The U.S. State Department raised its advisory for Israel on Wednesday to "Level 3 — Reconsider Travel" due to the war with Hamas.
The big picture: The State Department said in a separate online post that it was "exploring contract options to facilitate U.S. citizen travel to nearby countries, and will provide updates to U.S. citizens who have registered via our online form."
President Biden said in a meeting with the leaders of the Jewish organizations in the U.S. on Wednesday that the U.S. has "made it clear" to Iran that it should "be careful" and not intervene in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Why it matters: Biden in his previous public comments has warned "against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage" of the situation in Israel and Gaza, but until Wednesday, hadn't specifically mentioned Iran.
The White House issued a blistering response to Vladimir Putin's claim that U.S. policy is to blame for the Hamas attack, saying the Russian president "has no credibility when it comes to the loss of innocent life."
What they're saying: "That fact is reinforced by Russia's sickening failure to condemn Hamas' abhorrent attack, as well as their dishonest attempt to 'both sides' this tragedy," White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Axios in an exclusive statement.
All six Senate Democrats up for re-election in competitive states have joined Republicans in calling for President Biden to re-freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets made available as part of a U.S. prisoner exchange last month.
Why it matters: While Biden has won praise for his "unequivocal" support for Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks, some Republicans argue his policies have emboldened Iran, which helps fund the Palestinian militant group and other proxies throughout the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to visit Israel in a show of solidarity with the country amid the fighting in Gaza, two Ukrainian and Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: A visit by Zelensky would boost international support for Israel's counteroffensive against Hamas in Gaza.
A growing web of U.S. restrictions on trade and investment in China — combined with China's own tightening rules — is fueling a market for China-related data.
Why it matters: U.S. businesses and lawmakers need accurate data about Chinese companies and the country's economy to make decisions, ensure compliance and formulate policies, but Beijing is increasingly limiting access to that information.
The remaining debris from the Titan submersible, which imploded during a diving trip to the wreck of the Titanic in June, has been recovered from the ocean floor, the U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday.
Driving the news: Crews found "additional presumed human remains" within the submersible's debris, and they were "transported for analysis by U.S. medical professionals," per the Coast Guard.
Israel's venture capital industry appears to be running on parallel planes, based on conversations with investors on the ground and some of their U.S. colleagues.
First and foremost is war. The real one, rather than the metaphorical "battles" over deals.
Why it matters: The fact that Gantz, a member of the opposition, is joining the government underscores how big the crisis in Israel is as a result of the deadly Hamas attack.
A U.S. Navy sailor arrested on national security charges pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring with a Chinese intelligence officer and receiving a bribe, the Department of Justice announced.
Driving the news: Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, of Monterey Park, California, originally pleaded not guilty. But he admitted on Tuesday that he had "engaged in a corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the intelligence officer in violation of his official duties," per a DOJ statement.
The first plane carrying U.S. weaponry arrived at Israel's Nevatim Airbase on Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.
Details: Hagari said the ammunition would "enable significant strikes and preparations for additional scenarios" as Israeli forces prepare for a wide-ranging offensive against Hamas following the militant group's surprise air, land and sea attack Saturday.
Why it matters: Biden's address — carried live by all major news networks —was perhaps the most powerful statement of support for Israel by a sitting U.S. president since Harry Truman recognized the Jewish state in 1948.
