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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 | |  For weeks, Biden administration officials have quietly urged their Israeli counterparts to open Kerem Shalom, located at the intersection of Gaza, Israel and Egypt. | Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images | Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Matt With help from Erin Banco Israel is about to open a second Gaza crossing, but only for inspections, which should still boost the likelihood that much more aid will reach suffering Palestinians even as the war against Hamas intensifies. For weeks, Biden administration officials have quietly urged their Israeli counterparts to open Kerem Shalom, located at the intersection of Gaza, Israel and Egypt. It’s far better suited for inspecting and waving through aid delivery trucks than the only open crossing at Rafah on Egypt’s border. That diplomacy appears to be paying off. Col. ELAD GOREN, an Israeli military spokesperson, told reporters Thursday that Kerem Shalom will open as another inspection station “in the next few days” to expedite the entry of more humanitarian assistance into Gaza. Importantly, that’s not a full reopening — Kerem Shalom will alleviate the strain on Nitzana, the lone site for inspections about 29 miles south of Rafah. Kerem Shalom is much closer to Rafah and capable of handling a large influx of vehicles. “Israel has agreed, at our request, to open Kerem Shalom for screening and inspections,” said a U.S. official, granted anonymity to detail sensitive closed-door diplomacy. “This is an important step, and we will continue to be in touch with our Israeli counterparts to ensure it happens.” The use of Kerem Shalom should ease the flow and increase the number of aid deliveries. On Wednesday, 80 trucks made their way into Gaza via the Rafah crossing, far short of the 170 vehicles during November’s week-long fighting pause and the 500 trucks prior to Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7. The hope is that opening Kerem Shalom will move figures closer to that pre-war total. “Keeping Kerem Shalom closed to Gaza is self-defeating,” said JONATHAN LORD, director of the Center for a New American Security’s Middle East program. “Kerem Shalom will potentially become essential if the Israel Defense Forces’ combat operations take it to Rafah. If the Egyptians close Rafah because it gets too hot, the situation goes from catastrophic to worse than catastrophic, and makes it harder for Israel to win.” Israel’s retaliation against Hamas has led it to Khan Younis, a southern city and the enclave’s second largest, home to key leaders of the militant group. The population has nearly doubled in population from 400,000 before the war, which makes it a civilian-filled battlefield for Israeli troops to navigate. It’s expected that the already devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza will get worse as Israeli forces push their way into the city and target Hamas operatives. The U.S. has consistently said there are United Nations-run “deconfliction zones” for Palestinians to avoid the war safely. But the U.N. has repeatedly replied that no such area exists, underscoring a significant miscommunication between those trying to protect innocent civilians.
| | 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. | | | | | HOSTAGE HOLD: Talks to release the remaining hostages in Gaza have hit a stalemate in recent days, dashing hopes of U.S. officials that they might reach a deal by the end of the year, two senior U.S. officials told our own ERIN BANCO. More than 130 hostages are still being held inside Gaza. There are several factors complicating negotiations, the officials said. Hamas’ leaders, many of whom live in Doha, are increasingly unable to communicate with and control the actions of their fighters in Gaza. And recent allegations that Hamas has sexually abused the hostages has added to the tensions around the negotiations. In addition, the U.S. and Israel are still unable to locate all of the hostages and determine whether they are still alive, the officials said. Combined, the obstacles have stalled the negotiations, meaning the release of the hostages will likely happen much more slowly than the U.S. originally anticipated. UN CHIEF’S ISRAEL PLEA: United Nations Secretary-General ANTÓNIO GUTERRES invoked a rare power to call on the U.N. Security Council to intervene in the Israel-Hamas war, our own SEB STARCEVIC reports. The conflict in Gaza has created “appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” Gutteres wrote in a letter to the president of the Security Council on Wednesday. Guterres called on the Security Council to “press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe” and for a “humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.” The move was backed by European Union foreign policy chief JOSEP BORRELL. Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. GILAD ERDAN slammed Guterres’ decision, accusing him of “bias against Israel” and saying he should “resign immediately.” “Today, the Secretary-General has reached a new moral low,” Erdan wrote on X, saying that Guterres “decided to activate this rare clause only when it allows him to put pressure on Israel, which is fighting the Nazi Hamas terrorists.” Read: Israeli tank fire killed Reuters journalist ISSAM ABDALLAH in Lebanon by Reuters’ MAYA GEBEILY, ANTHONY DEUTSCH and DAVID CLARKE DISRUPTING THE HOUTHIS: The Treasury Department sanctioned 13 people and entities today for providing tens of millions of dollars to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, which have increasingly targeted American forces in the Middle East. The money sent to the Houthis has been made from selling and shipping Iranian goods in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force. “The Houthis continue to receive funding and support from Iran, and the result is unsurprising: unprovoked attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping, disrupting maritime security and threatening international commercial trade,” BRIAN NELSON, undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement. KREMLIN ELECTION DATE: Russia has scheduled its 2024 presidential election for March 17, The Associated Press’ DASHA LITVINOVA reports. It’s widely expected that Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN, who has suppressed political opponents and expanded his authoritarian rule in recent years, will run again. Asked whether Putin will, however, Kremlin spokesman DMITRY PESKOV told reporters to “be patient.” Imprisoned opposition leader ALEXEI NAVALNY urged Russians to vote for anyone but Putin, warning that election results “will be rigged,” our own LAURA HÜLSEMANN reports. Putin has served as Moscow’s president or prime minister since 1999. Under current rules, he can seek two more six-year terms, meaning it’s possible that he could lead Russia until 2036. ABORTION POLICY IN: The compromise defense policy bill unveiled late Wednesday won’t include a GOP-backed proposal to block the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy, nixing a controversial measure that threatened to tank the legislation, our own CONNOR O’BRIEN and JOE GOULD report. This new version of the bill is on track to pass both houses with bipartisan support. Yet the abortion policy omission is a blow to conservatives who muscled the provision into the House version of the bill over the summer. Hard-right Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.), a member of the conference committee on the defense bill, described her position as “hell no” after GOP provisions on abortion and transgender troops fell away and an extension of the surveillance authorities was included. IT’S THURSDAY: 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.
| | | | Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of new episodes – click here. | | | | | | | | TRUMP’S TEAM: Some familiar faces and new names could fill DONALD TRUMP’s cabinet if he’s re-elected next year, according to Axios’ MIKE ALLEN and JIM VANDEHEI. Among those of particular interest to NatSec Daily readers:
- SecDef: Sen. TOM COTTON (R-Ark.) and LEE ZELDIN, former lawmaker and Army paratrooper
- STEPHEN MILLER: There’s a good chance Trump’s former senior adviser would be tapped as attorney general. If he wasn’t given that post, Miller would be given another post that influences immigration policy.
- STEVE BANNON: Bannon had Trump’s ear in the early days of his administration before being booted. With a popular podcast and pro-Trump fervency, he’s being considered for chief of staff, potentially elevating his hardline views on China and dovish views on North Korea.
- KASH PATEL: Patel, a former Pentagon official, was a protege of former Rep. DEVIN NUNES (R-Calif.) and led efforts to discredit the Russia investigation. He could be given a top national security post, such as leading the CIA or National Security Council.
Key to understanding Trump’s calculus: He plans to surround himself with people “based mainly on two imperatives: pre-vetted loyalty to him and a commitment to stretch legal and governance boundaries,” Allen and VandeHei write, citing people who often talk with Trump.
Read: Trump’s ‘dictator’ remark puts 2024 campaign right where Biden wants it by our own JONATHAN LEMIRE and MYAH WARD
| | | | GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | | HACKERS GOT: U.S. and U.K. authorities took actions against two Russian government-linked hackers on charges that they attempted to interfere in the 2019 British elections. DOJ alleged in the indictments that the Russians — RUSLAN ALEKSANDROVICH PERETYATKO and ANDREY STANISLAVOVICH KORINETS — were members of a hacking unit affiliated with Russia’s security service, our own MAGGIE MILLER reports (for Pros!). The hackers obtained and leaked info from emails from top officials before the British elections, prosecutors said, who also accused them of other hacking efforts against NATO countries in recent years. The indictments mark the latest alleged effort by Russian hackers to interfere in democratic elections in the past decade, and is a sign that these efforts continue despite the international community calling attention to Russian hacking activities. Also Britain’s Foreign Office announced today it had summoned Russia’s ambassador after warning that the same hacking group controlled by Russia’s security service was behind “sustained unsuccessful attempts to interfere in U.K. political processes,” our own JOHN JOHNSTON reports (for Pros!). AI ON THE PRIZE: EU lawmakers paused their talks today about the bloc's landmark Artificial Intelligence Act after a full day of negotiations, punting discussions to Friday, Reuters’ FOO YUN CHEE, SUPANTHA MUKHERJEE and MARTIN COULTER report. It’ll be the third day of tense debates between the European Union member states, the European Commission and the European parliament to hammer out key issues like the regulation of generative tech including ChatGPT. With elections this year, European lawmakers — who have been leading the global charge to put guardrails on artificial intelligence — want to wrap things up before the act could be derailed. "We are exhausted. We cannot go on like that. We need to sleep so we can reassess the texts," a person present at the discussions told Reuters. | | YOU’RE GROUNDED: The U.S. military is taking all of its Osprey V-22 helicopters out of the sky after the deadly crash near Japan that killed eight U.S. service members last week. The move follows a preliminary investigation that found the crash was caused by a problem with the aircraft, not a mistake by the crew. Hundreds of helicopters will be grounded by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps “to mitigate risk while the investigation continues,” the Air Force Special Operations Command wrote in a statement Wednesday night. “The underlying cause of the failure is unknown at this time.”
| | AID BATTLE CONTINUES: Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked further debate on a $100 billion-plus proposal to aid Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan — which also includes border funding — citing its lack of stricter border policy changes, our own URSULA PERANO reported. The mostly party-line 49-51 vote did not reach the 60-vote threshold to continue debate on the bill. The Senate GOP for weeks threatened to stop it from advancing absent an agreement to add more conservative border policy changes. But those border talks, which recently stalled, are still significantly short of a deal. National security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN blasted the failed vote. “The stakes are too high and the consequences too grave to allow a minority in Congress to hold Ukraine funding hostage over any unrelated issue. The world is watching, and history will judge us,” he said in a Wednesday evening statement. Meanwhile, one Independent and 13 Democratic senators put forward an amendment to the supplemental that any weapons sent to a country must be used in compliance with U.S., humanitarian and international law. If the amendment were to be attached to the supplemental, which at this point doesn’t seem likely, it could compel Republicans to withhold their support for the bill. In the words of Haaretz’s BEN SAMUELS, the amendment proposal is “perhaps the most significant effort ever to condition U.S. aid to Israel.” ICYMI — Senators work to revive border talks after foreign aid face plant by our own BURGESS EVERETT
| | | |   | | | | | ‘SECOND VIETNAM’: Russia’s spy chief warned the United States that the war in Ukraine could turn into its “second Vietnam,” Laura also reports. "Ukraine will turn into a 'black hole' absorbing more and more resources and people," SERGEI NARYSHKIN, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, said in an article posted by the agency. "Ultimately, the U.S. risks creating a 'second Vietnam' for itself, and every new American administration will have to try to deal with it." Several million people, including nearly 60,000 American troops, were killed in the Vietnam War that stretched two decades. If Russia takes Ukraine, Biden warned on Wednesday, U.S. forces could be drawn into future fighting, "If Putin takes Ukraine, he won’t stop there," Biden said. “We’ll have something that we don't seek and that we don't have today: American troops fighting Russian troops.” BLINKEN’S STIFF NECK: Remember when Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN seemingly winced at Biden calling Chinese leader XI JINPING a “dictator” last month? He can explain. “I’m tempted to say that we’d had a really long day, a very important and intense conversation with China. My neck was a little bit stiff. And, you know, that happens,” he told CNN’s “King Charles” in an exchange that aired this morning. Hosts GAYLE KING and CHARLES BARKLEY laughed, and Blinken himself shrugged and chuckled at one point. “But look, as I said before, it’s not exactly a secret that we have a very different system from China’s,” he added. “The president always speaks very clearly, very directly, and he speaks for everyone.”
| | | | — CHLOE HABELREEH is Albright Stonebridge Group’s new communications director. She joined the organization from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
| | — ABE SILBERSTEIN and YAEL MIZRAHI-ARNAUD, War On The Rocks: After Israel defeats Hamas, the United States should recognize Palestine — MAX BERGMANN and TINA DOLBAIA, Defense News: Russia is gearing up for a long war. Will the West follow suit? — JACOB STOKES, Center for a New American Security: Resisting China’s gray zone military pressure on Taiwan
| | — The Atlantic Council, 9 a.m.: The Israel Hamas war, Egypt's regional leadership, and other challenges — The Air and Space Forces Association, 9 a.m.: Discussion with Air Force Chief Master Sgt. JOANNE BASS Thanks to our editor, Heidi Vogt, who won’t even set up sham elections, proving her authoritarian designs. We also thank our producer, Gregory Svirnovskiy, whose stiff neck deserves a luxurious massage.
| | 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 | | | | |  |
