Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Washington Roundtable Nov 17, ’23]
Nov 17, 2023
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Dr. Patrick Cronin, Michael Herson, Jim Townsend, and Dr. Dov Zakheim discuss topics including the bipartisan nature of the continuing resolution, Senate's solution for military promotions, House and Senate dysfunction leading to retirements, delayed Ukraine aid, Biden-Xi summit takeaways, Israel's campaign against Hamas, tensions in the West Bank, and US efforts to contain Iran's proxies.
The continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House and Senate to keep the government open through January has bipartisan support but lacks significant changes and covers only specific appropriations bills.
The summit meeting between President Biden and President Xi Jinping aimed to stabilize the US-China relationship but did not result in major concessions from China, highlighting the fundamentally competitive nature of US-China relations.
Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza is driven by the need to defend against an existential threat, but it faces international scrutiny due to concerns about civilian casualties and the occupation of hospitals.
Deep dives
Summary of the Government Funding Resolution and NDAA Progress
The House and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open through January, with House Speaker Mike Johnson as the original drafter. While there was bipartisan support for the CR, some Republicans expressed dissatisfaction. The CR did not include any significant changes and only covered specific appropriations bills. The timeline for reaching agreement on funding is tight, and there is pressure to avoid a long-term CR or government shutdown.
Implications of Biden-Xi Summit and US-China Relations
President Biden and President Xi Jinping held a summit meeting, which was seen as a necessary step but lacked substantial outcomes. The meeting aimed to stabilize the US-China relationship and manage competition responsibly. Despite the positive optics, there were no major concessions from China, and issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea remain points of contention. The summit had limited durability, and the fundamentally competitive nature of US-China relations persists.
Analysis of Israel's Offensive against Hamas in Gaza
Israel is conducting a military campaign to eradicate Hamas in Gaza, occupying locations like Gaza's al-Shifa hospital in search of Hamas command centers. The offensive is part of Israel's effort to defend against an existential threat and protect its citizens. The campaign has faced international scrutiny, with concerns about civilian casualties and the occupation of hospitals. The situation remains tense, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to reach a resolution.
US Response to Iranian Militias and Escalation in Syria
The US has been responding forcefully to attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq, taking action to defend American troops and assets. There have been targeted strikes against these militias and efforts to deter further aggression. The approach aims to maintain pressure on these groups and discourage escalation. However, there is the risk of these conflicts escalating further if the response is not consistent.
Concerns about Joe Manchin's Potential Third-Party Presidential Run
There are suspicions that Senator Joe Manchin may run for president as a third-party candidate, potentially impacting the upcoming 2024 election. While Manchin has stated that he does not want to be a spoiler, there are concerns that his candidacy could divide the vote and have consequences for the Democratic Party. It is suggested that factors such as dissatisfaction with the current administration, the Arab vote in Michigan, and young voters could be influential in shaping the electoral landscape.
On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon Comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim join host Vago Muradian to discuss the bipartisan nature of the continuing resolution that will keep government open through January and what it tells us about what to expect on the authorization and appropriations legislation, how the Senate will circumvent Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s holds on some 450 military promotions, impact of continuing dysfunction prompting large numbers of House and Senate members to retire, impact of delayed Ukraine aid and message it sends worldwide, takeaways from Biden-Xi summit and message the meeting sends to allies in Europe and Asia, next steps in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza, rising tensions in the West Bank, and US efforts to contain Iran’s regional proxies.
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