All articles tagged with #arms transfers
The U.S. and its allies have expressed grave concern over North Korea's increasing cooperation with Russia, particularly regarding arms transfers used against Ukraine. A U.N. report confirmed a North Korean ballistic missile strike on Kharkiv, prompting a joint statement from multiple countries condemning the violation of U.N. sanctions and urging an immediate halt to these activities.
The Biden administration approved the transfer of thousands more bombs to Israel on the same day Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed seven aid workers for the charity group World Central Kitchen, despite growing calls for the United States to condition such support on greater protection for civilians in the war zone. The move has sparked global condemnation and raised questions about the administration's commitment to humanitarian concerns in the region.
The US State Department has received written assurances from Israel regarding the use of US-supplied defense equipment, with a deadline until early May to assess their credibility. President Biden has the option to suspend further arms transfers if Israel's pledges are found lacking. The delivery of the assurance letter comes amid a contentious debate over Israel's military offensive in Gaza, with concerns raised by the Biden administration and international aid groups about violations of international humanitarian law and restrictions on humanitarian aid. The administration faces pressure from Congress and advocacy groups to withhold military assistance if Israel does not allow more aid to reach civilians in Gaza.
The United States has reversed a Trump-era policy and now considers new Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories to be "inconsistent with international law," marking a return to a longstanding U.S. position. Meanwhile, U.N. human rights experts urge nations to stop exporting arms to Israel, citing potential war crimes in Gaza. Additionally, a cargo ship struck by a Houthi missile in the Red Sea is partly submerged but still afloat, prompting concerns about arms transfers and maritime security in the region.
The United States and nearly 50 other countries, including France, Israel, Germany, and Spain, have issued a joint statement condemning the transfer of ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia, which were then used in attacks on Ukraine. The statement calls on Russia and North Korea to immediately cease activities violating United Nations Security Council resolutions and demands that Russia be held accountable for violating international obligations. The U.S. plans to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council.
The United States and its partners have issued a joint statement condemning arms transfers between North Korea and Russia, accusing Moscow of procuring North Korean ballistic missiles and using them against Ukraine. The statement, signed by the US, the UK, the EU, Australia, Germany, Canada, and nearly 40 other nations, expressed deep concern about the security implications of this cooperation in Europe, the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region, and globally. The White House plans to raise these arms deals at the United Nations Security Council and demand that Russia be held accountable.
There is a debate about whether the US should condition its military support for Israel due to the civilian casualties caused in Gaza. While President Biden initially expressed openness to the idea, a recent report suggests that the Biden administration has put conditions on continued US support for Israel's war on Gaza. However, instead of using existing frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, Biden is communicating conditions behind closed doors, raising concerns about accountability and the rule of law. Despite concerns about civilian casualties, the Biden administration continues to send arms to Israel, highlighting the need for reform in the US-Israel relationship.
Human Rights Watch has called for the suspension of arms transfers to both Israel and Palestinian armed groups due to the risk of grave abuses and war crimes. Israel and Palestinian armed groups have been accused of committing serious abuses, including deliberate killings of civilians and acts of collective punishment. Human Rights Watch urges Israel's key allies, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, to suspend military assistance and arms sales to Israel. Similarly, Iran and other governments are urged to cease providing arms to Palestinian armed groups. The ongoing violations of the laws of war by both sides make countries complicit in these abuses if they continue to provide military assistance.
Josh Paul, the director of congressional and public affairs at the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, has resigned in protest of the Biden administration's decision to continue sending weapons and ammunition to Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. In his resignation letter, Paul criticized the administration's "blind support for one side" and expressed concern that the ongoing violence would lead to more suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians. He also highlighted the failure of existing legal provisions to prevent American weapons from reaching human rights violators. Paul's resignation has garnered support from colleagues and congressional staff members who share his concerns.
Poland has announced that it will no longer send weapons to Ukraine, one of its staunchest allies, following a dispute over grain imports. President Zelenskiy accused Poland of playing into Russia's hands by banning Ukrainian grain imports to protect Polish farmers. The European Commission recently ended the import ban, but Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have defied the move. The issue has strained relations between Poland and Ukraine, with Poland warning of further retaliatory measures. Ukraine plans to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the grain decision, while Romania has offered to work with Ukraine on a grain export control plan.
Poland has accused Russian spies of attempting to sabotage Western arms transfers to Ukraine by launching a cyberattack on a Polish company that produces equipment for the Ukrainian military. The Polish government has reportedly expelled four Russian diplomats in response to the alleged espionage.