After a sobering trip to #Kyiv, Secy of State Antony J. #Blinken is urging #POTUS#Biden to lift some restrictions on how Ukraine can use American arms.
“When a #police department upgrades its #guns, what happens to the old ones? A CBS #News investigation found #law enforcement agencies routinely resold or traded in their used duty #weapons, a practice that has sent thousands of guns into the hands of criminals.
In a 16-year period ending in 2022, the ATF identified more than 52,000 guns recovered from #crime scenes that were once used by police agencies. It took a federal court order for the ATF to release that data”
The #Republican-led UnitedStates House of
Representatives passed a bill on Thurs that would force President Joe #Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect #civilians during its war w/ #Hamas.
Facing Russian Advance, a Top Ukrainian General Paints a Bleak Picture
#Ukraine’s forces are stretched thin & have minimal reserves to draw on, the chief of #military#intelligence said, in addition to shortages of #weapons.
US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell sent a letter to President Biden expressing “alarm” and concern about the decision “to pause” a weapons shipment to Israel.
They also asked for clarification by the end of the week.
Biden confirmed in an interview that US munitions used by Israel have killed Palestinian civilians.
#Robot dogs armed with AI-targeting rifles undergo US Marines #SpecialOps evaluation
it's the possibility of arming them with #weapons for remote engagement that may draw the most attention. But it's not unprecedented: The US Marine Corps has also tested robotic dogs armed with rocket launchers in the past. #ai
“Israel should not launch a major ground operation in #Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering with nowhere else to go,” said a senior administration official, explaining the #US decision to pause the #weapons shipments. “We are especially focused on the end-use of the 2,000-pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of #Gaza.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/05/07/biden-delays-weapons-israel-rafah/
“…electronic parts had been manufactured in the US & Europe over the past few years. There was even a US computer chip made as recently as March 2023. This meant that North Korea had illicitly procured vital weapons components, snuck them into the country, assembled the missile, & shipped it to Russia in secret, where it had then been transported to the frontline & fired - all in a matter of months.”
"#Netanyahu will run for prime minister in the next election, and is certain he can win
The prime minister is confident his hostage deal offer will silence critics while removing troublesome far-right elements from his government..."
The International Court of Justice has refused to order #Germany to stop sending #weapons and aid to Israel, rejecting a request from #Nicaragua.
Nicaragua brought the case arguing that by providing arms and other support to Israel, Germany is failing to prevent possible genocide against Palestinians in Israel's war with #Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
So much for genocide preventation.
Once again we witness the impunity of the apartheid genocidal regime of Israel and it's global network of supporters.
Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution to urge countries to comply with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and prevent a nuclear arms race in space. Earlier this year, U.S. officials accused Moscow of developing a new satellite-destroying nuclear weapon. The resolution was drafted by Japan and the United States, who voted in favor along with 11 other members of the council. China abstained. Read more about the failed vote from Axios.
"Fears are rising for tens of thousands of civilians in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya as Israeli troops attack the city “with extreme force” and order Palestinians to immediately flee."
A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers are advocating for a risky proposition to allow Taiwan to build American-designed weapons systems in order to clear a $19 billion backlog of hardware promised to the country. Supply chain issues and work shortages have plagued the deliveries of tanks, missiles, jets and drones to Taiwan while the nation looks to counter China’s surging influence in the region. Some experts say allowing Taiwan to build the systems could leave them vulnerable to intelligence leaks to China. Politico has more on the proposal.