The cost of a pier under construction by the US military off the Gaza coast has reportedly ballooned off the charts. Building the floating metal construction will come with a price tag of around $320 million, according to a US defense official and an insider quoted by Reuters.
The construction, ostensibly to increase the flow of aid to the besieged territory, was announced by the Biden administration in March. The Pentagon was tight-lipped about the official cost estimates of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system. However, insiders claim it has roughly doubled since.
The US Defense Department did offer a glimpse of the scale of the project, which involves around 1,000 US Army and Navy personnel.
Plans show aid will be delivered to the two-lane, 550-meter causeway off the Gaza coast by commercial ships.
Some US Congressmen have questioned whether the costly endeavor is worthwhile, pointing out that taxpayers were “on the hook.” Concerns were also voiced over the level of risk for troops involved.
"The cost has not just risen. It has exploded… This dangerous effort with marginal benefit will now cost the American taxpayers at least $320 million to operate for only 90 days,” said Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Democratic-led Senate Armed Services Committee.
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Breakthrough at Semyonovka gives Russia chance to speed up crumbling of Ukrainian defensive lines
“The capture of Semyonovka is a great victory for Battlegroup Center,” veteran Russian military observer Evgeny Mikhailov told Sputnik, explaining that the operation to liberate the DPR settlement not only opens up opportunities to encircle Ukrainian forces across a broad front, but to build on momentum to force enemy lines to crumble.
Based on the pace of the Russian advance, Mikhailov says it’s difficult to guess where Ukraine’s defensive lines will end up.
“They wanted, but did not have the time to build up a decent line of defense [past Avdeyevka], and did not expect such a quick offensive and breakthrough by the Russian Army. Berdichi will fall, and everything else will start crumbling…I think it’s unlikely that they will have the time to properly concentrate their forces in this direction”, he added.
The expert noted that “elite” Ukrainian units sent to the area won’t stop Russian forces: “we have an advantage in firepower, a tactical advantage, and the fighting spirit of our units is much higher.”
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“The capture of Semyonovka is a great victory for Battlegroup Center,” veteran Russian military observer Evgeny Mikhailov told Sputnik, explaining that the operation to liberate the DPR settlement not only opens up opportunities to encircle Ukrainian forces across a broad front, but to build on momentum to force enemy lines to crumble.
“Beyond this, great prospects are opening up. Firstly, the encirclement of Ukrainian forces in the Berdichi area. From there the road opens, and an opportunity appears to encircle and defeat the Ukrainian troops that have accumulated in large concentrations in the areas of Selidovo and Pokrovsk. And further on is the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration,” Mikhailov said.
Based on the pace of the Russian advance, Mikhailov says it’s difficult to guess where Ukraine’s defensive lines will end up.
“They wanted, but did not have the time to build up a decent line of defense [past Avdeyevka], and did not expect such a quick offensive and breakthrough by the Russian Army. Berdichi will fall, and everything else will start crumbling…I think it’s unlikely that they will have the time to properly concentrate their forces in this direction”, he added.
The expert noted that “elite” Ukrainian units sent to the area won’t stop Russian forces: “we have an advantage in firepower, a tactical advantage, and the fighting spirit of our units is much higher.”
“Accordingly, I doubt that any line of defense can be created until we reach areas with powerful defensive structures. This includes near Slavyansk and near Kramatorsk. [Otherwise], what already exists elsewhere will of course be able to hold back our forces in some areas, but not very powerfully. That is, we are seeing that the front is crumbling, and I think it makes no sense to talk about a serious line of defense,” Mikhailov said.
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With walls closing in around him, Netanyahu may start ‘even larger regional war’
The high-stakes ICC threat to issue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and his inner circle leave the Israeli leader between a rock and a hard place, and he may try to climb out of his predicament by starting a war with Iran, Tel Aviv-based international affairs expert Dr. Simon Tsipis warns.
Characterizing the ICC threat as an attempt by the West to pressure Tel Aviv into making a deal with Hamas to end the Gaza war, and ultimately agree to the creation of a Palestinian state, Tsipis told Sputnik that can’t happen without Netanyahu losing power.
If Netanyahu doesn’t make a deal, the ICC will go ahead with its arrest warrants, the operation in Raffah will begin, and Israel will face internal uprisings from the political left flank, including “more violent demonstrations, and demands for Netanyahu to resign,” the observer said.
That puts Netanyahu in a “very difficult, one might say hopeless situation,” Tsipis stressed:
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The high-stakes ICC threat to issue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and his inner circle leave the Israeli leader between a rock and a hard place, and he may try to climb out of his predicament by starting a war with Iran, Tel Aviv-based international affairs expert Dr. Simon Tsipis warns.
Characterizing the ICC threat as an attempt by the West to pressure Tel Aviv into making a deal with Hamas to end the Gaza war, and ultimately agree to the creation of a Palestinian state, Tsipis told Sputnik that can’t happen without Netanyahu losing power.
“A deal with Hamas would mean Israel’s defeat in the war with Hamas, and the cancellation of the operation in Raffah, and an uprising of the right-wing camp against Netanyahu, the exit of right-wing politicians and ministers from the government, its collapse, and new elections,” the academic said.
If Netanyahu doesn’t make a deal, the ICC will go ahead with its arrest warrants, the operation in Raffah will begin, and Israel will face internal uprisings from the political left flank, including “more violent demonstrations, and demands for Netanyahu to resign,” the observer said.
That puts Netanyahu in a “very difficult, one might say hopeless situation,” Tsipis stressed:
“In this context, the situation becomes even more dangerous, since his only chance to survive politically in this fight and under this pressure is to unleash an even larger regional war. This cannot be ruled out, since Israeli provocations toward Iran under Netanyahu’s leadership are continuing. It’s quite possible that a third outcome in this situation may occur: provocations against Iran and the beginning of a large-scale regional war with Iran. This is the only thing that can save Netanyahu, allow him to remain in power, escape responsibility and prevent the collapse of the government.”
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🔺Breakthrough at Semyonovka gives Russia chance to speed up crumbling of Ukrainian defensive lines
🔺With walls closing in around him, Netanyahu may start ‘even larger regional war’
🔺Biden's brother foreign connections revealed in his bankruptcy case
🔺Cost of Gaza aid pier built by US military skyrockets by millions – report
🔺Sanctions drive China’s aviation towards self-reliance
🔺Ukraine minister peddles 'gender inclusivity' to argue for using women in demining
🔺Not very united: NATO drills in Latvia against Russia-like mock enemy faced ‘comms & disparate arms kinks’
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🔺With walls closing in around him, Netanyahu may start ‘even larger regional war’
🔺Biden's brother foreign connections revealed in his bankruptcy case
🔺Cost of Gaza aid pier built by US military skyrockets by millions – report
🔺Sanctions drive China’s aviation towards self-reliance
🔺Ukraine minister peddles 'gender inclusivity' to argue for using women in demining
🔺Not very united: NATO drills in Latvia against Russia-like mock enemy faced ‘comms & disparate arms kinks’
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Sputnik International
US Congress drafting bill against International Criminal Court if warrants issued to Israeli officials US lawmakers are drafting legislation designed to retaliate against the International Criminal Court should it issue arrest warrants to senior Israeli officials…
House Speaker Johnson says Blinken affirms White House to call on International Criminal Court about Israeli officials
House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Secretary Blinken confirmed the White House's intention, during a conversation, to publicly urge the ICC against issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Secretary Blinken confirmed the White House's intention, during a conversation, to publicly urge the ICC against issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials.
"I spoke, within the last hour, to Secretary Blinken about this issue, and he confirmed that the position of the White House is our position as well. I'm glad that they are affirming that, and I suspect they will do that publicly later today, they are calling for the ICC to stand down," Johnson said during a press briefing.
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US lawmakers’ attempts to shield Netanyahu tied to ‘very powerful’ Israeli lobby in Washington
Threats by Congress to create legislation to “retaliate” to the International Criminal Court if it proceeds with plans to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his government are tied to the incredible sway the Israeli lobby has in the US political establishment, Tel Aviv-based international affairs expert Dr. Simon Tsipis says.
Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday called the potential ICC arrest warrants targeting Israeli officials illegitimate and “disgraceful,” saying “such a lawless action by the ICC would directly undermine US national security interests,” and lead to the possibility of the Brussels-based court targeting US officials, diplomats and military personnel in the future.
Separately on Monday, Axios reported that lawmakers from both parties were working on legislation that would allow Washington to “retaliate” to the ICC with sanctions should it proceed with the warrants.
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Threats by Congress to create legislation to “retaliate” to the International Criminal Court if it proceeds with plans to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his government are tied to the incredible sway the Israeli lobby has in the US political establishment, Tel Aviv-based international affairs expert Dr. Simon Tsipis says.
“Actually, most politicians in the current administration are tied, very tightly tied, to the Jewish lobby, and the Jewish lobby has a number of leavers to pressure US politicians. Therefore, I would say that for the United States, for President Biden, concern for Americans and for America and concern for Israel are roughly equal. Israel has such powerful ability to pressure and influence the United States that, in fact, American leaders worry about Israel as they would about Americans,” Tsipis told Sputnik.
Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday called the potential ICC arrest warrants targeting Israeli officials illegitimate and “disgraceful,” saying “such a lawless action by the ICC would directly undermine US national security interests,” and lead to the possibility of the Brussels-based court targeting US officials, diplomats and military personnel in the future.
Separately on Monday, Axios reported that lawmakers from both parties were working on legislation that would allow Washington to “retaliate” to the ICC with sanctions should it proceed with the warrants.
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Special forces in the Georgian capital Tbilisi push protesters against the law on foreign agents out of the city's central avenue
The Georgian riot police earlier used pepper spray several times against people who are protesting against a controversial bill on foreign agents in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
The situation is tense in the streets around the parliament building with heavy riot police presence. Law enforcement officers have used pepper spray after the protesters put garbage cans in front of the police cordon.
No mass arrests have been reported so far, but some people have been detained. Water cannons have arrived at the protest site.
Protests erupted in Tbilisi in mid-April as the parliament prepared to vote on the bill that sought to limit foreign agent influence on the Caucasus nation.
The bill was initially submitted to parliament in February 2023, but was withdrawn the following month amid a wave of protests and pressure from Western countries. After revision, the draft law replaced the term "foreign influence agent" with an "organization promoting the interests of a foreign power," while the rest of the content remained the same.
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The Georgian riot police earlier used pepper spray several times against people who are protesting against a controversial bill on foreign agents in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
The situation is tense in the streets around the parliament building with heavy riot police presence. Law enforcement officers have used pepper spray after the protesters put garbage cans in front of the police cordon.
No mass arrests have been reported so far, but some people have been detained. Water cannons have arrived at the protest site.
Protests erupted in Tbilisi in mid-April as the parliament prepared to vote on the bill that sought to limit foreign agent influence on the Caucasus nation.
The bill was initially submitted to parliament in February 2023, but was withdrawn the following month amid a wave of protests and pressure from Western countries. After revision, the draft law replaced the term "foreign influence agent" with an "organization promoting the interests of a foreign power," while the rest of the content remained the same.
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Sputnik International
Special forces in the Georgian capital Tbilisi push protesters against the law on foreign agents out of the city's central avenue The Georgian riot police earlier used pepper spray several times against people who are protesting against a controversial bill…
Special forces in Tbilisi have used water cannons against protesters on Rustaveli Avenue and are using pepper spray again, Sputnik's correspondent reports.
Meanwhile, local media reported that special forces detained opposition MP Aleko Elisashvili.
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Meanwhile, local media reported that special forces detained opposition MP Aleko Elisashvili.
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US Air Force Secretary says they face pilot shortage
US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said that they face a pilot shortage and are working to address the situation.
Kendall noted that the greatest obstacle to higher pilot production is the pipeline, particularly the availability of training aircraft, which is very thin at present.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin added that they are trying to increase bonuses in order to help with pilot retention in the Air Force.
Allvin also said another effective option for pilot retention is allowing airmen to serve as commercial pilots while also serving in the Air Force Reserve.
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US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said that they face a pilot shortage and are working to address the situation.
"We do have a shortage of pilots and we've been working to reduce that," Kendall said during a congressional hearing.
Kendall noted that the greatest obstacle to higher pilot production is the pipeline, particularly the availability of training aircraft, which is very thin at present.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin added that they are trying to increase bonuses in order to help with pilot retention in the Air Force.
Allvin also said another effective option for pilot retention is allowing airmen to serve as commercial pilots while also serving in the Air Force Reserve.
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More than 15 people have been detained by Georgia's law enforcement at a demonstration against a bill on foreign agents in Tbilisi, Georgian broadcaster Mtavari Arxi reported.
The Georgian Health Ministry said in a statement that three law enforcement officers have been injured and taken to hospitals during the demonstration.
Protesters are building barricades out of garbage bins and sun umbrellas about 500 meters (1640 feet) from the Georgian Parliament building.
The correspondent reported that sounds of smoke grenades were heard, forcing protesters who were on Rustaveli Avenue to scatter.
Levan Khabeishvili, the leader of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's opposition party United National Movement, has been detained at a demonstration against a bill on foreign agents in central Tbilisi, Georgian broadcaster Formula News reported.
The politician has been reportedly taken to a hospital.
Georgian broadcaster Mtavari Arxi reported that Georgia's law enforcement has also detained Aleko Elisashvili, the chairman of the Citizens political party, immediately after his appearance at the demonstration, but he was later released and forced out of the epicenter of the demonstration.
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The Georgian Health Ministry said in a statement that three law enforcement officers have been injured and taken to hospitals during the demonstration.
"With the aim of informing the public, we clarify that a sufficient number of ambulances have been mobilized on the spot, medical personnel are providing citizens with all necessary medical services. Until now, three law enforcers have been taken to hospitals," the statement read.
Protesters are building barricades out of garbage bins and sun umbrellas about 500 meters (1640 feet) from the Georgian Parliament building.
The correspondent reported that sounds of smoke grenades were heard, forcing protesters who were on Rustaveli Avenue to scatter.
Levan Khabeishvili, the leader of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's opposition party United National Movement, has been detained at a demonstration against a bill on foreign agents in central Tbilisi, Georgian broadcaster Formula News reported.
The politician has been reportedly taken to a hospital.
Georgian broadcaster Mtavari Arxi reported that Georgia's law enforcement has also detained Aleko Elisashvili, the chairman of the Citizens political party, immediately after his appearance at the demonstration, but he was later released and forced out of the epicenter of the demonstration.
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The US Senate has approved House-passed legislation to ban US imports of Russian uranium.
The Senate passed the bill in an unanimous vote on Tuesday night, sending it to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.
The Senate passed the bill in an unanimous vote on Tuesday night, sending it to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.
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Ex-US diplomat says State Dept. staff fearful to express their views on Gaza
Many State Department staffers are fearful to openly express views on Gaza which are contrary to the official position of the Biden administration, The Washington Post reported, citing former diplomat Hala Rharrit.
Earlier in April, Rharrit resigned from the position of Arabic Language Spokesperson for the State Department and the Dubai Regional Media Hub’s Deputy Director in protest of the US policy in Gaza and support for limitless supply of arms to Israel, according to the State Department. She joined the States Department in 2006 as a political officer.
In Hala’s view, inside today’s State Department, diplomats are afraid to express their viewpoints contrary to official policy despite Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that welcomes conflicting views and reads the cables that come through the department’s official dissent channel, the report said.
According to Rharrit, she had to refuse several interviews with Arab media outlets about Gaza because she found official talking points to be inflammatory.
Rharrit is not the first US diplomat who resigned in protest of the Biden administration’s policy in Gaza. In October 2023, Josh Paul, an official who oversaw arms transfers to foreign nations, resigned in protest to continued US military assistance to Israel.
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Many State Department staffers are fearful to openly express views on Gaza which are contrary to the official position of the Biden administration, The Washington Post reported, citing former diplomat Hala Rharrit.
Earlier in April, Rharrit resigned from the position of Arabic Language Spokesperson for the State Department and the Dubai Regional Media Hub’s Deputy Director in protest of the US policy in Gaza and support for limitless supply of arms to Israel, according to the State Department. She joined the States Department in 2006 as a political officer.
In Hala’s view, inside today’s State Department, diplomats are afraid to express their viewpoints contrary to official policy despite Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that welcomes conflicting views and reads the cables that come through the department’s official dissent channel, the report said.
“People are scared to talk to each other. People don’t know how other people feel. So, they try to assess, you know, how are you feeling? People are scared to mention Gaza at work. They just want to pretend it’s not happening,” the report quoted Rharrit as saying.
According to Rharrit, she had to refuse several interviews with Arab media outlets about Gaza because she found official talking points to be inflammatory.
Rharrit is not the first US diplomat who resigned in protest of the Biden administration’s policy in Gaza. In October 2023, Josh Paul, an official who oversaw arms transfers to foreign nations, resigned in protest to continued US military assistance to Israel.
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Georgia's officers who withdrew into alley behind Parl't building in Tbilisi are leaving it, moving toward interior ministry building.
Meanwhile, some protesters are still building barricades outside the parliament building and some have left the area.
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Meanwhile, some protesters are still building barricades outside the parliament building and some have left the area.
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Joe Biden showed the world the US & NATO are paper tigers
US President Joe Biden revealed to the world that the US military is no longer the giant that woke up on December 7, 1941, but a paper tiger unable to exert the power it once held.
The attack from Iran on Israel showed the world “that US defense capabilities,” are “not there,” retired senior security policy analyst Michael Maloof told Sputnik’s The Critical Hour.
Meanwhile, the failure of NATO equipment in Ukraine has done the same.
“We saw, as with pretty much every type of tank we’ve seen in this combat that relatively cheap, $500, $1,000 a pop, Kamikaze drones can seriously damage a tank fairly easily,” Security and International relations expert Mark Sleboda told Sputnik’s Fault Lines.
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*Image is AI generated
US President Joe Biden revealed to the world that the US military is no longer the giant that woke up on December 7, 1941, but a paper tiger unable to exert the power it once held.
The attack from Iran on Israel showed the world “that US defense capabilities,” are “not there,” retired senior security policy analyst Michael Maloof told Sputnik’s The Critical Hour.
“The ability to have a strong missile defense is not there, and the Russians [also] have these hypersonic capabilities,” Maloof explained. “[Iran] did hit their targets, and they did it with hypersonics and there was no defense.”
Meanwhile, the failure of NATO equipment in Ukraine has done the same.
“We saw, as with pretty much every type of tank we’ve seen in this combat that relatively cheap, $500, $1,000 a pop, Kamikaze drones can seriously damage a tank fairly easily,” Security and International relations expert Mark Sleboda told Sputnik’s Fault Lines.
“The days of US dominance [are] over, and we're seeing this now as some 40 countries want to join BRICS and get out from under the dollar,” Maloof explained. “So, all of this is interrelated. It's all playing [out] in real-time, before our very eyes, and it's happening very rapidly.”
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*Image is AI generated
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The NYPD has set up cordons two blocks away from Columbia University, where students opposing Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip have barricaded themselves, Sputnik reports.
An iron fence has been installed. Police units in helmets with batons and plastic straps to secure hands in case of detentions have been deployed. So far, the situation has not turned to clashes.
According to some media reports, the police have already entered the university campus.
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An iron fence has been installed. Police units in helmets with batons and plastic straps to secure hands in case of detentions have been deployed. So far, the situation has not turned to clashes.
According to some media reports, the police have already entered the university campus.
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Democrats are criticizing Netanyahu to avoid ‘paying the price’ for Israel support during November’s election
In March, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for new elections to be held in Israel. A few weeks later, US President Joe Biden offered his sharpest public criticism of Netanyahu, saying “I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach.”
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“The Democrats, they know that they will pay the price during the election. So, they are trying to stay away from Netanyahu,” journalist Mohamed Gomaa told Sputnik’s Fault Lines. “On the other hand, they continue to support Israel, not Netanyahu, not the government. They speak on Israel [only].”
In March, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for new elections to be held in Israel. A few weeks later, US President Joe Biden offered his sharpest public criticism of Netanyahu, saying “I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach.”
“Anywhere there are protests against their government to stop supporting… Netanyahu, they [also] ask to stop [the] support of Israel, which,” will be difficult for those governments, Gomaa explained. “That’s why they changed their tone to criticize Netanyahu or criticize the government, [but] not Israel.”
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