In a tense game of chicken, remarkable for its mix of petulance and audacity, congressional Republicans are threatening to halt U.S. aid to Ukraine—guaranteeing a Russian breakthrough and possible victory in that war—unless Democrats help pass a bill that all but locks down America’s Southern border.

If the impasse isn’t resolved by the end of next week, when Congress goes on recess until the new year, the Ukrainian army could run out of ammunition. President Joe Biden could resupply the arsenal from U.S. stockpiles without legislative approval, but the move would be temporary, and the signal sent—that Ukraine, and by implication other allies, can no longer count on U.S. support in a pinch—could be a holiday cork-popper for Russian President Vladimir Putin and all of our other adversaries.

  • @TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Then why are the Democrats supporting genocide? That ain’t Trump’s state department and UN ambassador vetoing a ceasefire.

    The US deputy ambassador, Richard Mills, said the US would not give up on its aim of removing Hamas, explaining America wanted “to break the cycle of unceasing violence so that history does not keep repeating itself”. He said a ceasefire now “would only plant the seeds for the next war because Hamas has no desire to see a durable peace. Our goal should not be to stop the war for today but to stop the war for ever”.

      • @pandacoder@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        I think that’s part of it, but I the government is also using Israel as a proxy, and we do have silicon manufacturing there. The government has a vested military and security interest in Israel (money and power is far more important, the votes are a bonus).

        Unlike all of the other countries in the Middle East, Israel is surrounded only by enemies. Israel can’t turn on the US without a replacement military superpower, so they’re effectively bound to the US for guaranteed protection.

        Example: Despite Iran’s posturing they weren’t going to attack knowing they’d get a military response from the US if they did. They almost certainly could get away with attacking a different country the US isn’t protecting though without anything more than sanctions.

        • @ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world
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          85 months ago

          The US can support Israel’s right to exist along with the Palestinians too and could pressure Israel to have a more reserved response that didn’t kill so many Palestinian civilians. And in fact it’s clear many in the administration want this. However as there are definitely ardent Israel supporters that have no empathy for the civilians plight and that have deep pockets and long memories, it appears Biden is very reluctant to offend them right before an election.

          • @pandacoder@lemmy.world
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            25 months ago

            None of this is mutually exclusive with what I said and you got really close to my point…

            that have no empathy for the civilians plight and that have deep pockets

            I keep seeing everyone talking about only a few groups:

            • those who do not give a shit about/hate Palestinians
            • those who only care about Israel
            • and those who actually give a shit about innocent people not suffering

            I’m not seeing anyone mention the group of people who do not care about Israel as a people either and only want to protect their money and power and view Israel as a tool to do so.

            That last group is currently escaping the headlines which are essentially all about people who are vocally pro-/anti-Israel or pro-/anti-Palestinians and not about the group who care about neither. The last group needs more attention because they will be funding the next war too.

    • @SoleInvictus@lemmy.world
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      35 months ago

      I think the issue here, hence why you’re getting dragged, is Democrat ≠ progressive, therefore your comment is a bit of a non sequitur.

      • @TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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        25 months ago

        It is a non sequitur. I just found it odd to scorn conservatives for genocide while not mentioning that Democrats are actively abetting a current one.

        • @SoleInvictus@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          I think it’s a non sequitur because American Democrats ARE conservatives, as is noted later. With that in mind, the comment chain reads as:

          Them: Conservatives have always supported genocide.

          You: Then why is the other conservative group supporting genocide?

          I believe a significant chunk of the site agrees with you regarding the subject matter, I’m just pointing out why I believe it’s not going over well. Take it or leave it, I’m just trying to provide constructive criticism.

          Edit: shit, i read your comment as “it is not a non sequitur”. I’m too tired, words hard, leaving original comment for posterity.

          • @TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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            25 months ago

            Don’t apologize for being secure enough to apologize. There is so much negativity on here, that you absorb it without realizing. Much love 💕