Sullivan told CBS' "Face the Nation" program. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Louise Heavens and Lisa Shumaker)

Persons: Jake Sullivan, NBC’s, Sullivan, Doina Chiacu, Arshad Mohammed, Louise Heavens, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: WASHINGTON, United, White, National, Press, Britain, Pentagon, U.S, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, CBS Locations: United States, Iranian, Yemen, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, Tehran

☆ Stock futures are little changed ahead of busy week of corporate earnings: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on January 31, 2024 in New York City. Stock futures were flat on Sunday evening as Wall Street looks to build on another positive week. Futures tied to the S&P 500 dipped less than 0.1%. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial average ticked down 17 points, or less than 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.1%. This week has another full slate of earnings, including McDonald's on Monday and Ford on Tuesday.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Tony Pasquariello, Goldman Sachs, Jake Sullivan Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Stock, Dow, Nasdaq, Microsoft, Meta, Goldman, Ford, Tuesday, Traders, NBC Locations: New York City, U.S, Iraq, Syria, Iran

☆ Sullivan vows ‘further action’ after US carries out retaliatory strikes on Iranian-linked militia targets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The US will take “further action” after conducting major airstrikes over the weekend against Iranian-backed militias who have carried out attacks on US troops in the Middle East, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday. On Friday, the US hit 85 targets across seven locations in Iraq and Syria. The US strikes killed at least 16 people in Iraq, including civilians, and injured 25 others, the Iraqi government said Friday. The attacks hit areas close to the border with Syria and targeted facilities used by Iranian-linked al Hashd al Shabi — or Popular Mobilization Units — in the Iraqi city of Al-Qaim, Iraqi officials said. The next day, the US and UK conducted strikes on at least 30 Houthi targets in Yemen from air and surface platforms, including fighter jets, with the support of several other countries.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, “, ” Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, “ I’m, ”, Biden Organizations: CNN, Union, US Locations: East, “ State, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Iraqi, Al, Yemen

☆ U.S. intends to take 'additional strikes' against Iran-backed groups, national security advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan answers questions during the daily briefing at the White House on November 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. "We intend to take additional strikes and additional action to continue to send a clear message that the United States will respond when our forces are attacked or our people are killed." "What I will say is that the president is determined to respond forcefully to attacks on our people. A day after those strikes, the U.S. and Britain led attacks against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen, in a second effort to further destabilize Iran-backed groups. When asked how worried he is that Iranian-backed forces could again retaliate against U.S. forces, Sullivan responded: "That's always a risk...if we see more attacks, you'll see more responses."

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, we've, I'm, Kristen Welker's, Biden Organizations: National, White House, NBC, Press, U.S ., Revolutionary Guard, U.S, CBS Locations: Washington , DC, United States, Iran, U.S, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Red, Israel, Iranian

☆ US destroyed or damaged 84 of 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, officials say; no indications of Iranian casualties
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Oren Liebermann | Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US destroyed or damaged 84 out of 85 targets in its sweeping series of airstrikes on Friday in Syria and Iraq, according to two US defense officials, with no indications of Iranian casualties. All but one of the 85 targets were “destroyed or functionally damaged,” the officials said, citing a preliminary battlefield damage assessment. In Iraq, the US targeted al-Qaim and Akashat near the border with Syria. President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes, far larger than previous US operations in Iraq or Syria, were only the start of the US response. The attack consisted of two rockets launched against the site, with no injuries or damage reported.

Persons: Deir, Douglas Sims, ”, Biden, Sims, Joe Biden, Lloyd Austin, Jake Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Joint Staff, Defense, Union, US Locations: Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Iran, Akashat, al, Gen, “ State

☆ Biden Orders Punitive Sanctions on 4 Israelis Accused in West Bank Attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Mr. Biden authorized the sanctions with an executive order that goes further than a directive issued in December by the State Department, which imposed visa bans on dozens of Israeli settlers who have committed acts of violence in the West Bank. They also will be prevented from traveling to the United States or engaging in any commerce with people in the United States. For Mr. Biden, the order served a dual purpose: It was a sharp diplomatic notice to Israel’s government at a time when the United States is pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for restraint. American officials fear a recent surge in attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank could set off even wider violence, making an already combustible situation worse. But there are also deep tensions in the West Bank, a much larger area that Israel has occupied since 1967.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Jake Sullivan Organizations: West Bank, Arab, State Department, Hamas Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, East

☆ US sees signs Iran is worried about escalating proxy attacks amid heightened tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Officials cautioned that there is no sense that Tehran’s growing wariness is likely to change its broader strategy of supporting proxy attacks on US and Western targets — although it could signal adjustments around the margins. But officials do believe that Iran is pursuing a calibrated approach to the conflict that is designed to avoid sparking all-out war. But some current and former US officials are skeptical that Iran will substantively change its tactics. ‘Varying degress of loyalty’The escalations also underscore the varying degrees of control that Iran actually has over its proxy groups. Among the groups, Iran has the least amount of operational control over the Houthis in Yemen, multiple officials told CNN.

Persons: Biden, Bill Burns, Norm Roule, Roule, “, Fadel, Ahmad Al, Jonathan Lord, ”, ” Lord, Israel “, Hossein, Mohammed Hamoud, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Iran ”, we’re Organizations: Militant, Iranian, CNN, White, CIA, Foreign Affairs, Getty, Middle East Security, Center, New, US Navy, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, US, Anadolu Agency, Command, UN, Chinese Foreign, White House Locations: Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, United States, Tehran, China, India, Gaza, Europe, Baghdad, AFP, New American, Israel, Africa, Beijing, Bani, Sanaa, Red, Somalia, Bangkok, “ Beijing

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