The Biden administration is "very concerned" the assassination of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh could derail negotiations over the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal and increase the risk of a regional war, three U.S. officials said.
Why it matters: The Biden administration has put a hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas at the center of itsentire post-war strategy in the Middle East.
The head of Hamas' political bureau Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in an airstrike by Israel on his house in Tehran, the group said in a statement on Wednesday morning local time.
Why it matters: The strike sparked immediate fears of wider war between Israel and Iran and its proxies. It also complicates efforts to reach a deal to end the war in Gaza.
The United States — its citizens, industry, decision-makers and military — is unprepared for a war that could kick off with Russia and China and later engulf the world, according to a new blue chip study.
Why it matters: The Commission on the National Defense Strategy, a congressionally mandated group with members handpicked by Democratic and Republican lawmakers, is not known for hyperbole. Its conclusions, that the U.S. "has not kept pace with a worsening situation," should be a wakeup call.
The House of Representatives is banning staffers from using apps from ByteDance, the Chinese-owned parent company of TikTok, on official congressional devices, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The government is in active litigation making the case that TikTok's ties to China represent a national security threat — an argument that could be undermined if congressional employees have associated apps on their phones.
A senior U.S. delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks about the situation in Yemen and the recent escalation between Israel andHouthi rebels, three U.S. officials said.
Why it matters: Saudi Arabia has become more concerned in recent weeks about the rising tensions and being dragged into a renewed conflict in Yemen.
Venezuela's outsized role in U.S. politics is poised to grow further after autocrat Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner in a presidential election widely condemned as fraudulent.
Why it matters: Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have fled the crisis-stricken nation over the last decade. Maduro's re-election and the ensuing political unrest could exacerbate the refugee crisis in the final months before the U.S. election.
Congressional Republicans are pressing the Biden administration to impose harsh sanctions on Venezuela's government for allegedly "subverting" the results of the country's presidential election on Sunday.
Why it matters: Some Republicans have blasted Biden administration's deal with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to ease sanctions on the country's oil and gas sectors in exchange for holding free and fair elections.
Israel experienced hours of chaos on Monday after far-right protesters encouraged by ultranationalist politicians from the governing coalition broke into a military base where Hamas militants are detained and another base hosting the Israel Defense Forces military court.
Why it matters: For 12 hours, Israel was immersed in the unrest as television networks broadcast live from the scene and the defense establishment and political system dealt with the unfolding events. The country's military leaders were forced to turn their focus from preparing for a possible strike against Hezbollah that could spark war on another front to protecting their own base from domestic turmoil.
