THE NEW YORK TIMES: A proposal making its way through Congress would integrate the U.S. and Israeli defense and intelligence apparatuses more tightly. Some worry that it is a bad idea.
For decades, the United States has supported Israel’s security by providing billions of dollars a year in military assistance and by working with its close partner on intelligence, missile defense and weapons development.
Now, with U.S. political support for sending military funding to Israel dropping off sharply, Congress is considering phasing out the financial commitment and instead undertaking a far more integrated defense and technology partnership built around legally mandated defense industrial cooperation between the two nations.
Both the House and Senate have included such a proposal in the annual defense policy bill, laying the groundwork for melding U.S. and Israeli defense and intelligence capabilities in profound ways that some critics find alarming.
President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel are pushing for the shift, which comes as lawmakers on the right and left have grown increasingly hostile to sending taxpayer dollars to Israel’s military.
Supporters argue the move would benefit the United States, allowing it to capitalize on Israel’s defense and intelligence innovations. They say it would elevate the U.S.-Israel relationship from one of donor and recipient to a strategic partnership.
But some lawmakers fear that such deep ties could blur the lines between supporting an ally and effectively allowing Israel’s military to become intertwined with the Pentagon in ways that could be dangerous and difficult to unwind. » | Robert Jimison | Reporting from the Capitol | Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Showing posts with label Benjamin Netanyahu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benjamin Netanyahu. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 05, 2026
Saturday, August 01, 2026
'Whether Netanyahu Wants It or Not,' War on Lebanon 'Will Have to End,' Marandi Affirms
Friday, July 31, 2026
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu Plays the Victim in Vomit-inducing Fox News Segment
Very strong language alert!
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu Is a War Criminal
July 22, 2026 | The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for a reason. He should be arrested and stand trial.
My administration examined every legal avenue available to determine whether New York City could execute that warrant. The law is clear: we do not have that authority. The federal government does. So we are calling on the United States to uphold international law, cooperate with the ICC, apprehend Benjamin Netanyahu and transfer him to The Hague to face justice.
We cannot end this genocide on our own. But we can use every tool available to defend humanity and uphold justice. That is the responsibility of this city. And it is my commitment as mayor.
Related article here.
My administration examined every legal avenue available to determine whether New York City could execute that warrant. The law is clear: we do not have that authority. The federal government does. So we are calling on the United States to uphold international law, cooperate with the ICC, apprehend Benjamin Netanyahu and transfer him to The Hague to face justice.
We cannot end this genocide on our own. But we can use every tool available to defend humanity and uphold justice. That is the responsibility of this city. And it is my commitment as mayor.
Related article here.
Mamdani Calls Netanyahu a ‘War Criminal’ and Calls on U.S. to Arrest Him
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Mayor Zohran Mamdani challenged the United States to execute an international arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, which New York itself cannot do.
This screenshot is from this NYT article. | Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that New York cannot arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, but the United States should. Credit: Dave Sanders for The New York Times
Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday night challenged the federal government to execute an international arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, calling him a “war criminal” and “the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people” in a striking video statement.
The mayor said the city Law Department explored whether the New York Police Department could arrest the Israeli prime minister during his expected visit to the city in September but that the city did not have “independent legal authority” to do so.
The mayor’s announcement came days after he told Lulu Garcia-Navarro last week on “The Interview,” a New York Times show, that he had been in “active conversation” with the city’s lawyers about executing a warrant issued for Mr. Netanyahu in 2024 by the International Criminal Court.
On Tuesday, Mr. Mamdani said in the video that those conversations had led his administration to determine that it did “not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.”
Seated between the flags of the United States and New York City, Mr. Mamdani looked directly into the camera and solemnly told New Yorkers that Israel’s prime minister had no place visiting New York.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” Mr. Mamdani said. “While we cannot end the genocide on our own, we can decide whether our silence will become another weapon, and we can examine every tool we have to defend the humanity and dignity of all people.” » | Liam Stack | Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Zohran Mamdani is a hero. A man of principle. It is refreshing to hear a politician speak with such clarity and moral authority. New Yorkers are indeed blessed to have a mayor like Zohran. — © Mark Alexander
Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday night challenged the federal government to execute an international arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, calling him a “war criminal” and “the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people” in a striking video statement.
The mayor said the city Law Department explored whether the New York Police Department could arrest the Israeli prime minister during his expected visit to the city in September but that the city did not have “independent legal authority” to do so.
The mayor’s announcement came days after he told Lulu Garcia-Navarro last week on “The Interview,” a New York Times show, that he had been in “active conversation” with the city’s lawyers about executing a warrant issued for Mr. Netanyahu in 2024 by the International Criminal Court.
On Tuesday, Mr. Mamdani said in the video that those conversations had led his administration to determine that it did “not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.”
Seated between the flags of the United States and New York City, Mr. Mamdani looked directly into the camera and solemnly told New Yorkers that Israel’s prime minister had no place visiting New York.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” Mr. Mamdani said. “While we cannot end the genocide on our own, we can decide whether our silence will become another weapon, and we can examine every tool we have to defend the humanity and dignity of all people.” » | Liam Stack | Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Zohran Mamdani is a hero. A man of principle. It is refreshing to hear a politician speak with such clarity and moral authority. New Yorkers are indeed blessed to have a mayor like Zohran. — © Mark Alexander
Wednesday, July 08, 2026
Friday, July 03, 2026
Israel's 'Kill First' Strategy Is Now Aimed at Turkey | The David Hearst Podcast
Jul 2, 2026 | David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, says that Donald Trump has signed two contradictory agreements to end his war on Iran. One promises an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, while the other gives Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon indefinite leave to remain.
Hearst says the Lebanon framework weakens Lebanese sovereignty, creates a military coordination group run from Washington, and obliges the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah, which many in Lebanon see as the only credible deterrent against Israeli attack.
He says that Lebanon has also granted immunity to Israeli troops and generals for war crimes committed during the invasion. He says that the contradiction reflects a tug of war inside the US administration. The Iran deal reflects the thinking of Vice President JD Vance, who opposed regime change in Tehran, while the Lebanon deal bears the imprint of Marco Rubio, who remains committed to that project.
Hearst argues that Israel’s failure to dictate terms to Iran has pushed it to regain power in Lebanon and Syria. But he says Israel is already turning its attention to Turkey, now presenting it as the “new Iran” and warning of a new Sunni axis involving Turkey, Syria and Qatar.
He concludes that Israel means what it says when Netanyahu vows to change the Middle East forever. The main battle line is now shifting to Lebanon and Syria, and hard power will be needed to stop Israel’s strategy of “kill them first”.
Hearst says the Lebanon framework weakens Lebanese sovereignty, creates a military coordination group run from Washington, and obliges the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah, which many in Lebanon see as the only credible deterrent against Israeli attack.
He says that Lebanon has also granted immunity to Israeli troops and generals for war crimes committed during the invasion. He says that the contradiction reflects a tug of war inside the US administration. The Iran deal reflects the thinking of Vice President JD Vance, who opposed regime change in Tehran, while the Lebanon deal bears the imprint of Marco Rubio, who remains committed to that project.
Hearst argues that Israel’s failure to dictate terms to Iran has pushed it to regain power in Lebanon and Syria. But he says Israel is already turning its attention to Turkey, now presenting it as the “new Iran” and warning of a new Sunni axis involving Turkey, Syria and Qatar.
He concludes that Israel means what it says when Netanyahu vows to change the Middle East forever. The main battle line is now shifting to Lebanon and Syria, and hard power will be needed to stop Israel’s strategy of “kill them first”.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026
US-Iran Agreement Leaves Israelis 'in Profound State of Shock' • FRANCE 24 English
Tuesday, June 09, 2026
Trump Tells BBC: “If I Tell Netanyahu to Do Something, He Does It” | BBC News
Jun 8, 2026 | The US President Donald Trump has told the BBC that if he tells Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to do something, he does it”.
The president was speaking to the BBC’s North America Editor Sarah Smith in a telephone interview, following the recent new round of hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Israel had launched attacks on Iran’s capital Tehran on Sunday, in apparent defiance of a demand from the White House to comply with the fragile ceasefire in force since April. Israel said the action was in retaliation for attacks by the Iranian backed Hezbollah militia group in Southern Lebanon. Iran responded to the airstrikes by firing multiple missiles at Israel, the first such attack since April.
Hours before Israel launched its attacks, President Trump had declared “I call the shots” and had instructed Benjamin Netanyahu to comply with the ceasefire. The President told the BBC that Israel had already launched its attacks, at the time when he had requested that Israel exercise restraint.
Donald Trump said he had persuaded Mr Netanyahu to return to the ceasefire, telling him: “We have to use sense. We’re very close to signing a very good deal” with Iran.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith, Wyre Davies and Jeremy Bowen.
The president was speaking to the BBC’s North America Editor Sarah Smith in a telephone interview, following the recent new round of hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Israel had launched attacks on Iran’s capital Tehran on Sunday, in apparent defiance of a demand from the White House to comply with the fragile ceasefire in force since April. Israel said the action was in retaliation for attacks by the Iranian backed Hezbollah militia group in Southern Lebanon. Iran responded to the airstrikes by firing multiple missiles at Israel, the first such attack since April.
Hours before Israel launched its attacks, President Trump had declared “I call the shots” and had instructed Benjamin Netanyahu to comply with the ceasefire. The President told the BBC that Israel had already launched its attacks, at the time when he had requested that Israel exercise restraint.
Donald Trump said he had persuaded Mr Netanyahu to return to the ceasefire, telling him: “We have to use sense. We’re very close to signing a very good deal” with Iran.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith, Wyre Davies and Jeremy Bowen.
Wednesday, June 03, 2026
Ana Kasparian Is Fired Up
I have always been pro-Israel, especially because of how the Jews suffered in the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, and how they have been persecuted throughout the ages. However, I am absolutely shocked that a people with such awful experience of pain and hardship are seemingly incapable of mercy and compassion for the people they now themselves persecute. This is utterly incomprehensible to me. — © Mark Alexander
Trump Reportedly Erupts at Netanyahu over Lebanon Attacks | DW News
Friday, April 24, 2026
A Watershed Moment? | John Mearsheimer and Sir Max Hastings
Apr 24 2026 | Historians reserve the term “watershed” for those rare moments when events do not merely shock the established order but upend it. Think of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which hastened the end of the Cold War and ushered in an era of American unipolarity. Or the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US, which ignited the global war on terror and culminated in the long, costly entanglements of the so-called forever wars.
In each case, those living through the moment could sense they were witnessing events whose consequences would extend far beyond the immediate crisis. The question now is whether the Iran war belongs in that category. On the world stage, many allies and partners increasingly worry that the United States as a friend is shrinking with extraordinary rapidity. If this is true, what does this mean for international affairs after the Iran war?
Guests are Sir Max Hastings, the British military historian, columnist and former newspaper editor, and John Mearsheimer, professor of political science from the University of Chicago.
To put it succinctly, Trump is a chump who is also off his chump! — © Mark Alexander
In each case, those living through the moment could sense they were witnessing events whose consequences would extend far beyond the immediate crisis. The question now is whether the Iran war belongs in that category. On the world stage, many allies and partners increasingly worry that the United States as a friend is shrinking with extraordinary rapidity. If this is true, what does this mean for international affairs after the Iran war?
Guests are Sir Max Hastings, the British military historian, columnist and former newspaper editor, and John Mearsheimer, professor of political science from the University of Chicago.
To put it succinctly, Trump is a chump who is also off his chump! — © Mark Alexander
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Hungary's Magyar Says He Would Carry Out ICC Warrant against Netanyahu
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026
Bernie Sanders - Senate Showdown: Should the US Keep Funding Israel’s War?
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Michael Lambert: Trump's Puppet Master Exposed: The Netanyahu Iran War Plan
Netanyahu's wet dream: the destruction of Iran! — © Mark Alexander
Thursday, April 02, 2026
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
‘Iran Won’t Lose War’: Jeffrey Sachs Predicts ‘Doom’ for Israel, US | Exposes Trump-Bibi Plot
Mar 31, 2026 | In this explosive interview, economist Jeffrey Sachs delivers a stark warning on the escalating Iran war, claiming we could be “days or weeks away” from a collapse of the global energy supply.
Calling Donald Trump a 'fool', Sachs argues that Iran is not going to surrender as Trump imagines, calling the conflict a major strategic miscalculation by the United States and Benjamin Netanyahu. He also frames the war as part of a larger geopolitical power struggle, with the US seeking dominance over the Gulf and Iran resisting falling in line, unlike other regional players.
Perhaps most crucially, Sachs says only major global powers like India, Russia, and China can step in to de-escalate the situation before the crisis spirals further.
Calling Donald Trump a 'fool', Sachs argues that Iran is not going to surrender as Trump imagines, calling the conflict a major strategic miscalculation by the United States and Benjamin Netanyahu. He also frames the war as part of a larger geopolitical power struggle, with the US seeking dominance over the Gulf and Iran resisting falling in line, unlike other regional players.
Perhaps most crucially, Sachs says only major global powers like India, Russia, and China can step in to de-escalate the situation before the crisis spirals further.
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