#security assistance

Biden Announces $425 Million Defense Package for Ukraine President Biden has unveiled a significant $425 million security assistance package aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense against the ongoing aggression from Russia. This announcement comes just as he prepares for his trip to Germany, where he will celebrate the steadfast unity of Western allies in support of Ukraine. In a phone call with…

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to Kyiv to confer with President Zelenskyy and other officials. 

Blinken's visit to the Ukrainian capital -- his second since the war with Russia began more than six months ago -- coincided with the announcement of an additional $625 million tranche of security assistance to support Ukraine, as well as an intended $2.2 billion in long-term investments to bolster the security of Ukraine and 18 other regional countries.

In a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Blinken credited the success of the counteroffensive to the "incredible bravery, resilience of Ukrainians," saying that "fundamentally, what this comes down, I think the reason for this success is this is your homeland, not Russia's. And it's as basic as that."

Sec. Blinken also visited hospitalized children who were injured by indiscriminate Russian bombing.

During his Thursday trip, Blinken, accompanied by US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, visited the National Children's Specialized Hospital Ohmatdyt in Kyiv and met with children who were being treated there -- including some injured in the war. He also met Patron, the mine-sniffing dog who has gained international renown.

Blinken brought some doggie treats for Patron who has become one of the most famous dogs in the world.

And while much of the attention regarding the war has been in the south around Kherson, Ukraine has launched a successful counteroffensive in the east near Kharkiv – the country’s second largest city.

Ukraine advanced 20 km into Russian-held territory in Kharkiv Oblast – ISW 

Ukrainian advances at least 20km into Russian-held territory in eastern Kharkiv Oblast on September 7, recapturing approximately 400 square kilometers of ground, the Institute for Study of War writes in its report.

The surprise offensive is likely exploiting Russian force reallocation in response to the Ukrainian offensive in Kherson Oblast to conduct an opportunistic yet highly effective counteroffensive northwest of Izium. The level of surprise of Russian millbloggers testifies to the level of success of Ukrainian forces.

-WaPo says US pressured Ukraine not to attack inside Russia – Naval war college prof urges changes in security assistance -Peter Beinart worries about another Nabka. – SIPRI has its latest tally of world military expenditures. – Politico sees a “diploma divide” explaining US politics [see second story]. – Facebook has an ad library, Take a look. My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson…

Stevenson’s army, November 4

– Brennan Center report suggests foreign training laws lead to secret wars. – WOTR writers say we don’t need the NSS report. – WOTR has podcast on civ-mil relations. – Politico notes many DOD appointees still await confirmation. My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I…

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes & Loki Characters: Loki (Marvel), James "Bucky" Barnes, Steve Rogers, Adrian Toomes, Thor (Marvel), Frigga | Freyja (Marvel) Additional Tags: Tumblr: capreversebb, mob boss loki, for a certain value of mob boss Loki because Loki, Winter Soldier underboss Summary:

Criminals trying to shake down a god is never a good idea. And afterwards there is always a tiresome power vacuum to be filled.

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Stevenson’s army, August 17

– Michele Flournoy has second thoughts on US counterinsurgency doctrine, writes Fred Kaplan, author of the case study of the doctrinal battle, The Insurgents. – Kori Schake has doubts about how we train foreign armies. – Tom Nichols says we, the US public, are responsible for the Afghan debacle because we wanted out. – WaPo is just out with a tick-tock [“72 hours at Camp David.”] It describes…