Happy Navy Birthday everyone! We certainly hope that you spend some time this weekend celebrating this important occasion because, let’s be honest, there is little good news to report on this week. The death toll continues to rise from Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel, the House still lacks a Speaker, and a United States Senator has been charged with acting as a foreign agent. This author will take comfort in watching his beloved Philadelphia Phillies advance to the National League Championship Series and hopes that each of you may also find something positive to focus on over the coming days.
First, let’s cover the situation unfolding in the Middle East. Last Saturday, Hamas operatives crossed the border into Israel backed by a massive volley of rockets. The attack, which appeared to take both Israeli and American intelligence by surprise, left hundreds dead including nearly 300 people attending a music festival. Dozens more were taken back to Gaza as hostages. Israel responded immediately with aerial bombardments, but over the subsequent days they have amassed their forces along the Gaza border in preparation for a largescale ground assault. The United States seeks to prevent an escalation of the conflict by sending two aircraft carriers to the region in order to deter Iran and other antagonistic forces in the area from launching attacks of their own. The Pentagon announced the movement of the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group on Sunday and a second carrier strike group, led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, will be departing Norfolk, VA, for the Mediterranean this week .
In Congress, things are still in a state of chaos as an attempt to find a new Speaker of the House collapsed. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise was able to secure the support of his caucus in a closed door GOP meeting, but shortly afterward a number of GOP hardliners made it clear that they would vote against him on the floor. Shortly thereafter, Scalise dropped out of the race for Speaker. This turmoil comes amidst a looming deadline to prevent a government shutdown, and amidst a growing need for American aid to be sent to both Ukraine and Israel.
And Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey has been accused of acting as a foreign agent. He has thus far remained defiant of growing calls among his Democratic colleagues for him to resign from Congress.
