Discussions on Biden potentially withholding offensive weapons from Israel, challenges in spending his huge bills, the faltering criminal cases against Trump, the global fertility crisis, and tips on navigating election coverage
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Quick takeaways
President Biden threatens to withhold offensive weapons from Israel if they target population centers, potentially impacting their invasion plans.
President Biden's $1.6 trillion spending bills face slow implementation due to bureaucratic hurdles and controversial requirements, hindering desired outcomes.
Deep dives
President Biden's stance on weapons supply to Israel
President Biden has communicated his intention to withhold weapons from Israel should they proceed with their invasion of Rafa Hamas's stronghold in Gaza. While pledging to continue sending defensive weapons, Biden specified that certain historically used weapons would not be supplied if Israel targets population centers. However, there are indications that Israel might already possess what is needed for their planned operations, potentially making Biden's statement less impactful than intended.
Challenges in the implementation of Biden's infrastructure and climate funds
Despite President Biden's ambitious plan to utilize $1.6 trillion in climate and infrastructure funding to reshape America and boost his reelection chances, reports reveal slow expenditure progress. Less than 17% of the allocated funds have been dispersed, with bureaucratic hurdles and controversial requirements hindering effective implementation. The intricate legislative design and delayed disbursement suggest that Biden's desired outcomes may face significant obstacles.
Delays and challenges in prosecuting Donald Trump
Prosecutors across several states are encountering difficulties in bringing criminal charges against Donald Trump to trial. Delays and legal complexities have impeded the swift progress of these cases, casting doubts on the potential legal accountability and political ramifications for Trump. The drawn-out legal processes, exacerbated by strategic delays and contentious legal interpretations, suggest that any substantial legal impact on Trump's prospects may be deferred beyond the upcoming elections.
This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Biden’s threat to withhold offensive weapons from Israel, why the president’s huge spending bills haven’t been spent yet, the faltering criminal cases against Donald Trump, the global fertility crisis, and how to get the most out of election coverage.
Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters. You can read Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column here, and check out more from Tablet here.