• While I’m openly in favor of supporting Ukraine, it’s important to note that the vast majority of this type of military aid is provided in kind.

    So really, it’s a proposal to give US Defense contractors $100b+ to replenish and restock the DOD with new kit and munitions for the old kit and munitions that we’re providing to Ukraine. Which then get into the use accounting tricks e.g. depreciation values, etc.

    The annual military aid to Israel is a little different, it’s more like a loss leader coupon: give Israel money that they have to spend with US Defense contractors, which then also incentivizes them spending their own budget on complementary systems that can be integrated with those systems, munitions, support contracts, etc.

    Although in this case, I believe it’s primarily munitions and other kit that the DOD already has in warehouses.

    This is oversimplified, but I just see these headline figures always being confused for pallets of cash.

  • I can understand the funds for Ukraine 100%. They are fighting a giant aggressor that has superior numbers.

    But doesn’t Israel have a pretty huge and well equipped army considering their population? Especially compared to Hamas that is a guerrilla force.

    Also the fighting is limited to a area that is fenced in by them, Egypt and the Mediterranean. What kind of new military equipment worth 14 billion would be needed?

    It’s also ironic to support a conflict with 14 billion and on the other side plan 9 billion for humanitarian aid to combat the misery needed because of it.

    • I broadly agree with you, but would point out that the conflict isn’t necessarily limited to Gaza. There’ve been rockets flying back and forth across the Lebanese border, sporadic violence in the West Bank, and there’s always tension over the Golan Heights. Israel could find itself fighting a multi-front war against Hamas in Gaza, Lebanon/Hezbollah in the north west, Syria in the north east and Jordan in the east.

      Not to mention Egypt aren’t exactly their best buds either, and a US warship recently intercepted missiles coming towards Israel from Houthi rebels in Yemen.

  • This is the best summary I could come up with:


    Some Republican lawmakers have grown skeptical of the need to fund Ukraine’s war with Russia, and have threatened to halt government altogether to put an end to chronic U.S. budget deficits and fiscal spending fueled by $31.4 trillion in debt.

    “The world is watching and the American people rightly expect their leaders to come together and deliver on these priorities,” said Biden’s budget director, Shalanda Young, in a letter to acting House Speaker Patrick McHenry.

    She also told Congress of plans to submit another request for funding to deal with natural disasters, high-speed internet, child care and wild-land firefighter pay “in coming days.”

    Some $14.3 billion of Friday’s funding request for the 2024 fiscal year would be dedicated to Israel, much of it to support the country’s air and missile defense systems and other weapons purchases.

    The request includes billions to replenish the country’s military equipment, and would provide economic and security aid and support for refugees in the United States.

    “The unwavering bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States is incredibly encouraging for all of our warriors and for our entire nation,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Friday on social media.


    The original article contains 735 words, the summary contains 194 words. Saved 74%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!