Pres. Biden pledges increased military support for Israel amid concerns over aid for Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden has made a commitment to strengthen military support for Israel in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants that has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Israelis. This has resulted in a retaliatory strike on the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip. However, concerns have been raised about whether the U.S. can increase defense aid to Israel without jeopardizing assistance for Ukraine. The recent ousting of House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy by Republican lawmakers and the failure to name a replacement has further complicated the situation.

The chaotic state of the U.S. Congress, where spending is controlled, makes it difficult to pass legislation that would authorize additional funding for both countries. The House of Representatives, where spending bills usually originate, is currently without a permanent speaker, with some hard-right Republicans opposing aid to Ukraine. The Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority, is facing threats of filibuster from Republicans who want to block President Biden's agenda. Additionally, there is a potential government shutdown looming if Congress fails to pass a budget or a stopgap measure.

As a result, any request for increased aid to Israel could potentially delay or crowd out assistance to Ukraine, which is already facing a shortage of weapons and equipment in its battle against Russian-backed separatists. However, the Biden administration remains optimistic that both commitments can be managed. President Biden has already initiated the delivery of additional military support to Israel, including interceptors to reinforce the Iron Dome defense system. He has emphasized the need for urgent measures to address the national security needs of essential allies, promising to propose such measures upon Congress's return. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has stated that the U.S. requires additional support from Congress in order to increase production and delivery of munitions, which are in high demand by both allies.

Since 2014, the U.S. has spent over $46 billion on security aid for Ukraine and over $38 billion on military assistance for Israel under a 10-year deal signed in 2016. However, the U.S. also has other commitments and priorities worldwide, such as countering China's rise, supporting NATO allies, and dealing with humanitarian crises. While there are challenges ahead, history has shown that the U.S. has the ability to provide military assistance to multiple allies simultaneously, even during times of crisis or conflict. The U.S. has a long-standing reputation as the world's largest arms exporter, supplying weapons and equipment to numerous countries.

The U.S. has also been involved in multiple wars and interventions in various regions simultaneously. The Biden administration and congressional Democrats are considering options to legislate additional aid for both Ukraine and Israel and are aiming to gain bipartisan support. One option involves combining support for both countries into a separate spending bill, similar to a proposal made by President Biden in August. Another option is to incorporate funding for both nations into a broader spending bill that Congress will need to approve later this year to ensure the government remains operational after the temporary spending measure expires next month. Overall, while there are obstacles to overcome, the Biden administration is determined to provide the necessary support to both Israel and Ukraine and believes that finding a solution is possible with the support of Congress.