US debates about defence spending are mostly about defence v entitlements, rather than defence v taxes. If Americans want more defence spending they could choose to pay more. Taxation levels are a political choice; US government spending as share of GDP is low by OECD standards.

“The poor performance and loss of a significant portion of Russian conventional forces in the war against Ukraine and the depletion of its weapon stockpiles will likely deepen Russia’s reliance on nuclear weapons for its national defense.” thebulletin.org/premium/2024-0…

NEW: U.S. intelligence officials are planning to brief Donald Trump on national security matters if he secures the GOP nomination this summer — despite concerns about his handling of classified information. w/John Sakellariadis

politico.com/news/2024/03/0…

The long history of Biden’s Gaza port idea. But who secures the facility and distributes supplies - and at what risk of being attacked by either side - remains unclear. haaretz.com/israel-news/ha…

BREAKING | NBC News: A US Army intelligence analyst has been arrested by the FBI after he allegedly transmitted sensitive U.S. Military information to a co-conspirator in China in exchange for approximately $42,000.

More details to come…

Now with link. theguardian.com/world/2024/mar…

⚡ Ukraine's ex commander in chief of the armed forces, general Valery Zaluzhny, has been appointed as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom. An interesting move 🤔

Important move by Biden to build a temporary port off Gaza. Marks his loss of faith in Netanyahu. No use of Israeli territory means no customs hold-up or protests by the far right. Should never have come to this. War goes on. US remains stained by Israeli action, and inaction

Jets, guns and subs: What Sweden brings to NATO politico.eu/article/sweden…

And thus the Baltic Sea becomes a NATO lake, except for the Russian cul-de sac in the Gulf of Finland. The question is: have Sweden and Finland joined NATO just in time for Donald Trump to destroy it?

Summary: Gantz thinks Bibi is badly screwing up relations with America, and discovered team Biden is seriously pissed off at the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The surprise is that he's surprised: all he had to do was read what Biden/Blinken have been saying in public

My take on the growing Biden-Bibi rift. America is exasperated by Israel but will not stop its war against Hamas. Instead, Biden is betting on a ceasefire and hostage deal to control the conflict in Gaza economist.com/middle-east-an…

Stern warning to Bibi: 'Israel has been a trustworthy, dependable US ally for over 50 years. Benjamin Netanyahu is not....he does not see himself as an ally and does not conduct himself as one – and now the United States has finally realised this.' haaretz.com/israel-news/20…

Sharper tone from ⁦Vice President Kamala Harris⁩ but her call for a “immediate ceasefire” is still conditional and temporary, so not different from Biden thus far. Watch whether ⁦he⁩ “drops in” on her meeting with Benny Gantz (Monday) that has infuriated Bibi politico.com/news/2024/03/0…

The Administration is giving Gantz the one thing it's denied Netanyahu -- a White House visit. Meetings with the VP and NSA are scheduled. If the President is in town, he ought to do a drop by.

An unseemly spat between France and Germany has raised awkward questions over the extent of both countries’ military aid to Ukraine econ.st/3IkpKmd 👇