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National

Whats Next

Axios What's Next

The United Auto Workers union on Saturday announced a tentative contract agreement with Stellantis that would end a six-week strike against the maker of Jeep SUVs and Ram trucks.

Why it matters: The proposed agreement, which comes days after Ford reached a separate deal with the union, brings the historic work stoppage against the Detroit Three one step closer to a complete end.

Talks between the UAW and General Motors are continuing — but union leaders announced a new strike at a GM plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee late Saturday shortly after announcing the Stellantis deal.

Details: The UAW saved 5,000 jobs that were going to be eliminated, plus got a commitment from Stellantis to add an additional 5,000 jobs by the end of the agreement in April 2028, union leaders said Saturday.

Stellantis agreed to build a mid-sized truck at its recently closed factory in Belvidere, Ill, and is adding 1,000 jobs at a new battery plant also in Belvidere.

Where it stands: The tentative agreements at Ford and Stellantis — and any eventual GM deal — still need to be ratified by 57,000 UAW members at Ford, 43,000 at Stellantis and 46,000 at GM.

Union leaders plan to present details of the contracts to members in a Facebook Live event on Sunday, after which they'll have several days to vote yay or nay.

Ratification is likely, but not guaranteed.

What they're saying: "Once again, we have achieved what just weeks ago we were told was impossible," UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement.

"At Stellantis in particular, we have not only secured a record contract, we have begun to turn the tide in the war on the American working class."

The UAW and Stellantis are "charting a future of good middle-class jobs in battery manufacturing, consistent with the President's vision for a just transition where building a clean economy and creating good union jobs go hand-in-hand," Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su said in a separate statement.

Meanwhile, GM said it's "disappointed" by the UAW's new strike at the company's Spring Hill facility "in light of the progress we have made."

"We have continued to bargain in good faith with the UAW, and our goal remains to reach an agreement as quickly as possible."

By the numbers: The six-week strike has been costly for automakers. 

Earlier this week, GM reported a third-quarter profit of $3.1 billion — but said the strike has already cost the company $800 million, and without a settlement, would cost about $200 million per week going forward. 

Ford reported lower-than-expected earnings and saide the strike had cost the company about $1.3 billion in lost production. 

Stellantis is expected to share its third-quarter results next week.

Catch up quick: The UAW, under Fain, used a novel tactic to try to win rich contracts with Detroit automakers after years of concessions.

The UAW ordered work stoppages at just a few key factories and parts centers at each company, effectively forcing the automakers to bargain against each other. 

Historically, the union would target one company for a strike until a deal was reached, and then seek a pattern agreement with the others. 

Go deeper: How the UAW strike is affecting workers and the economy

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

How the UAW strike is affecting workers and the economy

UAW reaches tentative deal with Stellantis to end strike

The tentative agreement still needs to be ratified by thousands of UAW members at the company.

A UAW On Strike sign held on a picket line outside the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, US, on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.

A picket line outside the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant on Oct. 23, 2023. Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

United Automobile Workers

Economy & Business

The Israeli military late Friday into Saturday "expanded" its ground operation in Gaza while also ramping up its bombardment of the Strip, targeting what the IDF said were Hamas tunnels and other infrastructure. 

The latest: Gaza's more than 2.2 million people remained largely cut off from the outside world amid a communications blackout in the enclave. 

"All of my friends living abroad are asking me about their families if they are okay," journalist Hind al-Khudary, one of the few people who was able to post on social media intermittently, said on X. "I do not know if my own family is okay..  I can't reach anyone. My heart is scattered into pieces." 

After meeting with senior IDF leadership on Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel "moved to a new phase in the war. We attacked above the ground and under the ground and the operation will continue until further notice."

The IDF said later Saturday that armored and infantry forces were fighting several Hamas squads in northern Gaza. 

The big picture: Israel's decision to expand its ground operations came as it conducted massive and unprecedented air raids and artillery strikes on the northern Gaza Strip.

Hamas fired a barrage of rockets toward Tel Aviv and other cities in central Israel. Most have been intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome. 

Two Israeli officials said the decision "to expand" ground operations in Gaza was made by the Israeli war cabinet on Thursday night local time after talks on a possible hostage release reached a stalemate.

Zoom out: The IDF's expansion of its operations comes nearly three weeks after Hamas killed 1,400 people in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel, according to Israeli officials.

More than 7,700 Palestinians have been killed amid Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, according to the Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza. 

Hamas is holding more than 220 people hostage, according to Israeli officials. Most are Israeli, but the group is also holding Americans and other foreign nationals. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the families of the Israelis who were kidnapped by Hamas and taken to Gaza that the more pressure the militant group feels, the better the chance it will release the hostages, the Prime Minister's Office said. 

State of play: Israeli officials have said the goal of a ground offensive is to "dismantle" Hamas infrastructure and completely "destroy" the militant group, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and other countries. 

Netanyahu on Saturday reiterated that the war will be "long and difficult." Early in the fighting, Netanyahu told President Biden that Israel had no choice but to invade the Strip.

Catch up quick: Prior to Israel's expansion of its ground operations, Israel ordered more than 1 million Palestinians in the northern part of the Strip to evacuate to the south. About 700,000 Palestinians heeded the order, according to the UN. Others remained in northern Gaza, saying there was nowhere to go. 

The IDF on Saturday dispersed leaflets in northern Gaza that called on Palestinians to move south, saying the area is a war zone and isn't safe. 

The dire conditions in Gaza have only worsened since the war and Israel's "complete siege" of the enclave began. Much of Gaza is in the dark after Israel cut electricity. Hospitals and schools sheltering people are running out of supplies, aid groups say. 

Israel allowed some aid into Gaza from Egypt after growing pressure worldwide, including by the U.S. But aid groups say it's only a fraction of the enclave's needs. 

No one, including hundreds of Palestinian Americans, has been allowed to leave the enclave, despite efforts by foreign governments to get their nationals out. The State Department blamed Hamas, though didn't present any evidence.

What to watch: There are growing concerns worldwide that the war could widen into a much bigger conflict. 

Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and Tehran have both warned Israel against launching an invasion of Gaza.

In Gaza, it's unclear what Israel plans to do if it achieves its aim of dismantling Hamas. 

Israeli officials say that after "destroying Hamas" they want to create a "new security regime" in Gaza.

Gallant previously said Israel wants to create "a new security regime in the Gaza Strip," remove "Israel's responsibility for day-to-day life" in the enclave, and create "a new security reality for the citizens of Israel." 

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout. 

Israel moves to "new phase" of war with Hamas in major incursion in Gaza

Gaza is home to more than 2.2 million people.

People walk on the street next to the completely destroyed buildings after Israeli attacks on Al-Shati refugee camp of Gaza City. Photo: Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images

Gaza

Israel

Conflicts, policies and powers are intersecting and shaping the world. Breaking news and analysis of national security, foreign policy and global crises.

World

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman (KBS) is expected to visit Washington on Monday for talks with senior Biden administration officials, three sources with knowledge of the trip told Axios.

What it matters: The visit has long been scheduled, the sources said, but it will take place just days after Israel expanded its ground operation in Gaza — an offensive Riyadh condemned on Saturday. It also comes as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia express concerns that the fighting between Israel and Hamas could widen into a regional war.

KBS, the brother of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and the former ambassador to the U.S., is the highest-ranking Saudi official to visit Washington since the Biden administration assumed office.

Driving the news: KBS is expected to meet with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Tony Blinken and several senators, the sources said.

The White House declined to comment. The Saudi Embassy in Washington didn't immediately reply to questions about the visit.

President Biden on Tuesday spoke to MBS about the U.S. diplomatic and military efforts to deter state and non-state actors in the region from joining the war, the White House said.

Biden stressed the U.S. "fully supports the defense of U.S. partners facing terrorist threats, whether from state or non-state actors," according to the White House. 

What they're saying: The Saudi Foreign Ministry earlier Saturday issued another statement critical of Israel. It condemned and denounced the Israeli ground operation in Gaza.

"Any ground operation by Israel would threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians and result in inhumane dangers," the statement said.

The big picture: Before the Israel-Hamas war began, Biden sought to ease tensions in the Middle East by pushing for a mega-deal with Saudi Arabia that included a historic peace agreement between the kingdom and Israel.

The deal was expected to also include a Palestinian component. 

Biden this week said he had "no proof" but his "instinct" tells him Hamas may have attacked Israel when it did to disrupt the progress being made on an Israel-Saudi deal. 

"We need to work toward greater integration [in the region] for Israel — while insisting that the aspirations of the Palestinian people will be part of this future as well," Biden said.

What to watch: MBS and Biden in their call this week "affirmed the importance of working towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians as soon as the crisis subsides," per the White House. 

The Saudi royal court said MBS told Biden of the need to "restore the peace track to ensure that the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights and in order to achieve fair and comprehensive peace."

Go deeper: Where countries stand on the Israel-Hamas war

Scoop: Saudi defense minister to visit White House amid fears of regional war

The visit has long been scheduled, but it will take place just days after Israel expanded its ground operation in Gaza.

Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia Khalid bin Salman

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman. Photo: Handout/Royal Court of Saudi Arabia /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia

Former Vice President Mike Pence announced Saturday that he is ending his 2024 presidential campaign.

Why it matters: The announcement comes after the former vice president struggled to gain traction in the crowded Republican primary, and less than two weeks before the third GOP debate.

Driving the news: Pence announced that he was suspending his campaign at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual gathering in Las Vegas. 

"It's become clear to me, this is not my time," Pence said in a speech. "So after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today."

"I'm leaving this campaign, but let me promise you, I will never leave the fight for conservative values and I will never stop fighting to elect principled Republican leaders to every office in the land."

Zoom in: Pence had roughly $620,000 in debt at the end of the third quarter and entered October with just $1.18 million cash on hand, according to his latest filing with the Federal Election Commission.

By comparison, Trump entered October with more than $37 million in cash on hand.

Pence, who made appealing to evangelical conservatives in Iowa central to his bid, averaged about 3.8% in national GOP primary polls, according to FiveThirtyEight's tracker, last updated on Oct. 27.

He had not yet qualified for the third Republican primary debate scheduled for Nov. 8. 

Flashback: Pence launched his presidential campaign in June and issued what was, at the time, a rare condemnation of former President Donald Trump, who now commands a dominant lead in the race for the GOP nomination.

"Anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States," Pence said, referencing how his former boss tried to pressure him to reject the electoral college results on Jan. 6, 2021.

Go deeper: Mike Pence's presidential campaign faces a cash squeeze

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.

Mike Pence's presidential campaign faces a cash squeeze

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Mike Pence suspends presidential campaign as Trump surges

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