This week in Congress: More questions about the Afghanistan drawdown 17 hours ago
U.S. special operations service members conduct combat operations in support of Operation Resolute Support in Southeast Afghanistan in April 2019. (Sgt. Jaerett Engeseth/Army) Congress’ review of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan continues this week with a series of hearings on the topic featuring Defense and State Department officials. On Thursday, David Helvey, acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the troop drawdown. Last week, he spoke to members of the House Armed Services Committee, offering a military commitment to stand up against terrorism but few details on what that will mean in the region.
Views: Visits 30
Some United States legislators are questioning whether a $735m approved weapons sale to Israel by President Joe Biden’s administration could be used as leverage amid the continuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the Washington Post reports.
The arms sale, which Congress was notified of on May 5, a week before the current Israel-Palestinian escalation began, includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which are used to turn bombs into precision-guided missiles, according to the newspaper.
Some legislators and aides said the sale could prompt a groundswell of opposition in Congress, where criticism of the Biden administration’s support of Israel amid the deadly confrontation has become more prevalent.
Updated May 17, 2021 at 10:09 PM ET
The White House said that when President Biden talked to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, he expressed his support for a cease-fire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end.
So far, the White House had declined to call for a cease-fire publicly, urging de-escalation and stating its support for Israel s self-defense. The White House said Biden reiterated that support to Netanyahu while also encouraging Israel to ensure the protection of innocent civilians.
Calls for a cease-fire have intensified in Washington, including among Democrats in Congress who are strong supporters of Israel and even some Republicans.
Print this article
President Joe Biden should scuttle an expected arms sale to Israel unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ends operations against Palestinian targets in Gaza, according to Rep. Ilhan Omar.
“The United States should not stand idly by while crimes against humanity are being committed with our backing,” said Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who was born in Somalia and is one of the first Muslim women to serve in Congress. “We should be affirming the right of all people, regardless of their faith, to have self-determination and equal rights. That includes both Israelis and Palestinians because, yes, Palestinian lives matter.”
MARVIN RECINOS/AFP via Getty Images
Latin America has been hit hard by COVID-19, and leaders there are rushing to vaccinate their populations.
Broader competition between the US, China, and Russia is seen as influencing vaccine distribution.
Some leaders in Latin America appear to be trying to use that competition to advance their own interests.
Latin America has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and as countries there scramble to vaccinate residents, two leaders are looking to gain geopolitical leverage.
Presidents Juan Orlando Hernández of Honduras and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador have both been criticized by US officials and civil society Hernández over drug-trafficking connections and Bukele for what is seen as an ongoing power grab.