NEW DELHI: US President Biden vowed to increase military assistance to Israel after an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis, leading to a fierce retaliation against the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip.
This commitment sparked concerns about whether Washington could enhance defense aid to Israel without endangering assistance for Ukraine, particularly in light of the Republican lawmakers’ removal of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and their failure to appoint a successor.
Officials from the Biden administration maintain that Washington can indeed manage both commitments, although they acknowledge that there will be challenges ahead.
Here are some important factors which may impact US aid to Israel and Ukraine
US Congress in state of chaos and dysfunction
The US Congress, which controls spending, is in a state of chaos and dysfunction, making it difficult to pass legislation that would authorize additional funding for both Israel and Ukraine. The House of Representatives, where spending bills usually originate, has no permanent speaker after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy by hard-right Republicans, some of whom oppose aid to Ukraine. The Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, faces filibuster threats from Republicans who want to block Biden’s agenda. Moreover, the US government is facing a potential shutdown in a few weeks if Congress fails to pass a budget or a stopgap measure. Therefore, it is possible that any request for more aid to Israel could crowd out or delay the assistance to Ukraine, which is already facing a shortage of weapons and equipment as it battles Russian-backed separatists.
Biden admin needs support from US Congress
On Tuesday, President Biden announced that his administration had initiated the delivery of extra military support to Israel, including interceptors to reinforce the Iron Dome defense system. He emphasized that upon Congress’s return, urgent measures would be proposed to address the crucial national security needs of our essential allies.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said that the US needs additional support from Congress to be able to increase its production and delivery of munitions, which are in high demand by both allies. The US has already spent more than $46 billion on security aid for Ukraine since 2014, when Russia first invaded parts of its territory, and more than $38 billion on military assistance for Israel under a 10-year deal signed in 2016. The US also has other commitments and priorities around the world, such as countering China’s rise, supporting NATO allies, and dealing with humanitarian crises.
What history says about US aid
The US has a history and reputation of being able to provide military assistance to multiple allies simultaneously, even in times of crisis or conflict. The US has been the world’s largest arms exporter for decades, supplying weapons and equipment to dozens of countries around the world. The US has also been involved in several wars and interventions in different regions at the same time, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and others. The US has demonstrated its ability to mobilize its resources and capacity quickly and effectively when needed, such as after the 9/11 attacks or during the Arab Spring.
The Biden administration and congressional Democrats are weighing tying legislation for additional military support for both countries together, hoping to gain bipartisan support and avoid opposition from some Republicans who are against aid to Ukraine.
There are several ways through which additional aid for both Ukraine and Israel could be legislated. One option involves Congress contemplating a separate spending bill that combines support for both countries, similar to a spending proposal President Biden put forward in August, which integrated funds for Ukraine, disaster relief, and border security.
Alternatively, funding for both nations could be incorporated into a broader spending bill that Congress is required to approve later this year to ensure the federal government remains operational once the temporary spending measure expires next month.
(With inputs from agencies)
This commitment sparked concerns about whether Washington could enhance defense aid to Israel without endangering assistance for Ukraine, particularly in light of the Republican lawmakers’ removal of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and their failure to appoint a successor.
Officials from the Biden administration maintain that Washington can indeed manage both commitments, although they acknowledge that there will be challenges ahead.
Here are some important factors which may impact US aid to Israel and Ukraine
US Congress in state of chaos and dysfunction
The US Congress, which controls spending, is in a state of chaos and dysfunction, making it difficult to pass legislation that would authorize additional funding for both Israel and Ukraine. The House of Representatives, where spending bills usually originate, has no permanent speaker after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy by hard-right Republicans, some of whom oppose aid to Ukraine. The Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, faces filibuster threats from Republicans who want to block Biden’s agenda. Moreover, the US government is facing a potential shutdown in a few weeks if Congress fails to pass a budget or a stopgap measure. Therefore, it is possible that any request for more aid to Israel could crowd out or delay the assistance to Ukraine, which is already facing a shortage of weapons and equipment as it battles Russian-backed separatists.
Biden admin needs support from US Congress
On Tuesday, President Biden announced that his administration had initiated the delivery of extra military support to Israel, including interceptors to reinforce the Iron Dome defense system. He emphasized that upon Congress’s return, urgent measures would be proposed to address the crucial national security needs of our essential allies.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said that the US needs additional support from Congress to be able to increase its production and delivery of munitions, which are in high demand by both allies. The US has already spent more than $46 billion on security aid for Ukraine since 2014, when Russia first invaded parts of its territory, and more than $38 billion on military assistance for Israel under a 10-year deal signed in 2016. The US also has other commitments and priorities around the world, such as countering China’s rise, supporting NATO allies, and dealing with humanitarian crises.
What history says about US aid
The US has a history and reputation of being able to provide military assistance to multiple allies simultaneously, even in times of crisis or conflict. The US has been the world’s largest arms exporter for decades, supplying weapons and equipment to dozens of countries around the world. The US has also been involved in several wars and interventions in different regions at the same time, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and others. The US has demonstrated its ability to mobilize its resources and capacity quickly and effectively when needed, such as after the 9/11 attacks or during the Arab Spring.
The Biden administration and congressional Democrats are weighing tying legislation for additional military support for both countries together, hoping to gain bipartisan support and avoid opposition from some Republicans who are against aid to Ukraine.
There are several ways through which additional aid for both Ukraine and Israel could be legislated. One option involves Congress contemplating a separate spending bill that combines support for both countries, similar to a spending proposal President Biden put forward in August, which integrated funds for Ukraine, disaster relief, and border security.
Alternatively, funding for both nations could be incorporated into a broader spending bill that Congress is required to approve later this year to ensure the federal government remains operational once the temporary spending measure expires next month.
(With inputs from agencies)