July, 2022

• 15 July

  The Media Line Is There for Day 2 of US President Joe Biden’s Visit to Israel

  

  US President Biden is halfway through a full day of meetings on his second day in Israel. He held a one-on-one meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem, followed by a meeting with other staff members. President Biden and Lapid were then joined by Indian Prime Minister Narendra …

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• 15 July

  Great-Power Competition Is Bad for Democracy

  

  Rivalry With China and Russia Reinforces the Real Causes of American Decline Democrats and Republicans alike have greeted the prospect of a long-term rivalry with China as a challenge that will bring out the best of the United States. For years, Washington has touted China as the U.S. military’s only …

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• 15 July

  Is Syrian government withdrawing from Tal Rifaat in favor of Turkey?

  

  FSA forces are carrying out military maneuvers in preparation for the battle against Kurdish forces in Tal Rifaat, while Turkey is bringing in more reinforcements. The Tal Rifaat Military Council affiliated with the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions has recently been carrying out military drills, using military vehicles and …

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• 15 July

  Iraqi prime minister sets objectives for regional summit

  

  Amid longstanding political deadlock and economic and environmental challenges, Iraqi prime minister Mustafa Kadhimi is attending the GCC +3 Summit in Saudi Arabia. Iraq announced officially today that it will participate in the GCC+3 Summit on Saturday, July 16. The summit includes the leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council …

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• 15 July

  Biden, Lapid sign Jerusalem Declaration

  

  While the document lays out a platform for continued US-Israeli cooperation, there are still signs the two are divided on diplomacy with Tehran. The press conference that followed the signing of a joint declaration on US-Israeli strategic cooperation by President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid Thursday exposed …

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• 15 July

  How to rescue and rebuild the US-Saudi relationship

  

  When he arrives in Riyadh this week, US President Joe Biden is poised to finally end the purgatory in which the US-Saudi relationship has languished since his inauguration. To many Americans, meaningful engagement with the Saudi government remains anathema given Saudi Arabia’s heavy-handed prosecution of the war in Yemen and …

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• 15 July

  US Intel: Iran Set to Supply Hundreds of Drones to Russia

  

  Iran is expected to supply Russia with “hundreds” of drones, some of which will be able to carry weapons for use in the conflict in Ukraine. Iran is also preparing to train Russian forces on operating these drones as early as July. The Iranian government is preparing to supply Russia …

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• 15 July

  US Army’s Africa-focused task force hands reins to new boss with strong French ties

  

  Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund took command Thursday of the Vicenza, Italy-based task force in charge of the Army’s efforts in Africa. Wasmund replaced Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, who led the Southern European Task Force, Africa, for the past two years. Before the Vicenza posting, Wasmund served as the deputy commander …

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• 15 July

  China rebukes Navy operation in South China Sea as US strike group enters area

  

  The U.S. Navy “seriously violated China’s sovereignty” on Wednesday by sending a destroyer past the Paracel Islands, a disputed chain in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese military command for the area. The USS Benfold steamed past the Paracels, 200 miles off China’s southern coast, on a freedom-of-navigation …

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• 15 July

  US would use force against Iran ‘as a last resort’: President Biden

  

  The US would use force “as a last resort” to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, US President Joe Biden said this week. In an interview with Channel 12 News that aired soon after he arrived in Israel on Wednesday, Biden said: “The only thing worse than Iran now …

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