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From the SitRoom to the E-Ring, the inside scoop on defense, national security and foreign policy. | | | | |  | | By Alexander Ward and Matt Berg | |  One of the big questions looming over the Israel-Hamas war is who would run Gaza if the militant group is uprooted. | Abed Khaled/AP | Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Matt With help from Joe Gould One of the big questions looming over the Israel-Hamas war is who would run Gaza if the militant group is uprooted. We now have a possible answer: The U.S. and its allies may establish a multinational force to keep peace in the enclave — one that likely wouldn’t include American troops. Sens. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-Md.) and RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-Conn.) confirmed such talks were underway to Alex, JOE GOULD and NAHAL TOOSI this morning. “There are ongoing conversations regarding the possible composition of an international force,” Van Hollen said, refusing to go into specific detail. “They are very preliminary and fragile. “I do think it’d be important to have some kind of multinational force in Gaza as a transition to whatever comes next,” he continued. Blumenthal said the congressional delegation with which he traveled to Israel last month discussed the possibility of having Saudi Arabian troops in the force. He noted, however, that he hadn’t heard of U.S. troops heading to Gaza as part of the deliberations. “There certainly has been discussion with the Saudis about their being part of some international peacekeeping force if only to provide resources, and, longer term, supporting Palestinian leadership and a separate state, obviously. Reconstruction of Gaza will require a vast amount of resources, which the Saudis potentially could help provide,” he said. After the story published, Sen. BEN CARDIN (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Joe that he’s supportive of the multinational force idea but that there are clear sensitivities about putting U.S. troops in Gaza. Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN hinted at the closed-door discussions during a Senate hearing Tuesday. The administration’s preference is for the Palestinian Authority to lead Gaza after Hamas’ fall, if possible. Barring that, “there are other temporary arrangements that may involve a number of other countries in the region. It may involve international agencies that would help provide for both security and governance,” he said. The lawmakers’ comments make clear that there’s an appetite in Congress for such a force, making life easier for President JOE BIDEN to negotiate its establishment with allies and partners. Any indication of U.S. troop involvement, though, might lead to a collapse of talks. Bloomberg News’ PETER MARTIN and JENNIFER JACOBS were the first to report that conversations about a peacekeeping force were happening behind the scenes.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Our mission is to prepare you for the future by engineering advanced capabilities today.
Many of today’s military systems and platforms were designed to operate independently. Through our 21st Century Security vision, Lockheed Martin is accelerating innovation, connecting defense and digital to enhance the performance of major platforms, to equip customers to stay ahead of emerging threats. Learn more. | | | | | LEAVING GAZA: Foreign nationals are being allowed to leave Gaza via Egypt — the first people to be given permission to exit the Palestinian territory since the war between Israel and Hamas began, our own MARI ECCLES reports. A limited number of wounded Palestinian civilians have also entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing to receive medical treatment. There’s still no end to the fighting in sight. An Israeli official told Nahal the nation is “willing to discuss a humanitarian pause of a few hours,” but not days. A cease-fire is not on the table. Adding to the chaos, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed missile and drone strikes on Israel for the first time on Tuesday, drawing Tehran closer to the conflict amid concerns that Hezbollah and other militant groups in the region will join the fight, The Associated Press’ JON GAMBRELL reported. UKRAINE RALLIES: Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY cautioned against allies expecting Kyiv to be successful on the battlefield soon, following the country’s counteroffensive against Russia that yielded relatively minor gains since the summer. "We live in a world that gets used to success too quickly. When the full-scale invasion began, many people around the world did not believe that Ukraine would survive," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. "Glory to all those who do not retreat, who do not burn out.” U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine BRIDGET BRINK was blunt on MSNBC this morning: “It's plain and simple. If we don't continue to support Ukraine, Russia will win, and that will have an extremely deleterious effect on our strategic interests.” ICYMI — Ukraine pleads with the U.S. to ramp up support against Russia by our own LARA SELIGMAN. PAKISTAN DEPORTS AFGHANS: Pakistan has detained and deported at least 64 undocumented Afghans since the government said it would take such action to crack down on migration, starting today. “Today, we said goodbye to 64 Afghan nationals as they began their journey back home,” interim Interior Minister SARFRAZ BUGTI posted on X this morning. “This action is a testament to Pakistan’s determination to repatriate any individuals residing in the country without proper documentation.” The United Nations, human rights groups and even the Taliban have condemned the actions. And yet, as The Associated Press’ MUNIR AHMED and RIAZ KHAN noted, “sweeps took place in the port city of Karachi, the garrison city of Rawalpindi, and in various areas in the southwestern Baluchistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, which border Afghanistan.” Under the special immigrant visa policy in the U.S., Afghan applicants had to relocate to a third country, like Pakistan, to have their cases processed. There are fears, then, that the deportations could complicate an applicant’s efforts.
| | | | GET READY FOR POLITICO’S DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/14: Russia’s war on Ukraine … China’s threats to Taiwan … a war in Gaza. The U.S. is under increasing pressure to deter, defend and fight in more ways — but not everyone agrees how. Join POLITICO's 3rd Annual Defense Summit on November 14 for exclusive interviews and expert discussions on global security and the U.S.'s race to bolster alliances and stay ahead of adversaries. Explore critical topics, including international conflicts, advanced technology, spending priorities and political dynamics shaping global defense strategies. Don’t miss these timely and important discussions. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | IT’S WEDNESDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily. This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at award@politico.com and mberg@politico.com, and follow us on X at @alexbward and @mattberg33. While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s national security team: @nahaltoosi, @PhelimKine, @laraseligman, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @leehudson, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco, @reporterjoe, and @JGedeon1.
| | ‘SITTING DUCKS’: Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS argues that the number of U.S. troops in the Middle East is large enough to make them targets but too small to deter further attacks on them by Iranian proxies. "I look at all these attacks that are going against U.S. positions in the Middle East, and it seems like Biden has people there that are effectively sitting ducks," the Republican presidential candidate told Fox News on Tuesday evening. "They're there in probably too small a number to really do a whole lot. But they're in sufficient numbers where they're an inviting target." DeSantis also criticized Biden for the U.S. striking two Iran-linked targets in Syria in response to the 27 attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria since October. "They're not doing anything to hold Iran accountable. And yes, the direct response to these attacks," he said. The governor said Iran was “the root of all problems” in the Middle East and encouraged Biden to do more to counter Tehran, including dropping any notions of reentering a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.
| | | |   | | | | | AI SUMMIT: London’s highly anticipated artificial intelligence summit kicked off today, with Vice President KAMALA HARRIS urging the international community to focus on the “full spectrum” of AI risks, and not just far-off existential threats from the emerging tech, our own VINCENT MANANCOURT, EUGENE DANIELS and BRENDAN BORDELON report. Harris nodded to the existential risks such as AI being used to create bioweapons and launch cyberattacks that are the focus of Britain’s summit. But she called for a broader definition of AI safety to include existing and near-term threats of the tech. “Let us be clear, there are additional threats that also demand our action. Threats that are currently causing harm, and which to many people also feel existential,” Harris said. She made several new announcements meant to emphasize Washington’s commitment to promoting safe AI, including that the Biden administration will launch a new AI Safety Institute, which will partner with similar organizations now being developed in countries like the U.K.; announced that 31 countries have now joined the State Department’s declaration on the responsible military use of AI; and touted the more than $200 million in AI safety funding the White House has secured from 10 major philanthropic groups. Read: U.S. and China join global leaders to lay out need for AI rulemaking by our own MARK SCOTT, TOM BRISTOW and GIAN VOLPICELLI NEWSOM-THING’S UP: As California Gov. GAVIN NEWSOM met in China with Chinese government officials last week, a top federal prosecutor in his home state quietly told Congress that Beijing is trying to influence elections in California, our own BETSY WOODRUFF SWAN and CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO report. “We’re the gateway to Asia,” MARTIN ESTRADA, the U.S. attorney for the central district of California, said in a closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 24. “And we have the People’s Republic of China trying to influence our elections, trying to target some of our individuals.” It’s the latest sign of the evolving threats of foreign election interference as the U.S. heads into the 2024 election cycle. In recent months, California government officials have had heightened concerns about China’s interference in the state’s elections, a state official told Betsy and Christopher.
| | ‘OUTRAGEOUS’: Pentagon officials are even more angry that Sen. TOMMY TUBERVILLE (R-Ala.) is keeping his hold on military nominations after Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. ERIC SMITH was hospitalized, Lara reports. “This is outrageous,” said a senior DOD official. “I cannot help but think — because at the end of the day, Eric Smith is a human — that Tuberville’s unnecessary stress that he’s put on the situation where you don’t have a backup … has added a level of complexity and danger to an already bad situation.” Smith was serving in both the top and No. 2 jobs of the Marines. In an interview today, Tuberville brushed off the comments from the DOD officials. “They’re looking for someone to blame it on, other than themselves,” he said. “We could have all these people confirmed if they’d have just gone by the Constitution. “I don’t listen to these people,” he added. “They’re just looking for any possible way to get themselves out of a jam.” The DOD official didn’t buy the argument. With a commandant in the hospital and no Senate-confirmed assistant in place, they said the holds are “cutting off at the knees the advice and counsel that should be going to the chairman and the president.” SWISS MISSILES: Switzerland will buy Lockheed Martin-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement in a $331 million deal the two sides announced Tuesday, per our friends at Morning Defense (for Pros!). Switzerland expects Patriot missile systems to start coming in 2026, and last year the country agreed to buy PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile, Tactical type ordnance — meant to defend against aircraft, drones and cruise missiles. The PAC-3 MSE missiles — used against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, advanced threats and aircraft — will arrive in 2028 and 2029. Washington announced nearly a year ago that it cleared Bern to buy up to 72 PAC-3 missiles for up to $700 million. The Swiss government said the new weapons, as well as the new F-35A fighter jet, are part of the Air2030 program, which also includes radar and command and control projects. ICYMI — Pentagon announces long-awaited UFO reporting form by our own ERIC BAZAIL-EIMIL.
| | FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY — STOP THE MACHINES: A bipartisan group of House members wrote to national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN to demand that the U.S. end advanced machine tool exports to Russia. “Reports suggest a troubling trend in which German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Swiss, and even US-produced machine tools and key components are still making their way to Russia, often through intermediaries, but sometimes directly,” reads the letter led by Reps. BRAD SCHNEIDER (D-Ill.) and JOE WILSON (R-S.C.). “Western, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese imports, service, spare parts, and expertise are critical to Russian industry, which has no advanced industrial machine capacity of its own. “Enhancing export control compliance and enforcement is crucial to undermining the Russian defense industrial base and supporting the Ukrainian people as they push back against Putin’s illegal war of aggression,” they continued. The lawmakers allege that the continued exports of such advanced tools could aid Russia’s defense-industrial sector, allowing it to boost its weapons production even as sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine bite. Advanced computer numerical control machines could also help Russia in other areas like the automotive, aerospace and shipbuilding sectors, the House members wrote. A senior Treasury Department official told NatSec Daily that tomorrow, the administration will sanction multiple third-party intermediaries that are sending materials to Russia that can be used for its war against Ukraine. “Watch for it,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to preview a forthcoming move. JOHNSON EVOLUTION ON UKRAINE?: Speaker MIKE JOHNSON told Senate Republicans today that he supports aiding Ukraine — though he drew a hard line against combining it with money for Israel, our colleagues BURGESS EVERETT, URSULA PERANO and KATHERINE TULLY-MCMANUS report. Johnson has been skeptical of continued military aid in the past, but he indicated today that his position on Ukraine may have to change now that he represents more than just his constituents, Sen. MARKWAYNE MULLIN (R-Ohio) told Punchbowl’s ANDREW DESIDERIO. His stance still presents a challenge to Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER and Minority Leader MITCH McCONNELL, who want to stitch together funding for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and U.S.-Mexico border security. But the newly elected speaker did give senators something to work with by making clear that he supports new money for Ukraine's defense against Russia, even if it's not comparable in size or scope to what Biden wants. He told senators that beefed-up border security and Ukraine funding are “inextricably intertwined,” our colleagues report — effectively signaling that he views Israel funding as one debate, and a border-Ukraine negotiation as entirely separate.
| | | | PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | | IRAN CALLS FOR ISRAEL BOYCOTT: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah ALI KHAMENEI urged Muslim countries to stop exporting oil and food to Israel and called for the nation to halt its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, Reuters’ PARISA HAFEZI reports. "The bombings on Gaza must stop immediately ... the path of oil and food exports to the Zionist regime should be stopped," Khamenei said, per Iranian state media, also arguing that Washington was complicit in Israel's "recent crimes against Palestinians.” As international pressure mounts for Israel to minimize its impact on Palestinian civilians, Bolivia said it is cutting diplomatic ties with the Israeli government due to its ongoing attacks on Gaza, The Washington Post’s KELSEY ABLES reports. Bolivian Deputy Foreign Minister FREDDY MAMANI criticized what he described as an “aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive at Gaza, as well as the threat to international peace and security.” Jordan also recalled its ambassador in Israel because of its ground operation in the walled territory, Axios’ BARAK RAVID reports.
| | — Biden has officially nominated KURT CAMPBELL to be the deputy secretary of State. Alex and Nahal first reported an official announcement was coming. Campbell is currently the top Asia official in the National Security Council.
| | — HUSSEIN IBISH, The Atlantic: Israel’s Dangerous Delusion — MICHAEL COHEN, CHRISTOPHER PREBLE and MONICA DUFFY TOFT, Foreign Affairs: The Lessons for Israel of America’s War in Afghanistan — ROBERT PAPE, CNN: Opinion: There’s a smarter way to eliminate Hamas
| | — The Middle East Institute, 10 a.m.: U.S. Diplomacy and the Israel-Hamas War: Policy Options and Preparing for the “Day After” — The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, 10:30 a.m.: Two-and-a-Half Power World: In the New Disorder, America and China are the Big Two Who Outclass Russia — The Henry L. Stimson Center, 11 a.m.: Climate, Energy, Insecurity – How U.N. Peace Operations Can Help Soften the Blow — The R Street Institute, 12 p.m.: Online Content Moderation: Government vs. Private-Sector Solutions — The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 12 p.m.: The Israeli-Hamas War — The Center for a New American Security, 4:30 p.m.: AI Governance and National Security Thanks to our editor, Emma Anderson, who can barely keep peace within our team. We also thank our producer, Emily Lussier, who puts up a two-fingered peace sign and then everything is OK.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Our mission is to prepare you for the future by engineering advanced capabilities today.
Many of today’s military systems and platforms were designed to operate independently. Through our 21st Century Security vision, Lockheed Martin is accelerating innovation, connecting defense and digital to enhance the performance of major platforms, to equip customers to stay ahead of emerging threats. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
