On Friday, the Biden administration announced a new $275 million weapons package for Ukraine that includes ammunition for the HIMARS rockets systems, artillery shells, anti-tank weapons, and other types of military equipment.
The weapons are being provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows President Biden to ship equipment straight from US military stockpiles to Ukraine.
Since President Biden signed a bill into law last month that included $61 billion for the proxy war in Ukraine, his administration has used over $9 billion to send more weapons to Ukraine. The most significant package was worth $6 billion using the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows the US to purchase weapons for Ukraine.
The latest weapons package comes as Russia is making gains across the front, including in its new offensive in Kharkiv. The new US aid is only expected to prolong the conflict and not help Ukraine achieve victory, as Russia has a significant advantage in manpower and weapons production and is using electronic warfare to make many US weapons ineffective.
According to the Pentagon, the $275 million weapons package includes:
- Ammunition for HIMARS
- 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds
- 60mm mortar rounds
- Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles
- Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems
- Precision aerial munitions
- Small arms and additional rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades
- Demolitions munitions
- Anti-armor mines
- Tactical vehicles to recover equipment
- Helmets, body armor, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment
- Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment
The Pentagon also released a fact sheet that said it had committed more than $51 billion in weapons for Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.
A real problem is that all the “informed” “intelligent” people I know read The New York Times and take it for gospel. Still. Why it’s not called Pravda I’ll never understand. It’s like 1984 come alive in 2024.
Well, in 1984, the sane people were in charge while 2024, the sane people have died and the insane ones have one foot over their graves and don’t give a damn about the rest of us.
From ED’s post:
How Reagan Armed Saddam with Chemical Weapons
While the August 18 NYT article added new details about the extent of US military collaboration with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during Iraq’s 1980-88 war with Iran, it omitted the most outrageous aspect of the scandal: not only did Ronald Reagan’s Washington turn a blind-eye to the Hussein regime’s repeated use of chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers and Iraq’s Kurdish minority, but the US helped Iraq develop its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.
So, maybe less insane, but not really sane.
I’m aware of Reagan’s transgressions. But some would just call that a business transaction. Immoral? Yes. Evil? Yes.
But not insane.
Just a lesser version of today’s insanity. Sane would be doing no evil.
Since Pravda means “truth”, the NYT will have nothing to do with it.
These are elements that they will be using or have used, provided by the US or allies? I wouldn’t take it at face value that Russia is necessarily the threat thereof.
How Reagan Armed Saddam with Chemical Weapons
While the August 18 NYT article added new details about the extent of US military collaboration with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during Iraq’s 1980-88 war with Iran, it omitted the most outrageous aspect of the scandal: not only did Ronald Reagan’s Washington turn a blind-eye to the Hussein regime’s repeated use of chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers and Iraq’s Kurdish minority, but the US helped Iraq develop its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2004/06/17/how-reagan-armed-saddam-with-chemical-weapons/
‘Arms’ are made for hugging, not killing and the US needs to clearly redefine itself…
Be a true and healthy leader, for all of our sakes.
The USA sent 31 mighty M-1 tanks to Ukraine. After seven were easily destroyed, the remainder were withdrawn. The US Army has 2000 M-1 tanks in storage and even more in active service. Yet the recent $61 billion aid package doesn’t include any M-1 tanks. Here’s why: