| | | | |  | | By Matt Berg and Eric Bazail-Eimil | |  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s team pointed NatSec Daily to a statement, in which the New York Democrat said it’s “a good thing that a serious discussion has now begun about how to ensure Israel’s future security and prosperity once Hamas has been defeated.” | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | With help from Joe Gould and Lee Hudson Subscribe here | Email Matt| Email Eric Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER’s scathing remarks about Israel are still reverberating four days later — providing a tense backdrop to President JOE BIDEN’s call with Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU today. In the call, Biden reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security, national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN told reporters this afternoon. But Sullivan was clear about Biden’s position that a large-scale invasion into the city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering, should be avoided entirely. “Israel has not presented us or the world with a plan for how or where they would safely move those civilians, let alone feed and house them and ensure access to basic things like sanitation,” Sullivan said, an apparent reference to the Israeli plans announced last week. “A major ground operation there would be a mistake.” Asked if Schumer’s comments came up in the call, Sullivan said Netanyahu raised concerns about “a variety of things” but wouldn’t get into specifics. Schumer’s speech didn’t affect the call between the leaders, Sullivan said: “From President Biden’s perspective, this is not a question of politics. It's not a question of public statements. It's a question of policy and strategy.” Still, it’s notable that Biden is making forceful demands so soon after Schumer called for new elections in Israel. There was a deliverable from the call that will likely please Schumer and aligned lawmakers: Israel agreed to send an interagency team to Washington to discuss alternative plans for Rafah. The majority leader’s speech was bound to come up — Netanyahu blasted Schumer on Sunday, characterizing the highest-ranking Jewish lawmaker’s remarks as “totally inappropriate.” Asked for a response, Schumer’s team pointed NatSec Daily to a statement, in which the New York Democrat said it’s “a good thing that a serious discussion has now begun about how to ensure Israel’s future security and prosperity once Hamas has been defeated.” But Netanyahu shouldn’t take the majority leader’s remarks lightly, because top lawmakers like him have Biden’s ear. The Israeli leader “may want to act like he doesn't care, but I think he's smart enough to care,” BRADLEY BOWMAN, an analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, told NatSec Daily. “It would be highly unwise for Prime Minister Netanyahu to blow off what Senator Schumer was saying.” In a call with NatSec Daily, MATT DUSS, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, cited Sen. NANCY PELOSI’s (D-Calif.) response on Sunday to the speech as evidence of Schumer’s influence. Israel’s “reputation is at risk” as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, she said, shifting to a more critical position than she has previously espoused. There’s now “a very serious and real conversation” about conditioning U.S. military assistance to Israel because of Schumer’s speech, argued Duss, who worked as Sen. BERNIE SANDERS’ (I-Vt.) foreign policy adviser.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Turn the Entire Battlefield into your Field of Vision
Today's military landscape features systems and platforms engineered for standalone operations. Embracing our 21st Century Security vision, Lockheed Martin is at the forefront of defense innovation, weaving connections between defense and digital domains. Learn more. | | | | | ISRAELI HOSPITAL RAID: Israeli forces raided the Al-Shifa Hospital — Gaza’s largest medical facility — again this morning, claiming that senior Hamas officials regrouped there, The New York Times’ YAN ZHUANG, AMEERA HAROUDA and HIBA YAZBEK report. Israel’s military said it killed 20 militants in the operation, including a senior Hamas militant who was “armed and hiding in the compound.” Hamas didn’t confirm the death or immediately respond to a request for comment. FAMINE IN GAZA: Half of the population in Gaza is on the brink of famine, the world’s leading body on food emergencies said today, per our own PAULA ANDRÉS. If Israeli forces launch a ground offensive against Rafah, 1.1 million people will face “catastrophic” conditions by mid-July, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said in a report. “The situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” the report says, adding that famine is projected and imminent in the north and “there is a risk of famine across the rest of the Gaza Strip.” PUTIN HIM IN HIS PLACE: Shocking nobody, Russian leader VLADIMIR PUTIN claimed victory in this weekend’s elections after officials said he won a record 87 percent of the vote. But Western countries aren’t buying it, as our own DENIS LEVEN and ELENA GIORDANO report. In a video on X, Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY called Putin the “Russian dictator” and added that Putin is “simply sick for power and is doing everything to rule forever.” Italy’s Foreign Minister ANTONIO TAJANI said the “elections were neither free nor fair,” while Czech Foreign Minister JAN LIPAVSKÝ blasted them a “farce and parody.” China, though, is hailing Putin’s “re-election.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson LIN JIAN told reporters today, adding that Beijing believes “the China-Russia relations will continue to make progress.” Read: Some advice for Russia’s newest opposition leader by our own NAHAL TOOSI KIM RESUMES MISSILE TESTS: North Korea again fired a series of short-range ballistic missiles into the waters to its east this morning, the Associated Press’ HYUNG-JIN KIM and MARI YAMAGUCHI report. Three missiles were fired towards Japan, none of them landing in Japan’s exclusive economic area or causing damage. The launches coincided with the end of joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korean militaries and a visit by Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN to Seoul for a democracy summit. The tests were the first known missile activities from Pyongyang in over a month. IRAQ GOES NUCLEAR: The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency announced today that it is helping Iraq develop a civilian nuclear program, according to Reuters’ AHMED RASHEED. RAFAEL GROSSI, the head of the IAEA, met Iraq's prime minister in Baghdad today as part of a trip scoping out the construction of an Iraqi civilian nuclear reactor. Iraqi experts will visit Vienna in coming days to set up a plan for the program. NIGER SUSPENDS MILITARY TIES: Niger suspended military cooperation with the United States over the weekend after Washington accused the country’s military junta of exploring a uranium deal with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. Western officials became worried this year that talks about access to the country’s rich uranium reserves between Tehran and Niger’s military junta were reaching an “advanced stage.” After a tense visit by U.S. officials, a junta spokesperson accused Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs MOLLY PHEE of having a “condescending attitude” and announced “with immediate effect” that “American presence on the territory of the Republic of Niger is illegal.” IT’S MONDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at mberg@politico.com and ebazail@politico.com, and follow us on X at @mattberg33 and @ebazaileimil. While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s national security team: @alexbward, @nahaltoosi, @PhelimKine, @laraseligman, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @leehudson, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco, @reporterjoe, and @JGedeon1.
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | | | TRUMP’S THOUGHTS: Former President DONALD TRUMP made a string of statements about world leaders over the weekend, providing a glimpse into how he would act if re-elected in November:
- On North Korean leader KIM JONG UN: “It could happen,” Trump said on a hot mic, speaking of Kim visiting the White House. “I would have him … He speaks and his people sit up to attention. I want my people to do the same.”
- On Netanyahu: Israel needs to end its war in Gaza quickly and “finish the problem,” he said on Fox News over the weekend.”
- On Putin: The Kremlin leader was “probably” involved in the death of opposition leader ALEXEI NAVALNY, Trump also said on Fox News. Navalny was “a young man, so statistically he’d be alive for a long time … so something happened that was unusual.”
On top of all that, the former president said there could be a “bloodbath” if Biden wins in November, but didn’t explain further. Biden’s campaign is already taking advantage of it.
| | TICK TOCK FOR CHINA COMMITTEE? The House Select Committee on China’s future is uncertain after legislation passed to force the sale of, or ban, TikTok, our own GAVIN BADE, ARI HAWKINS and MEREDITH LEE HILL report. The TikTok legislation drew widespread bipartisan support. But there is little consensus in the House over whether to extend the panel’s mandate past this year, or pursue more of its policy recommendations beyond the TikTok bill — like ending China’s privileged trade status with the United States. The China Select Committee has “no power” but “moonlights in stealing our jurisdiction,” said a staffer for a member on a House standing committee, who said their office would not endorse the renewal of the Select Committee but asked to remain anonymous to detail internal deliberations. Disagreements over the future of the committee show the deep divides within Congress over how aggressive to be in handling the economic and security threats from China. And it’s likely just a taste of debates to come if Trump is elected president in November and moves unilaterally to impose much higher tariffs on China, as he’s threatened on the campaign trail. WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: Six more nations today formally signed on to a U.S.-led pledge to use spyware technology responsibly and take measures to prevent the malicious use of the tech, our own MAGGIE MILLER reports (for Pros!). The new countries that signed on to the pledge — first rolled out last year with just under a dozen nations signing on — are Ireland, Poland, Finland, Germany, South Korea and Japan. The new group of signatories signal a growing concern in the international community about spyware being used against government officials, journalists and others, and comes after several recent months of new spyware misuse incidents coming to light in Europe.
| | | | JOIN US ON 3/21 FOR A TALK ON FINANCIAL LITERACY: Americans from all communities should be able to save, build wealth, and escape generational poverty, but doing so requires financial literacy. How can government and industry ensure access to digital financial tools to help all Americans achieve this? Join POLITICO on March 21 as we explore how Congress, regulators, financial institutions and nonprofits are working to improve financial literacy education for all. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY — SENATORS SLAM PENTAGON OVERSIGHT: The Defense Department must become more proactive in how it tracks and monitors potential mergers and acquisitions, Sens. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-Mass.) and MIKE ROUNDS (R-S.D.) said in a letter to Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN today, our own LEE HUDSON writes in. That’s because the Government Accountability Office found “multiple inadequacies” in the Pentagon’s oversight practices, the pair Armed Services Committee members argued in the letter. They argue there’s a lack of criteria to prioritize mergers and acquisitions that pose the highest risks. They also claimed the oversight office is not adequately staffed to review transactions and failed to monitor deals once approved. DOD is focusing on high-dollar-value transactions and often not examining smaller deals involving companies that supply critical production, unique items, or are the sole providers, the senators wrote.
| | | |   | | | | | GRAHAM IN KYIV: Sen. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.) is in Kyiv today and met with Zelenskyy, our own ANTHONY ADRAGNA reports. Graham, who skipped the Munich Security Conference earlier this year and opposed the supplemental bill, was “informed” by the Ukrainian president “of the frontline situation and our army's priority needs." ICYMI — U.N. relief agency not a tool of Hamas, Van Hollen says by our own DAVID COHEN
| | RAHM DEFENDS HIS TWEETS: U.S. Ambassador to Japan RAHM EMANUEL is defending his spicy tweets about China, according to Semafor’s MORGAN CHALFANT. The pugilistic Clinton and Obama aide turned diplomat told Semafor that tweets from last year that poked fun at a series of dismissals of top Chinese officials were more than appropriate in the face of dishonesty from Beijing. Those tweets reportedly frustrated the White House, which at the time was trying to lower tensions with Beijing. “All I said was where is this guy? You have 400 nukes. You want to be a responsible superpower. Don’t you think maybe you should tell people where your secretary of Defense went?” Emanuel told Chalfant. “There seems to be an explicit effort by China to not be honest and forthright with anybody else.” He also denied he’s toned it down after pushback from the White House, saying that his tweets have also been “factual.” There’s no love lost between Emanuel and the Chinese government. Earlier this year, the Global Times, China’s state-owned newspaper, called Emanuel “anti-China” and claimed he was “driving a wedge between China and Japan.” CUBAN EXILES BLAMED FOR PROTESTS: Cuba’s government is accusing the Cuban exile community in the United States of fomenting a string of protests across the island yesterday. In a thread on X, Cuban President MIGUEL DÍAZ-CANEL said that “enemies of the Revolution” were “exploiting” protests in major cities like Santiago de Cuba and Bayamó and that “radical terrorists in the United States, whom we have denounced on previous occasions, are encouraging actions against the internal order of the country.” The Foreign Ministry also summoned the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Havana BENJAMIN ZIFF and issued an official note of protest today, according to a Cuban government release. It didn’t take long for Cuban American politicians in Miami, who promoted clips from protests on social media, to fire back. Rep. CARLOS GIMENEZ (R-Fla.) wrote on X that “the brutal regime in #Cuba is blaming the Cuban exile community in #Florida for the protests overtaking the island. The Cuban people are tired of 64 years of murderous Communist oppression — they want freedom & we must help the Cuban people in their quest for liberty!” The Sunday protests were the largest showings of discontent against the island’s communist regime since a wave of anti-government demonstrations shook the country in July 2021. They come as Cuba’s economy struggles as a result of U.S. sanctions, mismanagement from the central government and political crises in benefactor states like Russia and Venezuela.
| | | | — QinetiQ US tapped CHARLES FIELDEN to serve as the executive vice president and general manager of the Intelligence, Cyber and Information Advantage business unit. He previously worked as director at Northrop Grumman. — Austin tapped JAMES GLYNN to serve as commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and commanding general of Fleet Marine Forces Pacific. DUKE PIRAK was also named as director of the Air National Guard at the Pentagon.
| | — Sen. BERNIE SANDERS, Foreign Affairs: A revolution in American foreign policy — LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, The New York Times: The unforgivable silence on Sudan — WALLY ADEYEMO, The National: Houthi actions are hurting the people of the region and hopes for Red Sea prosperity
| | — Hudson Institute, 9:30 a.m.: America's commitment to defend Taiwan — Atlantic Council, 10 a.m.: U.S. security partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean — Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, 10 a.m.: An era of economic warfare: examining the EU's economic security strategy — Heritage Foundation, 11 a.m.: A book discussion on "We Win, and They Lose: A Conservative Strategy to Win the New Cold War" — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 11 a.m.: Are South Africa-U.S. relations at a turning point? — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, 12 p.m.: A book discussion on "Russia and Latvia: A Case of Sharp Power" — Georgetown University, 12 p.m.: Sudan's vital humanitarian and political situation — House Foreign Affairs Committee, 1 p.m.: A hearing on "A 'Strategic Failure': Biden's Withdrawal, America's Generals, and the Taliban Takeover" — Government Executive Media Group, 2 p.m.: The state of the Marine Corps — Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2 p.m.: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: privacy and civil liberties reforms — Institute for Policy Studies, 6:00 p.m.: A book discussion on "Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti." Thanks to our editor, Heidi Vogt, whose edits are never appropriate and shouldn’t get involved in our process. We also thank our producer, Gregory Svirnovskiy, who we would support in any election against Heidi.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Turn the Entire Battlefield into your Field of Vision
Today's military landscape features systems and platforms engineered for standalone operations. Embracing our 21st Century Security vision, Lockheed Martin is at the forefront of defense innovation, weaving connections between defense and digital domains. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
