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Biden administration looking to slow weapon sales to Israel in effort to scale back military assault: Report on January 28, 2024 at 9:22 pm
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Published
7 months agoon
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The Biden administration is looking into slowing down weapons sales to Israel in an effort to scale back its military operations in Gaza, according to a report by NBC News.
NBC News reported that the Biden administration is discussing slowing down some of the weapon deliveries to Israel to convince Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back his military assault in Gaza, citing three current U.S. officials and one former official. The sources told NBC that the administration is determining what possible weaponry can be used as leverage against Netanyahu, but that no final decision has been made.
The U.S. has supported Israel in its war against militant group Hamas since the group’s attack on Israel last October but tensions between Biden and Netanyahu have increasingly become public on the world stage, particularly over who controls Gaza after the war and disagreement over a two-state solution.
The Biden administration asked Congress for $10.6 billion in additional assistance to Israel in a supplemental funding request last year, but the full request remains stagnant in Congress as senators try to hash out a border security deal as part of the package request. The Biden administration has twice approved emergency sales of weapons to Israel, which bypassed congressional review.
A White House official told The Hill that there “has been no request” from the White House for the Department of Defense to slow down any weapon deliveries to Israel. The official also said the White House was not aware of any request that would review what weapons it would potentially “slow walk.”
According to NBC’s sources, Israeli officials have continued to ask the U.S. for more weapons, including aerial bombs, ammunition and air defenses. Officials have discussed using 155 mm artillery rounds and joint direct attack munitions as leverage to get Israel to open up humanitarian corridors for civilians, NBC News reported.
The outlet noted that administration officials are more focused on potentially slowing down offensive weaponry rather than defensive weaponry like air defenses. Officials also considered offering Israel more of the weapons it asked for as an incentive to get them to agree to some of the U.S.’s requests, the report said.
The U.S. has been increasing pressure on Israel to scale back its operations in Gaza and take measures to protect civilian life. White House national security council spokesperson John Kirby said earlier this month that it was the “right time” for Israel to scale back its war in Gaza.
The sources told NBC that administration officials are frustrated that Israel has not always heeded their calls to minimize threats to civilians.
A national security council spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill that the U.S. has not changed its policy in its approach to Israel.
“As the President has made clear, he believes that the approach he has pursued has been more effective,” the spokesperson said. “Israel has a right and obligation to defend themselves against the threat of Hamas, while abiding by international humanitarian law and protecting civilian lives, and we remain committed to support Israel in its fight against Hamas. We have done so since Oct 7, and will continue to. There is no change to our policy.”
The Hill has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.
The Biden administration is looking into slowing down weapons sales to Israel in an effort to scale back its military operations in Gaza, according to a report by NBC News. NBC News reported that the Biden administration is discussing slowing down some of the weapon deliveries to Israel to convince Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale…
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Humans Need Not Apply: The AI Candidate Promising to Disrupt Democracy
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Published
3 months agoon
June 15, 2024![](https://bolanlemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-15-at-6.46.14 PM.png)
The rise of AI Steve, the artificial intelligence candidate running for a seat in the UK Parliament, has sparked a heated debate about the role of AI in governance and the potential disruption it could bring to traditional democratic processes.
Steven Endacott, the human force behind AI Steve, envisions his AI co-pilot as a conduit for direct democracy, enabling constituents to engage with the AI, share concerns, and shape its policy platform through a voting system of “validators.” Endacott has pledged to vote in Parliament according to the AI’s constituent-driven platform, even if it conflicts with his personal views.
Proponents argue that AI Steve can revolutionize politics by bringing more voices into the process and ensuring that policies truly reflect the will of the people. They claim that an AI candidate can engage in up to 10,000 conversations simultaneously, allowing for unprecedented levels of public participation and input.
However, critics raise valid concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential for AI systems to be manipulated or influenced by their creators, data limitations, or external actors. There are also questions about whether an AI can fully grasp the nuances and human elements involved in complex political issues.
Some argue that AI Steve is merely a clever marketing ploy to garner attention and votes, rather than a genuine effort to “humanize” politics. There are fears that the use of AI in elections could undermine faith in electoral outcomes and democratic processes if voters become aware of potential scams or manipulation.
Beyond the specific case of AI Steve, the rise of AI candidates and the increasing use of AI in political campaigns and elections raise broader questions about the integrity of democratic systems and the need for effective regulations and guidelines.
Anti-democratic actors and authoritarian regimes may seek to exploit AI technologies for censorship, surveillance, and suppressing dissent under the guise of enhancing governance. There are also concerns about the potential for an “AI arms race” between political parties to develop and deploy the most sophisticated AI technologies, further eroding public trust.
As AI tools become more advanced and accessible, upholding electoral integrity will require proactive efforts to establish guardrails, transparency measures, and accountability frameworks around their use in politics. Policymakers, advocates, and citizens must work together to ensure that AI is leveraged as a force for a better and more inclusive democracy, rather than a tool for manipulation or consolidation of power.
The rise of AI candidates like AI Steve serves as a wake-up call for democratic societies to grapple with the implications of artificial intelligence in governance and to strike the right balance between harnessing its potential benefits and mitigating its risks to the democratic process.
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Author: Bolanle Media Staff
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Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering abandoning the US dollar for oil trade settlements, a move that could shake the foundations of the global financial system. For decades, the petrodollar system has propped up the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency, with Saudi Arabia insisting on dollar payments for its vast oil exports.
However, recent comments from Saudi officials hint at exploring alternatives to the dollar amid growing tensions with the US over various geopolitical issues and the rise of economic powerhouses like China.
Implications of a Petrodollar Shift
If Saudi Arabia abandons the petrodollar, the implications could be significant:
1. Dollar Dominance Eroded: The dollar’s reserve currency status could weaken, potentially leading to a decline in its value.
2. Global Financial Instability: A sudden shift could trigger volatility in global markets as investors adjust portfolios.
3. Geopolitical Realignment: The move could signal Saudi alignment with China and challenge US economic hegemony.
Challenges and Uncertainties
While the prospect is significant, challenges remain:
1. Finding a suitable alternative currency with the dollar’s liquidity and stability.
2. Potential economic disruption for Saudi Arabia and trading partners.
3. Political backlash and strained relations with the US and allies.
As the world watches, it remains uncertain whether Saudi Arabia’s comments signal a negotiating tactic or a profound shift in the global financial order.
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Author: Bolanle Media Staff
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X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has made a significant policy shift by officially permitting adult content on its platform with some restrictions and guidelines.
In an update to its rules, X stated that users can now share “consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior” as long as it is properly labeled and not prominently displayed in areas like profile pictures or header images.
“We recognize that many of our users are adults who want to freely express themselves by sharing legal adult content,” said an X spokesperson. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to protect minors and prevent exposure to explicit material without proper labeling.”
Under the new guidelines, users who “regularly post” adult content must adjust their settings to automatically mark images and videos as sensitive content, which blurs or hides the media by default. By default, users under 18 or who haven’t entered their birth date cannot view this sensitive adult content.
The policy prohibits content “promoting exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization or harm to minors, and obscene behaviors.” It applies to all adult content, whether photographic, animated, or AI-generated.
X has stated that it will monitor user-generated content and adjust account settings for those who fail to properly mark pornographic posts. Similar rules and enforcement will apply to violent content as well.
The move aligns X with Apple’s app store guidelines, which allow apps with adult content as long as it is hidden by default and behind proper age gates and content warnings.
While adult content was already present on X, this policy update officially permits and regulates it, aiming to balance freedom of expression for consenting adults with protecting minors from exposure to explicit material.
However, enforcing these rules consistently may prove challenging for X’s reduced content moderation teams following recent layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
The policy shift has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising X for embracing adult expression while others raise concerns about the potential for the platform to become inundated with pornographic content despite the restrictions.
As X navigates this new territory, the effectiveness of its labeling requirements, age verification measures, and content moderation efforts will be closely watched by users, regulators, and advocacy groups alike.
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