newsweek--2020-12-23--Rescinding the Mexico City Policy is Bad for America, Bad for the World | Opinion

Inauguration Day and the weeks that follow should be a time for the new president to unite the country and build an agenda that crosses party lines .
Unfortunately , it seems Joe Biden plans to take the opposite approach , having promised to immediately rescind the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Policy , better known as the Mexico City policy .
As millions of Americans are hurting because of the coronavirus , Biden appears hell-bent on cancelling an extraordinarily effective and life-giving policy .
President Ronald Reagan originally enacted the Mexico City policy to ensure unwilling American taxpayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican president since Reagan has promoted the policy , and President Donald Trump expanded it , applying it not only to the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department but to other agencies distributing foreign health assistance , like the Department of Defense .
This significant change means that billions of taxpayer dollars are protected from paying to promote and subsidize abortion internationally every year .
Unfortunately , Biden can eliminate this pro-life policy with a stroke of a pen .
During the Democratic primary , his campaign promised , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first day in office to withdraw the Mexico City global gag rule . ''
Vice President Kamala Harris wants to go even further and pass legislation permanently repealing the Mexico City policy .
This level of commitment to funding abortion everywhere is , frankly , ghoulish and should concern Americans regardless of political affiliation .
Even abortion supporters do n't think the government should be promoting and funding the practice abroad with the tax dollars of pro-life Americans .
A bipartisan majority of Americans reject Biden and Harris 's radical approach to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppose funding overseas abortions with taxpayer funds , including 61 percent who identify as pro-choice .
Despite the need to focus our dwindling resources on families here in our pandemic-battered economy , Biden wants to endanger unborn babies in countries that should self-determine their values .
It is a cruel act of political expedience to dangle abortion over the head of a needy world .
Abortion is n't health care .
At-risk communities across the globe stand to benefit from the safety net and companionship that comes from having and raising children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund a program that destroys lives and weakens communities , which is exactly what reversing the Mexico City policy will do .
Biden justifies repealing this popular and life-giving policy by claiming it hurts global public health , even though all the evidence shows the opposite .
A State Department review of the Trump policy shows that only eight of 1,340 primary grant awardees declined health care funds because of the abortion prohibition—proof the policy does n't curb critical health assistance in remote parts of the world .
`` In most cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree to the terms of [ the Mexico City policy ] , USAID and/or the prime partner successfully transitioned activities to ensure the continuity of global health assistance , '' reads the report .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement the report is evidence the policy does n't inhibit the United States ' ability to provide much-needed health care and testing to those in third-world countries .
`` This review reaffirms that the United States can continue to meet its critical global health goals while protecting life abroad through its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` The U.S. government is committed to protecting life , the unborn , and the dignity of the human person . ''
A misguided Biden administration would foist a harmful package deal on other countries at the expense , and against the wishes , of American taxpayers .
But the return and expansion of the Mexico City policy under the Trump administration was proof positive that it 's possible to defend the unborn and their mothers while also advancing health and well being around the world .
Jeanne Mancini is president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Inauguration Day and the weeks that follow should be a time for the new president to unite the country and build an agenda that crosses party lines. Unfortunately, it seems Joe Biden plans to take the opposite approach, having promised to immediately rescind the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Policy, better known as the Mexico City policy.
As millions of Americans are hurting because of the coronavirus, Biden appears hell-bent on cancelling an extraordinarily effective and life-giving policy. President Ronald Reagan originally enacted the Mexico City policy to ensure unwilling American taxpayers didn't fund overseas abortions. Every Republican president since Reagan has promoted the policy, and President Donald Trump expanded it, applying it not only to the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department but to other agencies distributing foreign health assistance, like the Department of Defense. This significant change means that billions of taxpayer dollars are protected from paying to promote and subsidize abortion internationally every year.
Unfortunately, Biden can eliminate this pro-life policy with a stroke of a pen. During the Democratic primary, his campaign promised, "Biden will use executive action on his first day in office to withdraw the Mexico City global gag rule." Vice President Kamala Harris wants to go even further and pass legislation permanently repealing the Mexico City policy. This level of commitment to funding abortion everywhere is, frankly, ghoulish and should concern Americans regardless of political affiliation.
Even abortion supporters don't think the government should be promoting and funding the practice abroad with the tax dollars of pro-life Americans. A bipartisan majority of Americans reject Biden and Harris's radical approach to the exportation of abortion, as 75 percent oppose funding overseas abortions with taxpayer funds, including 61 percent who identify as pro-choice.
Despite the need to focus our dwindling resources on families here in our pandemic-battered economy, Biden wants to endanger unborn babies in countries that should self-determine their values.
Anti-abortion advocates hold signs as they stand in front of the US Supreme Court while participating in the 47th annual March For Life in Washington, DC on January 24, 2020. Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP/Getty
It is a cruel act of political expedience to dangle abortion over the head of a needy world. Abortion isn't health care. At-risk communities across the globe stand to benefit from the safety net and companionship that comes from having and raising children. Heaven forbid the United States endorse and fund a program that destroys lives and weakens communities, which is exactly what reversing the Mexico City policy will do.
Biden justifies repealing this popular and life-giving policy by claiming it hurts global public health, even though all the evidence shows the opposite.
A State Department review of the Trump policy shows that only eight of 1,340 primary grant awardees declined health care funds because of the abortion prohibition—proof the policy doesn't curb critical health assistance in remote parts of the world. "In most cases in which a recipient or sub-recipient declined to agree to the terms of [the Mexico City policy], USAID and/or the prime partner successfully transitioned activities to ensure the continuity of global health assistance," reads the report.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement the report is evidence the policy doesn't inhibit the United States' ability to provide much-needed health care and testing to those in third-world countries. "This review reaffirms that the United States can continue to meet its critical global health goals while protecting life abroad through its global health assistance programs," he said. "The U.S. government is committed to protecting life, the unborn, and the dignity of the human person."
A misguided Biden administration would foist a harmful package deal on other countries at the expense, and against the wishes, of American taxpayers. But the return and expansion of the Mexico City policy under the Trump administration was proof positive that it's possible to defend the unborn and their mothers while also advancing health and well being around the world.
Jeanne Mancini is president of March for Life.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Trump Will Meet Same End As Saddam Hussein, Says Iran's Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has issued his fiercest condemnation of President Donald Trump to date , branding the outgoing U.S. commander-in-chief `` crazy '' and suggesting his fate will be similar to former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein , who was executed in 2006 after the U.S. invasion .
As Trump prepares to leave the White House , Iranian officials are celebrating what they see as their victory over his administration 's `` maximum pressure '' campaign , designed to cripple Iran 's economy and isolate it internationally .
Trump and his team failed to force Tehran back to the negotiating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having abandoned the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) in 2017 .
Sanctions , assassinations and military posturing have taken a serious toll on Tehran , but the regime there looks to have outlasted the Trump administration with just weeks of the president 's term remaining .
Rouhani said Wednesday that Trump will go down in history alongside Hussein , with whom Iran 's revolutionary theocratic regime waged a bloody war for much of the 1980s .
The U.S. backed Hussein in the war—though largely wanted both sides to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The fate of U.S. President Donald Trump will not be better than Saddam Hussein , '' Rouhani said according to the state-run Fars News Agency .
`` We had two crazy creatures in history who imposed war on the people .
One was Saddam and the other was Trump , '' he continued .
`` Saddam imposed military war and Trump imposed economic war on us . ''
`` We were united during the war and defeated Saddam , '' the president continued .
`` We also witnessed the day when that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , Rouhani said : `` We did not let this economic war reach its goal . ''
Hussein was captured by American troops in 2003 , several months after U.S. and allied forces invaded Iraq and deposed his government .
He was put on trial by the Iraqi Interim Government and , in November 2006 , convicted of crimes against humanity relating to a 1982 massacre of Iraqi Shi'ites .
He was executed by hanging on December 30 , 2006 , as the country sank into bloody civil war under the disastrous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that President-elect Joe Biden will offer sanctions relief as part of his push to revive the JCPOA and re-engage with Tehran .
Such relief is much needed , with Iran 's anemic economy struggling to carry the nation through the coronavirus pandemic and financial crisis .
Still , regime figures have maintained a steady drumbeat of obstinate rhetoric , even as sanctions bite .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei said this month that Iran should neutralize the sanctions rather than seek to have them lifted .
Rouhani said Wednesday : `` We must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Mike Pompeo recently lauded the impact of the `` extraordinarily effective '' American sanctions .
Pompeo , one of Trump 's Iran hawks , said last month that the measures had created `` a currency crisis , mounting public debt , and rising inflation . ''
Vital and lucrative Iranian oil exports have been cut by some 75 percent denying the regime more than $ 70 billion in oil , Pompeo said , while the Iranian rial `` has depreciated to one fifth of its former value against the dollar since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP he said , `` has shrunk by around 6 percent for three consecutive years , '' while sanctions `` deprive the regime of funds it would use to carry out its malign activities . ''

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has issued his fiercest condemnation of President Donald Trump to date, branding the outgoing U.S. commander-in-chief "crazy" and suggesting his fate will be similar to former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein, who was executed in 2006 after the U.S. invasion.
As Trump prepares to leave the White House, Iranian officials are celebrating what they see as their victory over his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign, designed to cripple Iran's economy and isolate it internationally.
Trump and his team failed to force Tehran back to the negotiating table to make a new nuclear deal, having abandoned the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2017.
Sanctions, assassinations and military posturing have taken a serious toll on Tehran, but the regime there looks to have outlasted the Trump administration with just weeks of the president's term remaining.
Rouhani said Wednesday that Trump will go down in history alongside Hussein, with whom Iran's revolutionary theocratic regime waged a bloody war for much of the 1980s. The U.S. backed Hussein in the war—though largely wanted both sides to fail—which ultimately claimed some 600,000 lives.
"The fate of U.S. President Donald Trump will not be better than Saddam Hussein," Rouhani said according to the state-run Fars News Agency.
"We had two crazy creatures in history who imposed war on the people. One was Saddam and the other was Trump," he continued. "Saddam imposed military war and Trump imposed economic war on us."
"We were united during the war and defeated Saddam," the president continued. "We also witnessed the day when that madman was executed." Turning to Trump, Rouhani said: "We did not let this economic war reach its goal."
Hussein was captured by American troops in 2003, several months after U.S. and allied forces invaded Iraq and deposed his government. He was put on trial by the Iraqi Interim Government and, in November 2006, convicted of crimes against humanity relating to a 1982 massacre of Iraqi Shi'ites.
He was executed by hanging on December 30, 2006, as the country sank into bloody civil war under the disastrous American occupation.
Iranian leaders are hoping that President-elect Joe Biden will offer sanctions relief as part of his push to revive the JCPOA and re-engage with Tehran. Such relief is much needed, with Iran's anemic economy struggling to carry the nation through the coronavirus pandemic and financial crisis.
Still, regime figures have maintained a steady drumbeat of obstinate rhetoric, even as sanctions bite. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei said this month that Iran should neutralize the sanctions rather than seek to have them lifted. Rouhani said Wednesday: "We must nullify the sanctions."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently lauded the impact of the "extraordinarily effective" American sanctions. Pompeo, one of Trump's Iran hawks, said last month that the measures had created "a currency crisis, mounting public debt, and rising inflation."
Vital and lucrative Iranian oil exports have been cut by some 75 percent denying the regime more than $70 billion in oil, Pompeo said, while the Iranian rial "has depreciated to one fifth of its former value against the dollar since the start of the campaign."
National GDP he said, "has shrunk by around 6 percent for three consecutive years," while sanctions "deprive the regime of funds it would use to carry out its malign activities."


newsweek--2020-12-23--Sex Offender Received $12,000 in Unemployment Benefits From Prison, Investigators Say

A convicted sex offender received almost $ 12,000 in unemployment benefits while behind bars , authorities claim .
Taylor Lewis Gholar , 29 , was convicted for a sex crime involving a 12-year-old girl and sentenced to three years in a California prison on December 10 .
While in custody , he and his girlfriend are alleged to have received $ 11,688 from the state after submitting an unemployment application online .
`` Following this conviction , Yolo County District Attorney Investigators were alerted that Gholar was fraudulently receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits while being housed in custody in the Yolo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Yolo County District Attorney read .
Investigators said they intercepted phone calls between Gholar and his girlfriend , Sonia Chan , from jail .
During the calls , the couple `` discussed the filing of fraudulent claims '' for unemployment benefits , the District Attorney said .
According to the criminal complaint , Chan submitted an unemployment application for Gholar online and received debit cards on his behalf .
`` In order to be eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits , the applicant must be physically able and available to work and must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work immediately , '' prosecutors explained .
`` Because Gholar was in jail , he was not legally eligible for benefits . ''
Both Gholar and Chan have been charged with felony violations of grand theft , making a false and fraudulent insurance claim , and conspiracy to commit fraud .
Gholar was originally sentenced for going to meet a minor for the purpose of lewd or lascivious conduct .
The convicted sex offender was employed as a West Sacramento after-school teacher when he arranged to lure his 7th-grade student victim for sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County District Attorney 's Office read .
A jury heard evidence that he had taught the victim for three years , first meeting the young girl when she was in 2nd grade .
After the victim completed 5th grade , they had no contact until she was 12 years old and in 7th grade .
Witnesses testified that on January 19 , 2020 , Gholar began communicating with the victim through Instagram direct messages .
The victim immediately informed Gholar that she was 12 years old .
Over the course of 12 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to have sex , requested provocative photos of the victim , and sent her a pornographic photo of himself .
After the victim informed her parents , the police pretended they were the child and continued communicating through social media with Gholar .
In the early morning hours of January 20 , West Sacramento police officers , posing as the child , arranged to meet Gholar under the pretense of having sex with the 12-year-old victim .
When Gholar arrived he was found with condoms and arrested .
`` Mr. Gholar used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convince a 12-year-old to have sex with him , '' District Attorney Jeff Reisig said at the time .
`` We are pleased that with the diligent efforts of law enforcement and the jury 's decision , Mr. Gholar will never be a teacher again . ''
Newsweek has contacted the Yolo County Sheriff 's Office and the Yolo County District Attorney for comment .

A convicted sex offender received almost $12,000 in unemployment benefits while behind bars, authorities claim.
Taylor Lewis Gholar, 29, was convicted for a sex crime involving a 12-year-old girl and sentenced to three years in a California prison on December 10.
While in custody, he and his girlfriend are alleged to have received $11,688 from the state after submitting an unemployment application online.
"Following this conviction, Yolo County District Attorney Investigators were alerted that Gholar was fraudulently receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits while being housed in custody in the Yolo County Jail," a statement from the Yolo County District Attorney read.
Taylor Lewis Gholar received unemployment benefits while in custody at the Yolo County Jail, authorities allege. Yolo County Jail
Investigators said they intercepted phone calls between Gholar and his girlfriend, Sonia Chan, from jail.
During the calls, the couple "discussed the filing of fraudulent claims" for unemployment benefits, the District Attorney said.
According to the criminal complaint, Chan submitted an unemployment application for Gholar online and received debit cards on his behalf.
"In order to be eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits, the applicant must be physically able and available to work and must also be ready and willing to accept work immediately," prosecutors explained. "Because Gholar was in jail, he was not legally eligible for benefits."
Both Gholar and Chan have been charged with felony violations of grand theft, making a false and fraudulent insurance claim, and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Gholar was originally sentenced for going to meet a minor for the purpose of lewd or lascivious conduct.
The convicted sex offender was employed as a West Sacramento after-school teacher when he arranged to lure his 7th-grade student victim for sex, a press release from the Yolo County District Attorney's Office read.
A jury heard evidence that he had taught the victim for three years, first meeting the young girl when she was in 2nd grade. After the victim completed 5th grade, they had no contact until she was 12 years old and in 7th grade.
Witnesses testified that on January 19, 2020, Gholar began communicating with the victim through Instagram direct messages.
The victim immediately informed Gholar that she was 12 years old. Over the course of 12 hours, Gholar asked the victim if she wanted to have sex, requested provocative photos of the victim, and sent her a pornographic photo of himself.
After the victim informed her parents, the police pretended they were the child and continued communicating through social media with Gholar.
In the early morning hours of January 20, West Sacramento police officers, posing as the child, arranged to meet Gholar under the pretense of having sex with the 12-year-old victim. When Gholar arrived he was found with condoms and arrested.
"Mr. Gholar used his position of trust as a teacher to convince a 12-year-old to have sex with him," District Attorney Jeff Reisig said at the time. "We are pleased that with the diligent efforts of law enforcement and the jury's decision, Mr. Gholar will never be a teacher again."
Newsweek has contacted the Yolo County Sheriff's Office and the Yolo County District Attorney for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Anger at U.K. Border As Stranded Truck Drivers Need COVID Tests to Re-Enter France

Tensions boiled over among weary truck drivers who have spent days trapped near British ports as they were told they would need a negative COVID test in order to return to France .
Pictures taken Wednesday morning showed police officers pushing back a crowd of drivers as anger built at the Port of Dover in Kent , one of the regions in England now placed under the highest `` Tier 4 '' stay-at-home restrictions as a result of the fast-spreading COVID mutation .
Fears over the new , more transmissible variant of COVID-19 that has been spreading across the south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all U.K. arrivals for 48 hours , drawing thousands of freight trucks to a standstill .
The U.K. agreed on Tuesday night to conduct mass COVID tests on drivers amid warnings British supermarkets could soon run short of fruit and vegetables , just days before Christmas .
The deal means rail , air and sea services between the U.K. and France will resume , to the relief of the hundreds of freight drivers stranded in southeast England—many who have spent the two-day wait in their trucks .
French citizens , British nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are among those now able to travel as long as they have received a negative result less than 72 hours before departure .
Soldiers have joined staff from the U.K. 's Test and Trace service to carry out rapid tests on the stranded drivers .
The Netherlands and Belgium have also relaxed bans on arrivals from the U.K. , as long as they have a recent negative result .
But more than 50 other countries , including Italy , India , and Pakistan , are continuing to block travelers from the U.K. Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News it would take `` a few days '' to test all the drivers before they can travel to France , meaning some could still be stranded in the U.K. on Christmas Day .
Several thousand trucks have been stuck near the Kent port after France stopped them crossing the Channel , many lined up on the M20 motorway or at nearby Manston airfield .
A group of drivers began booing and whistling at police just after 8 a.m. , before a small number started pushing officers in an apparent attempt to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the French government had agreed to accept lateral flow tests , which can return results in around 30 minutes , in order to get traffic moving again .
Despite the agreement , Shapps has urged other hauliers to stay away from Kent until there are further announcements .
Eurotunnel said freight services between the U.K. and France would also resume on Wednesday .
The agreement came hours after the European Union urged member states to abandon travel bans on U.K. travelers to free up the movement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries to continue discouraging non-essential travel to and from Britain but said that U.K. and European citizens should be allowed to return to their homes .
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new strict lockdown that bans people from leaving their homes in London and the southeast of England after scientists discovered the new variant of COVID-19 .
Although the new strain , VUI202012/01 , is fast-moving , scientists said , it so far does n't appear to be deadlier .
England 's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance said it is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other parts of England , while Peter Openshaw , an immunologist at Imperial College , said it is likely the strain is already in Europe .

Tensions boiled over among weary truck drivers who have spent days trapped near British ports as they were told they would need a negative COVID test in order to return to France.
Pictures taken Wednesday morning showed police officers pushing back a crowd of drivers as anger built at the Port of Dover in Kent, one of the regions in England now placed under the highest "Tier 4" stay-at-home restrictions as a result of the fast-spreading COVID mutation.
Fears over the new, more transmissible variant of COVID-19 that has been spreading across the south of England saw France put a ban on all U.K. arrivals for 48 hours, drawing thousands of freight trucks to a standstill.
The U.K. agreed on Tuesday night to conduct mass COVID tests on drivers amid warnings British supermarkets could soon run short of fruit and vegetables, just days before Christmas. The deal means rail, air and sea services between the U.K. and France will resume, to the relief of the hundreds of freight drivers stranded in southeast England—many who have spent the two-day wait in their trucks.
French citizens, British nationals living in France, and freight drivers are among those now able to travel as long as they have received a negative result less than 72 hours before departure.
Soldiers have joined staff from the U.K.'s Test and Trace service to carry out rapid tests on the stranded drivers.
The Netherlands and Belgium have also relaxed bans on arrivals from the U.K., as long as they have a recent negative result. But more than 50 other countries, including Italy, India, and Pakistan, are continuing to block travelers from the U.K.
Britain's housing secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News it would take "a few days" to test all the drivers before they can travel to France, meaning some could still be stranded in the U.K. on Christmas Day.
Several thousand trucks have been stuck near the Kent port after France stopped them crossing the Channel, many lined up on the M20 motorway or at nearby Manston airfield. A group of drivers began booing and whistling at police just after 8 a.m., before a small number started pushing officers in an apparent attempt to break through their lines and enter the port.
Tensions run high between truck drivers and police officers at the Port of Dover after France agreed to reopen its border to freight drivers with a recent negative COVID-19 test Dan Kitwood/Getty
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the French government had agreed to accept lateral flow tests, which can return results in around 30 minutes, in order to get traffic moving again. Despite the agreement, Shapps has urged other hauliers to stay away from Kent until there are further announcements.
Eurotunnel said freight services between the U.K. and France would also resume on Wednesday. The agreement came hours after the European Union urged member states to abandon travel bans on U.K. travelers to free up the movement of goods.
The bloc's executive urged countries to continue discouraging non-essential travel to and from Britain but said that U.K. and European citizens should be allowed to return to their homes.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new strict lockdown that bans people from leaving their homes in London and the southeast of England after scientists discovered the new variant of COVID-19. Although the new strain, VUI202012/01, is fast-moving, scientists said, it so far doesn't appear to be deadlier.
England's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance said it is "likely" the new strain has spread to other parts of England, while Peter Openshaw, an immunologist at Imperial College, said it is likely the strain is already in Europe.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Christmas at Wartime | Opinion

Christmas at Wartime | Opinion

Christmas in Italy is going to be completely defined by COVID-19 .
When we look back years from now , we will all realize how much our lives have been defined in 2020 , and probably in the first half of 2021 , by the pandemic .
The process of recovery will take years—and in some ways , we may never fully recover .
Businesses will have failed , loved ones will have been lost and psychological damage ( especially for the young ) may take years to heal .
Some may never get beyond this year 's isolation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has announced strict rules from Dec. 24 through Jan. 6 .
Everything will be closed except pharmacies , grocery stores and gas stations .
In recognition of the religious culture which pervades Italy ( there are some 900 churches in Rome , for example ) people will be able to go to church but are encouraged to go to the church nearest them .
Churches will follow restrictions on social spacing and capacity per service .
For all practical purposes , everyone in Italy is locked down for almost two weeks .
Restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discouraged from being out of their homes unless they have a written medical or work excuse .
Hotels will only allow people renting rooms to come in and will only serve food through room service .
For the key days , once you check in , you will not be allowed to leave the hotel .
The Italian lockdown is paralleled in virtually every Western country as government officials desperately try to cope with a new version of the virus which showed up in Britain and apparently spreads much faster ( but is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strain of COVID-19 .
As I was trying to understand what is happening in Italy , throughout Europe , and the United States in this season of joy and celebration , it hit me that the closest analogy is Christmas in wartime .
If you accept that COVID-19 is a mortal enemy—and our entire society is being mobilized to fight it—then the current mess begins to make some sense .
This led me to think about various challenging Christmas holidays in American history .
The most challenging and decisive Christmas in American history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gen. George Washington 's tiny army was on the edge of collapse .
It had shrunk from 9,000 men in the Battle of Harlem Heights in September to less than 2,500 by Christmas .
One-third of the soldiers did not have boots and were marching with their feet wrapped in burlap bags .
The independence declared just five months earlier , on July 4 , 1776 , looked like it might fail .
To save the Revolution , Washington and his troops spent Christmas Day boarding boats to cross an ice-filled Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The next morning , they surprised roughly 800 professional German mercenary soldiers ( called Hessians for the state of Hesse-Cassel from which they came ) and bring them back to the Pennsylvania side as prisoners .
Ironically , the Hessians spent Christmas Day with good food and drink in warm buildings enjoying the holiday .
Little did they realize that 12 hours later they would help save the American Revolution by surrendering and becoming prisoners ( recruitment for the Continental Army greatly increased after Washington 's victory ) .
Another classic wartime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in 1944 .
The Germans had been on offense under cloud cover , which had blocked American and British aircraft from stopping them .
Since the Allied forces relied heavily on airpower , the bad weather made the German army much more formidable , and it had driven a bulge into the Allied lines .
Then , on Christmas Day , the clouds disappeared .
The winter sun came out , and allied aircraft dominated the battlefield in massive numbers .
The Allies began driving the German army back from its last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The day after Christmas , Gen. George Patton 's Third Army broke the siege of Bastogne and saved the American forces who had been surrounded by the German army .
Maybe the Christmas most like 2020 is the 1918 celebration during the Spanish Flu .
Americans were thrilled that World War I had ended in November—and that America had been on the winning side .
Furthermore , there was a good bit of spending money around because of the surge of wartime production .
However , the Spanish Flu was much deadlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that era simply did not have the knowledge or tools to develop an effective response ( this is brilliantly described in John Barry 's book The Great Influenza ) .
The difference between the speed of developing new therapies and new vaccines in 2020 and the haunting lack of tools and knowledge in 1918 justifies every penny we have spent on the National Institutes of Health—and serves as a testament to the amazing entrepreneurial drive , energy and speed of our pharmaceutical industry .
Christmas 1918 was a deadlier time than today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation .
I simply wanted to share with you that we have had challenging Christmases before , and we came back better than ever .
Someday , we will look back on Christmas 2020 and realize that life got better , and our dreams got bigger as the virus was gradually defeated .
To read , hear , and watch more of Newt 's commentary , visit Gingrich360.com .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Christmas in Italy is going to be completely defined by COVID-19.
When we look back years from now, we will all realize how much our lives have been defined in 2020, and probably in the first half of 2021, by the pandemic. The process of recovery will take years—and in some ways, we may never fully recover. Businesses will have failed, loved ones will have been lost and psychological damage (especially for the young) may take years to heal. Some may never get beyond this year's isolation, fear and deprivation.
The Italian government has announced strict rules from Dec. 24 through Jan. 6. Everything will be closed except pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations. In recognition of the religious culture which pervades Italy (there are some 900 churches in Rome, for example) people will be able to go to church but are encouraged to go to the church nearest them. Churches will follow restrictions on social spacing and capacity per service.
For all practical purposes, everyone in Italy is locked down for almost two weeks. Restaurants and bars are closed. People are discouraged from being out of their homes unless they have a written medical or work excuse. Hotels will only allow people renting rooms to come in and will only serve food through room service. For the key days, once you check in, you will not be allowed to leave the hotel.
The Italian lockdown is paralleled in virtually every Western country as government officials desperately try to cope with a new version of the virus which showed up in Britain and apparently spreads much faster (but is not more deadly) than the first strain of COVID-19.
As I was trying to understand what is happening in Italy, throughout Europe, and the United States in this season of joy and celebration, it hit me that the closest analogy is Christmas in wartime.
If you accept that COVID-19 is a mortal enemy—and our entire society is being mobilized to fight it—then the current mess begins to make some sense. This led me to think about various challenging Christmas holidays in American history.
The most challenging and decisive Christmas in American history was at our beginning. In 1776, Gen. George Washington's tiny army was on the edge of collapse. It had shrunk from 9,000 men in the Battle of Harlem Heights in September to less than 2,500 by Christmas. One-third of the soldiers did not have boots and were marching with their feet wrapped in burlap bags. The independence declared just five months earlier, on July 4, 1776, looked like it might fail.
People photograph the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center before sunrise on December 5, 2019, in New York City. Gary Hershorn/Getty
To save the Revolution, Washington and his troops spent Christmas Day boarding boats to cross an ice-filled Delaware River and then march through a snowstorm. The next morning, they surprised roughly 800 professional German mercenary soldiers (called Hessians for the state of Hesse-Cassel from which they came) and bring them back to the Pennsylvania side as prisoners.
Ironically, the Hessians spent Christmas Day with good food and drink in warm buildings enjoying the holiday. Little did they realize that 12 hours later they would help save the American Revolution by surrendering and becoming prisoners (recruitment for the Continental Army greatly increased after Washington's victory).
Another classic wartime Christmas moment came during World War II, in 1944. The Germans had been on offense under cloud cover, which had blocked American and British aircraft from stopping them. Since the Allied forces relied heavily on airpower, the bad weather made the German army much more formidable, and it had driven a bulge into the Allied lines. Then, on Christmas Day, the clouds disappeared. The winter sun came out, and allied aircraft dominated the battlefield in massive numbers. The Allies began driving the German army back from its last great effort to win in the West. The day after Christmas, Gen. George Patton's Third Army broke the siege of Bastogne and saved the American forces who had been surrounded by the German army.
Maybe the Christmas most like 2020 is the 1918 celebration during the Spanish Flu. Americans were thrilled that World War I had ended in November—and that America had been on the winning side. Furthermore, there was a good bit of spending money around because of the surge of wartime production. However, the Spanish Flu was much deadlier than COVID-19, and the science of that era simply did not have the knowledge or tools to develop an effective response (this is brilliantly described in John Barry's book The Great Influenza).
The difference between the speed of developing new therapies and new vaccines in 2020 and the haunting lack of tools and knowledge in 1918 justifies every penny we have spent on the National Institutes of Health—and serves as a testament to the amazing entrepreneurial drive, energy and speed of our pharmaceutical industry. Christmas 1918 was a deadlier time than today, but people were determined to celebrate—even in isolation.
I simply wanted to share with you that we have had challenging Christmases before, and we came back better than ever. Someday, we will look back on Christmas 2020 and realize that life got better, and our dreams got bigger as the virus was gradually defeated.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
To read, hear, and watch more of Newt's commentary, visit Gingrich360.com.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-23--New York to Test for New COVID Strain That CDC Says May Already Be in U.S.

Hospitals in New York have begun testing for a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus , which causes COVID-19 , as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) warned that it may already be circulating in the United States undetected .
The variant , dubbed the `` B.1.1.7 lineage '' or `` VOC 202012/01 , '' was detected in the southeast of England in September .
U.K. scientists think that it could be significantly more transmissible than the original virus , although there is still much unknown about it .
Current evidence suggests that it does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said he had directed hospitals in the state to test specifically for the new variant .
`` If the variant is here , I want to know , because that would be problematic , '' Cuomo told reporters during a phone briefing .
`` We want to test for the variant .
If it 's here we want to know it .
We want to isolate it immediately .
If it 's here , where is it ? ''
No evidence has yet emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York , or anywhere else in the U.S .
The Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany has already examined more than 3,700 SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequences detected in New York , with no sign of the new variant in any of the samples , according to Cuomo .
But the governor said the state needed to be prepared , given that the variant has now been detected in several more locations around the world outside the U.K. '' Chances are if it 's moving globally , it came here , '' Cuomo said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have made agreements with six New York hospitals to obtain additional samples .
The lab is also in contact with other medical facilities to do the same as part of the effort to detect the new variant .
`` Any hospital that has the lab capacity to take the test , we will be providing them with the ability and the testing reagents , '' Cuomo said .
If the new variant is detected in New York , the governor said public health authorities would immediately launch contact-tracing efforts , while infected individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the B.1.1.7 lineage may already be circulating in the U.S. Scientists have yet to detect the variant in the country , but the agency said researchers have only sequenced the genetic coding from a relatively small number of COVID-19 cases .
`` The VOC 202012/01 variant has not been identified through sequencing efforts in the United States , although viruses have only been sequenced from about 51,000 of the 17 million U.S. cases , '' a CDC statement read .
`` Ongoing travel between the United Kingdom and the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this variant among current U.K. infections , increase the likelihood of importation .
Given the small fraction of US infections that have been sequenced , the variant could already be in the United States without having been detected . ''

Hospitals in New York have begun testing for a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that it may already be circulating in the United States undetected.
The variant, dubbed the "B.1.1.7 lineage" or "VOC 202012/01," was detected in the southeast of England in September. U.K. scientists think that it could be significantly more transmissible than the original virus, although there is still much unknown about it. Current evidence suggests that it does not appear to cause more severe disease.
On Tuesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he had directed hospitals in the state to test specifically for the new variant.
"If the variant is here, I want to know, because that would be problematic," Cuomo told reporters during a phone briefing. "We want to test for the variant. If it's here we want to know it. We want to isolate it immediately. If it's here, where is it?"
No evidence has yet emerged to suggest that the variant is present in New York, or anywhere else in the U.S. The Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany has already examined more than 3,700 SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequences detected in New York, with no sign of the new variant in any of the samples, according to Cuomo.
But the governor said the state needed to be prepared, given that the variant has now been detected in several more locations around the world outside the U.K.
"Chances are if it's moving globally, it came here," Cuomo said.
Wadsworth and the state Department of Health have made agreements with six New York hospitals to obtain additional samples. The lab is also in contact with other medical facilities to do the same as part of the effort to detect the new variant.
"Any hospital that has the lab capacity to take the test, we will be providing them with the ability and the testing reagents," Cuomo said.
If the new variant is detected in New York, the governor said public health authorities would immediately launch contact-tracing efforts, while infected individuals isolated.
On Tuesday, the CDC said the B.1.1.7 lineage may already be circulating in the U.S. Scientists have yet to detect the variant in the country, but the agency said researchers have only sequenced the genetic coding from a relatively small number of COVID-19 cases.
"The VOC 202012/01 variant has not been identified through sequencing efforts in the United States, although viruses have only been sequenced from about 51,000 of the 17 million U.S. cases," a CDC statement read.
"Ongoing travel between the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the high prevalence of this variant among current U.K. infections, increase the likelihood of importation. Given the small fraction of US infections that have been sequenced, the variant could already be in the United States without having been detected."


newsweek--2020-12-23--UPS Worker Finds Frozen Body of 80-Year-Old Michigan Man Outside Home

A United States Postal Service ( USPS ) worker has found the frozen body of an 80-year-old man in front of a home in Michigan .
The USPS employee called Lenawee County Sheriff 's Office at around 6.15 p.m. on Wednesday to report a person in the roadway in Cambridge Township .
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt .
Larry Rothman told The Daily Telegram that emergency personnel were dispatched to the 400 block of Knapp Road , where they found Richard Theodore Kokochak lying in a curved driveway close to his car .
Rothman said that Kokochak 's body was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was not visible from the road , suggesting that he had been there for at least a couple of days .
He said : `` He was in a position where passers-by would have been unable to really see him unless they were really looking for him . ''
Kokochak reportedly lived in the house with his partner , who was in the hospital at the time .
Rothman said state police investigators were called to the scene but it is believed at this time that there was no foul play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an accident or caused by a health problem .
Lenawee County Medical Examiner 's Office is putting together an autopsy report and Kokochak 's death remains under investigation .
Rothman said : `` At this point , there 's no concern for any public safety issues or anything like that . ''
Cambridge Township police , Jackson Community Ambulance , the Cambridge Township Fire Department and state troopers all attended the scene .
According to the National Weather Service , Cambridge Township expects temperatures of around 15 F at night and 32 F @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week , Winter Storm Gail swept across northeastern U.S. , producing heavy snow and freezing rain .
Newsweek has contacted the Lenawee County Sheriff 's Office for comment .
Earlier this month , a 71-year-old Michigan man and his 66-year-old wife were stabbed by his 29-year-old stepson in Madison Heights , a city just outside Detroit .
Christopher McKinney was reported to have been playing video games in his parents ' bedroom before his stepdad and mother asked him to leave the room so they could go to bed .
The 71-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while police did not have an update on his mother 's condition , Detroit 's WDIV-TV reported .
Chief of Police at the Madison Heights Police Department , Corey Haines , stated : He [ McKinney ] punched [ his ] mom in the face breaking her nose .
[ He ] punched [ his ] stepdad several times , [ so his ] stepdad went and retrieved a knife from the kitchen to defend himself and his wife .
[ McKinney ] somehow got the knife away from him and then stabbed @ @ @ @ @ @

A United States Postal Service (USPS) worker has found the frozen body of an 80-year-old man in front of a home in Michigan.
The USPS employee called Lenawee County Sheriff's Office at around 6.15 p.m. on Wednesday to report a person in the roadway in Cambridge Township.
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Larry Rothman told The Daily Telegram that emergency personnel were dispatched to the 400 block of Knapp Road, where they found Richard Theodore Kokochak lying in a curved driveway close to his car.
Rothman said that Kokochak's body was frozen between his car and the house, which was not visible from the road, suggesting that he had been there for at least a couple of days.
The man was found outside his home on Knapp Road, Cambridge Township, Michigan. Google Maps
He said: "He was in a position where passers-by would have been unable to really see him unless they were really looking for him."
Kokochak reportedly lived in the house with his partner, who was in the hospital at the time.
Rothman said state police investigators were called to the scene but it is believed at this time that there was no foul play. Detectives suspect the death was either an accident or caused by a health problem.
Lenawee County Medical Examiner's Office is putting together an autopsy report and Kokochak's death remains under investigation.
Rothman said: "At this point, there's no concern for any public safety issues or anything like that."
Cambridge Township police, Jackson Community Ambulance, the Cambridge Township Fire Department and state troopers all attended the scene.
According to the National Weather Service, Cambridge Township expects temperatures of around 15 F at night and 32 F (freezing) in the day. Last week, Winter Storm Gail swept across northeastern U.S., producing heavy snow and freezing rain.
Newsweek has contacted the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office for comment.
Michigan man, 17, killed after domestic stabbing
Earlier this month, a 71-year-old Michigan man and his 66-year-old wife were stabbed by his 29-year-old stepson in Madison Heights, a city just outside Detroit.
Christopher McKinney was reported to have been playing video games in his parents' bedroom before his stepdad and mother asked him to leave the room so they could go to bed.
The 71-year-old died four days after the incident, while police did not have an update on his mother's condition, Detroit's WDIV-TV reported.
Chief of Police at the Madison Heights Police Department, Corey Haines, stated: He [McKinney] punched [his] mom in the face breaking her nose. [He] punched [his] stepdad several times, [so his] stepdad went and retrieved a knife from the kitchen to defend himself and his wife. [McKinney] somehow got the knife away from him and then stabbed his mother and stepdad."


newsweek--2020-12-23--USS John S. McCain 'Expelled' From South China Sea, Claims Chinese Military

The Chinese military said it `` expelled '' the USS John S. McCain from the South China Sea after the U.S. Navy destroyer `` trespassed '' in the disputed waters of the Spratly Islands .
China claims historic rights over almost all of the islands in the South China Sea and their surrounding waters .
In 2016 , it rejected a Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling stating the opposite .
In a statement released Tuesday local time , Tian Junli , a spokesperson for the People 's Liberation Army 's Southern Theater Command , accused the U.S. Navy of entering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorization . ''
Tian said the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was `` warned '' and `` expelled '' from the area by China 's navy and air force .
The USS John S. McCain , part of the Seventh Fleet , was shadowed by a Chinese warship as it sailed through the Spratly Islands , an unnamed U.S. official told Fox News .
The U.S. Navy warship sailed by Gaven Reef and Johnson South Reef , the official added .
Both contested reefs are claimed by China and contain PLA military fortification .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing-based think tank tracking U.S. Navy and Air Force activity , reported the Chinese warship as a Type 054A frigate .
It was the ninth time in 2020 the U.S. Navy had conducted `` freedom of navigation '' operations near Chinese-controlled reefs , representing a five-year high , SCSPI said .
While China has accused the U.S. of trespassing and undermining security in the South China Sea , the U.S. Navy claims it is exercising its navigational rights in accordance with international law .
Reefs in the Spratly Islands are claimed not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vietnam and the Philippines , among others .
The USS John S. McCain conducted the freedom of navigation operation in order to challenge `` restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China , Vietnam , and Taiwan , '' the Seventh Fleet said in a statement on Tuesday .
It continued : `` Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas , including the freedoms of navigation and overflight , free trade and unimpeded commerce , and freedom of economic opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The United States upholds freedom of navigation as a principle .
As long as some countries continue to assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and that purport to restrict unlawfully the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all States , the United States will continue to defend those rights and freedoms .
No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms . ''
The latest maritime dispute comes two days after China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by sailing to the South China Sea via the narrow Taiwan Strait .
Shandong had transited the strait—just 80 miles wide at its narrowest point—only once before , on December 26 , 2019 , Taiwan 's Ministry of National Defense said .
On Saturday , the Chinese Navy followed the USS Mustin as it made a similar transit through the Taiwan Strait .
Escalating military tensions have in the region have led to an increased risk of conflict in the South China Sea , SCSPI told Newsweek last week .

The Chinese military said it "expelled" the USS John S. McCain from the South China Sea after the U.S. Navy destroyer "trespassed" in the disputed waters of the Spratly Islands.
The Pentagon denied the People's Liberation Army's version of events, telling Newsweek that its freedom of navigation operation was done "in accordance with international law," and that interactions with the Chinese Navy "had no impact" on its mission.
China claims historic rights over almost all of the islands in the South China Sea and their surrounding waters. In 2016, it rejected a Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling stating the opposite.
In a statement released Tuesday local time, Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command, accused the U.S. Navy of entering the disputed waters "without Chinese government authorization."
Tian said the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was "warned" and "expelled" from the area by China's navy and air force.
In an emailed statement, a Department of Defense official told Newsweek: "USS John S. McCain was not 'expelled' from any territory. The ship conducted a Freedom of Navigation Operation in accordance with international law, and then continued to conduct normal operations.
"All interactions with foreign military forces were consistent with international norms, and those interactions had no impact on the operation. The United States will continue to sail, fly and operate wherever international law allows."
The USS John S. McCain, part of the Seventh Fleet, was shadowed by a Chinese warship as it sailed through the Spratly Islands, an unnamed U.S. official told Fox News.
The U.S. Navy warship sailed by Gaven Reef and Johnson South Reef, the official added. Both contested reefs are claimed by China and contain PLA military fortification.
The South China Sea Probing Initiative, a Beijing-based think tank tracking U.S. Navy and Air Force activity, reported the Chinese warship as a Type 054A frigate.
It was the ninth time in 2020 the U.S. Navy had conducted "freedom of navigation" operations near Chinese-controlled reefs, representing a five-year high, SCSPI said.
While China has accused the U.S. of trespassing and undermining security in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy claims it is exercising its navigational rights in accordance with international law.
Reefs in the Spratly Islands are claimed not only by China, but also Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines, among others.
The USS John S. McCain conducted the freedom of navigation operation in order to challenge "restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan," the Seventh Fleet said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain transits through South China Sea on December 22, 2020. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/U.S. Navy
It continued: "Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.
"The United States upholds freedom of navigation as a principle. As long as some countries continue to assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and that purport to restrict unlawfully the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all States, the United States will continue to defend those rights and freedoms. No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms."
The latest maritime dispute comes two days after China's domestic aircraft carrier Shandong alarmed observers by sailing to the South China Sea via the narrow Taiwan Strait.
Shandong had transited the strait—just 80 miles wide at its narrowest point—only once before, on December 26, 2019, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said.
On Saturday, the Chinese Navy followed the USS Mustin as it made a similar transit through the Taiwan Strait.
Escalating military tensions have in the region have led to an increased risk of conflict in the South China Sea, SCSPI told Newsweek last week.
This story has been updated with a Pentagon statement.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Is 'Strategic Autonomy' the Future of Europe? | Opinion

When it comes to our European allies , Donald Trump 's policy the last four years was drastic , if somewhat peripheral to other goals : ending Europe 's freeloading off U.S. defense .
The effort seems to have been largely successful—for now .
Think what you will of his rhetoric and its effect on transatlantic goodwill , but the president 's overarching objective looks more attainable now than ever .
European leaders reacted to Trump by opening a discussion about the possibility of Europe 's `` strategic autonomy . ''
Adjusted for feasibility , Europe seems more willing than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own security , yet its intention in doing so is not to strengthen NATO—much less to compensate America—but to pursue a more self-interested realism .
For all the proclamations of a transatlantic `` reset '' from both Joe Biden and the EU , the real game-changer in the wake of Trump is Europe 's evolving definition of its own interests , in which America is bound to play a lesser role .
The meaning of European `` strategic autonomy , '' however , remains astoundingly unclear thanks to divisions within the EU—in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Germany .
The buzzphrase is Emmanuel Macron 's brainchild , and in some ways it extends France 's post-World War II souverainism to a European scope .
But the French president 's Euro-Gaullism need not worry Americans in the way that Charles de Gaulle 's aversion towards U.S. influence in Europe did in the 1950s and 1960s .
That this debate sprang from Trump 's shock win in 2016 but has only accelerated since last month 's election is no coincidence .
Satisfying the key U.S. demand of enhanced military preparedness is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it is also informed by a willingness to face China 's menacing rise .
Other U.S.-compatible outcomes would be an increased European willingness to patrol its own North African and Eastern Mediterranean neighborhoods , as exhibited this summer with a high-stakes French-Turkish spat over Greece 's territorial waters .
But beyond a nominal agreement to speed up the timid military spending surge of the past four years , France finds itself at odds with Germany over Europe 's strategic future .
The channels through which Europe 's beefed-up defense budgets will flow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a cheerleader of EU-wide defense cooperation—championing the PESCO and EDF defense programs—to spur economies of scale , knowledge-sharing and avoiding redundancies .
These initiatives have caused friction with American priorities , however .
France has accused America of hypocrisy for insisting on higher aggregate spending whilst rebuking PESCO and EDF for leaving U.S. contractors out of EU bids .
On this score , Biden is likely to find an ally in Germany , where officials have labeled `` strategic autonomy '' as `` protectionist '' —nothing short of an insult in EU-speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telecoms and trade , `` strategic autonomy '' is divisive inside the EU and bound to concern Americans .
A former German diplomat recently used the calumnious term `` autarchy '' in reference to Macron 's plan , casting it as a costly pipe dream that would place Europe at the forefront of de-globalization .
Perhaps this laissez-faire critique concerns Macron 's talk of onshoring pharmaceutical supply chains in the wake of COVID-19 .
German drug-makers resent being cut off from cheap Asian suppliers and , zealous of accessing Chinese markets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are notorious Beijing appeasers .
Macron has targeted EU pieties in competition policy too , favoring beefed-up subsidies for European industries to better compete globally .
About this other form of market-rigging you wo n't hear much dissent from Germany , whose national industrial champions are , along with France 's , already a favorite of EU state aid at the expense of smaller nations—a qualm voiced recently by former Italian PM Enrico Letta .
And this is not to mention areas where America objects to EU protectionism disguised as `` strategic autonomy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn its single trade policy into an environmental tool through so-called border-adjusted carbon taxes is no U.S. administration 's cup of tea , not even Biden 's .
Other issues , like taxation of offshore U.S. profits and digital policy—which disproportionately affects American tech companies through antitrust fines and privacy rules—have largely been omitted from official pronouncements , but to assume EU plans wo n't collide at some point with American interests would be naïve .
This all is symptomatic of a larger dissonance , with each side of the French-German tandem of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ framing the face-off in a way that advances its own case .
Macron 's camp has used `` European sovereignty '' interchangeably with `` autonomy , '' implying that the other side would gladly make the EU an American protectorate , or worse , the geopolitical plaything of the next hegemon .
To further blur the lines , Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer , the German defense minister leading the skeptic camp , has labeled her plea as `` atlanticist '' —mind you , claiming a monopoly on EU-U.S. dialogue is a popular pastime among German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her side a range of Baltic and Central European nations who welcome the label , but as NATO poster children resent Germany 's chronic under-spending on defense .
Understood charitably , `` strategic autonomy '' is about making the EU willing and able to wield power commensurate with its market size , geostrategic potential and willingness to advance ideals and interests of its own .
But if `` strategic autonomy '' for Europe sounds like a doctrinal shell that one could fill with any number of ulterior purposes , it 's because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron 's grand strategy is thus largely concerned with means— '' autonomous to do what ? ''
is the as-yet unanswered question on everyone 's minds—and the case for sacrificing EU market orthodoxies and transatlantic goodwill on the altar of strategic muscle has little buy-in beyond French diplomatic and think-tank circles .
Meanwhile , Germany 's non-negotiable starting point—that no strategic interests are worth pursuing outside the transatlantic mold—ducks the hard question of what Europe should sacrifice to become a better asset to NATO .
By scapegoating Gallic souverainism as the only hazard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ papers over the obvious sore spot : defense underspending , primarily Germany 's own .
That Europe may , sooner or later , rouse from its strategic lethargy is unambiguously good news for America , the transatlantic alliance and Europeans themselves .
But absent widespread agreement on what exactly `` strategic autonomy '' would entail , and the kind of partnership with America the EU wants for the future , the ongoing frenzy around the idea will amount to little more than intellectual crossfire .
Jorge González-Gallarza ( @ JorgeGGallarza ) is co-host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues ( @ UnDecencyPod ) and an associate researcher at Fundación Civismo .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

When it comes to our European allies, Donald Trump's policy the last four years was drastic, if somewhat peripheral to other goals: ending Europe's freeloading off U.S. defense. The effort seems to have been largely successful—for now. Think what you will of his rhetoric and its effect on transatlantic goodwill, but the president's overarching objective looks more attainable now than ever.
European leaders reacted to Trump by opening a discussion about the possibility of Europe's "strategic autonomy." Adjusted for feasibility, Europe seems more willing than ever to bear the burden of its own security, yet its intention in doing so is not to strengthen NATO—much less to compensate America—but to pursue a more self-interested realism. For all the proclamations of a transatlantic "reset" from both Joe Biden and the EU, the real game-changer in the wake of Trump is Europe's evolving definition of its own interests, in which America is bound to play a lesser role.
The meaning of European "strategic autonomy," however, remains astoundingly unclear thanks to divisions within the EU—in particular, the opposing geostrategic persuasions of France and Germany. The buzzphrase is Emmanuel Macron's brainchild, and in some ways it extends France's post-World War II souverainism to a European scope. But the French president's Euro-Gaullism need not worry Americans in the way that Charles de Gaulle's aversion towards U.S. influence in Europe did in the 1950s and 1960s. That this debate sprang from Trump's shock win in 2016 but has only accelerated since last month's election is no coincidence. Satisfying the key U.S. demand of enhanced military preparedness is one pillar of Macron's vision, but it is also informed by a willingness to face China's menacing rise. Other U.S.-compatible outcomes would be an increased European willingness to patrol its own North African and Eastern Mediterranean neighborhoods, as exhibited this summer with a high-stakes French-Turkish spat over Greece's territorial waters.
But beyond a nominal agreement to speed up the timid military spending surge of the past four years, France finds itself at odds with Germany over Europe's strategic future. The channels through which Europe's beefed-up defense budgets will flow remain as contentious as ever. France is a cheerleader of EU-wide defense cooperation—championing the PESCO and EDF defense programs—to spur economies of scale, knowledge-sharing and avoiding redundancies. These initiatives have caused friction with American priorities, however. France has accused America of hypocrisy for insisting on higher aggregate spending whilst rebuking PESCO and EDF for leaving U.S. contractors out of EU bids. On this score, Biden is likely to find an ally in Germany, where officials have labeled "strategic autonomy" as "protectionist"—nothing short of an insult in EU-speak.
In the issues of industrial policy, telecoms and trade, "strategic autonomy" is divisive inside the EU and bound to concern Americans. A former German diplomat recently used the calumnious term "autarchy" in reference to Macron's plan, casting it as a costly pipe dream that would place Europe at the forefront of de-globalization. Perhaps this laissez-faire critique concerns Macron's talk of onshoring pharmaceutical supply chains in the wake of COVID-19. German drug-makers resent being cut off from cheap Asian suppliers and, zealous of accessing Chinese markets, the country's corporate interests at large are notorious Beijing appeasers.
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during the Climate Ambition Summit 2020 video conference meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on December 12 2020 as this year marks the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement adopted by 196 countries on December 12, 2015. Yoan VALAT / POOL / AFP/Getty
Macron has targeted EU pieties in competition policy too, favoring beefed-up subsidies for European industries to better compete globally. About this other form of market-rigging you won't hear much dissent from Germany, whose national industrial champions are, along with France's, already a favorite of EU state aid at the expense of smaller nations—a qualm voiced recently by former Italian PM Enrico Letta. And this is not to mention areas where America objects to EU protectionism disguised as "strategic autonomy." The EU's plans to turn its single trade policy into an environmental tool through so-called border-adjusted carbon taxes is no U.S. administration's cup of tea, not even Biden's. Other issues, like taxation of offshore U.S. profits and digital policy—which disproportionately affects American tech companies through antitrust fines and privacy rules—have largely been omitted from official pronouncements, but to assume EU plans won't collide at some point with American interests would be naïve.
This all is symptomatic of a larger dissonance, with each side of the French-German tandem of EU power picking fights with strawmen and framing the face-off in a way that advances its own case. Macron's camp has used "European sovereignty" interchangeably with "autonomy," implying that the other side would gladly make the EU an American protectorate, or worse, the geopolitical plaything of the next hegemon. To further blur the lines, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the German defense minister leading the skeptic camp, has labeled her plea as "atlanticist"—mind you, claiming a monopoly on EU-U.S. dialogue is a popular pastime among German politicians. This allows her to claim for her side a range of Baltic and Central European nations who welcome the label, but as NATO poster children resent Germany's chronic under-spending on defense.
Understood charitably, "strategic autonomy" is about making the EU willing and able to wield power commensurate with its market size, geostrategic potential and willingness to advance ideals and interests of its own. But if "strategic autonomy" for Europe sounds like a doctrinal shell that one could fill with any number of ulterior purposes, it's because that's exactly what it is. Macron's grand strategy is thus largely concerned with means—"autonomous to do what?" is the as-yet unanswered question on everyone's minds—and the case for sacrificing EU market orthodoxies and transatlantic goodwill on the altar of strategic muscle has little buy-in beyond French diplomatic and think-tank circles. Meanwhile, Germany's non-negotiable starting point—that no strategic interests are worth pursuing outside the transatlantic mold—ducks the hard question of what Europe should sacrifice to become a better asset to NATO. By scapegoating Gallic souverainism as the only hazard for EU-U.S. amity, the German stance papers over the obvious sore spot: defense underspending, primarily Germany's own.
That Europe may, sooner or later, rouse from its strategic lethargy is unambiguously good news for America, the transatlantic alliance and Europeans themselves. But absent widespread agreement on what exactly "strategic autonomy" would entail, and the kind of partnership with America the EU wants for the future, the ongoing frenzy around the idea will amount to little more than intellectual crossfire.
Jorge González-Gallarza (@JorgeGGallarza) is co-host of the Uncommon Decency podcast on European issues (@UnDecencyPod) and an associate researcher at Fundación Civismo.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-23--PS5 Restock Updates for Best Buy, Antonline, Target, Newegg and More

The PS5 is generally unavailable at major retailers two days before Christmas .
Since being released in November the next-gen Sony Playstation console has been in such high demand that it sells out each time it is restocked .
The shortage of PS5 consoles is partly due to bots and scalpers buying up the consoles , leaving gamers empty-handed .
Walmart said that when it restocked the PS5 on November 25 , it blocked more than 20 million bot attempts to purchase the console in the first 30 minutes .
Despite retailers ' best efforts , a largely online-only release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get their hands on the console .
With only two days to go until Christmas , some die-hard PS5 fans may be tempted to buy a console from a scalper .
However , while the regular PS5 price is $ 499 and the PS5 Digital Edition price is $ 399 , the consoles are being sold for hundreds—sometimes thousands—more by third-party sellers and scalpers .
Retailers , like Target and Best Buy , have not announced any official dates for the next PS5 restock , and nowhere is listing PS5 for sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Sony consoles have often been released with little or no warning , there is a chance that they could become available over the holidays .
Best Buy restocked the PS5 on Monday but the consoles have since sold out .
The retailer did not alert customers as they did last week , so it is worth keeping an eye both on Best Buy 's social media and website .
Target 's PS5 availability varies by store , and it is not currently marked as sold out on the Target website .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has any stock , or use inventory checkers like PopFindr and BrickSeek , but remember that these should be used for reference only .
The console is only available with drive-up or order pick-up once it has been successfully ordered online , and the PS5 is limited to one per customer .
The PS5 is still not showing on the Walmart website as customers are still seeing the `` Oops !
This item is unavailable or on backorder '' message .
Walmart warned its customers about the PS5 drop last week , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailer quietly makes them available again .
Antonline said on Monday that it would be making limited quantities of the PS5 console available throughout the week , but that it would not be announcing when the consoles in stock .
Instead , gamers are encouraged to keep checking the Antonline website as the PS5 could be listed at any time .
Newegg released more PS5 consoles at 8 p.m .
ET on Tuesday and warned its Twitter followers ahead of time .
Follow Newegg on Twitter and turn notifications on to be alerted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Newegg has an auto-notify option for its PS5 bundle which includes the PlayStation 5 console , DualSense controller , Demon 's Souls , and an HD camera for PS5 .
Customers can register a Newegg account , enter their email address , and be notified when the $ 699 bundle is back in stock .
Newsweek has affiliate partnerships .
If you make a purchase using our links , we may earn a share of the sale .

The PS5 is generally unavailable at major retailers two days before Christmas. Since being released in November the next-gen Sony Playstation console has been in such high demand that it sells out each time it is restocked.
The shortage of PS5 consoles is partly due to bots and scalpers buying up the consoles, leaving gamers empty-handed. Walmart said that when it restocked the PS5 on November 25, it blocked more than 20 million bot attempts to purchase the console in the first 30 minutes.
Despite retailers' best efforts, a largely online-only release has seen PlayStation fans compete with bots to get their hands on the console.
With only two days to go until Christmas, some die-hard PS5 fans may be tempted to buy a console from a scalper. However, while the regular PS5 price is $499 and the PS5 Digital Edition price is $399, the consoles are being sold for hundreds—sometimes thousands—more by third-party sellers and scalpers.
Retailers, like Target and Best Buy, have not announced any official dates for the next PS5 restock, and nowhere is listing PS5 for sale at the time of writing. But as the Sony consoles have often been released with little or no warning, there is a chance that they could become available over the holidays.
The PS5 console remains in high demand as we approach Christmas. PlayStation
Best Buy PS5 Restock
Best Buy restocked the PS5 on Monday but the consoles have since sold out. The retailer did not alert customers as they did last week, so it is worth keeping an eye both on Best Buy's social media and website.
Target PS5 Restock
Target's PS5 availability varies by store, and it is not currently marked as sold out on the Target website. Head to Target.com to check local store has any stock, or use inventory checkers like PopFindr and BrickSeek, but remember that these should be used for reference only.
The console is only available with drive-up or order pick-up once it has been successfully ordered online, and the PS5 is limited to one per customer.
Walmart PS5 Restock
The PS5 is still not showing on the Walmart website as customers are still seeing the "Oops! This item is unavailable or on backorder" message. Walmart warned its customers about the PS5 drop last week, but keep checking the website in case the retailer quietly makes them available again.
Antonline PS5 Restock
Antonline said on Monday that it would be making limited quantities of the PS5 console available throughout the week, but that it would not be announcing when the consoles in stock. Instead, gamers are encouraged to keep checking the Antonline website as the PS5 could be listed at any time.
Newegg PS5 Restock
Newegg released more PS5 consoles at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday and warned its Twitter followers ahead of time. Follow Newegg on Twitter and turn notifications on to be alerted when they release more stock.
Additionally, Newegg has an auto-notify option for its PS5 bundle which includes the PlayStation 5 console, DualSense controller, Demon's Souls, and an HD camera for PS5. Customers can register a Newegg account, enter their email address, and be notified when the $699 bundle is back in stock.
Newsweek has affiliate partnerships. If you make a purchase using our links, we may earn a share of the sale.


newsweek--2020-12-23--These Foreign Aid Projects Could Be Scrapped to Fund Larger Stimulus Checks

The $ 900 billion coronavirus stimulus bill agreed by lawmakers has sparked fury among American voters and lawmakers , with warnings that the $ 600 per person payments ordered by the legislation is inadequate and comes too late to help many Americans whose lives have been upturned by the pandemic .
President Donald Trump on Tuesday added his voice to the bipartisan criticism of the `` ridiculously low '' sum , and demanded lawmakers increase the payments to $ 2,000 per person .
Lawmakers also approved a larger $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill , consisting of 12 separate bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
This was not part of the coronavirus stimulus package , but did include a raft of foreign aid payments that critics are now arguing should be scrapped to fund more generous coronavirus checks for Americans .
This is a sensitive area for voters and lawmakers .
Though foreign aid typically makes up around one percent of the entire federal budget , public perception is that the U.S. gives out far more .
Polling suggests Americans believe the country spends up to a third of its entire budget on foreign aid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relatively small amount in the federal budget .
Still , Trump singled out these measures .
`` Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries , lobbyists and special interests , while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it , '' the president said .
It would be wrong to frame foreign aid as free money for countries included , or charity on the part of the U.S .
The government uses aid as leverage to coerce nations into better behaviour on issues like human rights , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy .
Scaling back these commitments will weaken America 's hand in foreign policy , and will also leave vulnerable communities at greater risk of communal violence or state oppression .
For opponents , this will be worth it if the money goes to Americans ( of which there is no guarantee ) .
But foreign policy experts and officials will push back on any attempt to undermine America 's clout abroad .
Egypt—which is in line for $ 1.3 billion in aid via the omnibus bill—is a good example .
The country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant customer for American arms , leverage Washington , D.C. has used to secure Cairo 's cooperation on security issues and with Israel .
Indeed , the bill says this money will be released if Egypt is shown to be `` sustaining the strategic relationship with the United States '' and maintaining its peace with Israel .
The $ 1.3 billion set aside for Egypt is mostly military aid , and has several other conditions attached to it .
For example , $ 225 million will not be released until the secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government—headed by dictator Abdel Fattah al-Sisi—has taken steps to improve its dire human rights situation , enhance its beleaguered democratic institutions , protect women 's rights , and fortify the rule of law , among other things .
Another $ 75 million will be withheld until the secretary of state confirms that the government is `` making clear and consistent progress in releasing political prisoners and providing detainees with due process of law . ''
The bill allows for $ 40 million for higher education programs , of which $ 15 million will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to attend not-for-profit higher education institutions in Egypt .
But all of this depends on Egypt 's conduct .
The bill also says the country must make `` consistent and effective steps to stabilize the economy and implement market-based economic reforms '' —i.e .
align its economy more with American capitalism .
Egypt 's neighbor Israel is also a major beneficiary of the omnibus bill , having been awarded $ 500 million in American funds .
Funding for Israel has long been a bugbear for American progressives and libertarians .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its alliance with Israel , and keen to reap the benefits of Israeli military spending on American arms , some of which is stipulated in law .
Of the funds , $ 50 million has been earmarked for Israeli short range ballistic missile spending with American firms .
Another $ 77 million is for Israel to spend with American firms on the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system .
Elsewhere , the bill provides support for `` necessary expenses '' of the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program , which funds Israeli Arabs attending higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ omnibus also includes $ 5 million to support the settlement of refugees in Israel .
Palestinian authorities will get $ 250 million in economic aid spread over five years , assuming it remains committed to peaceful co-existence with Israel , takes counter-terrorism measures within its territories , and works towards Middle East peace .
Other headline beneficiaries include Sudan , which weeks after being removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List has been awarded $ 700 million in funds , though with stipulations that the country works towards democracy , improves its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new projects funded must be approved by congressional committees .
Ukraine , Nepal , Burma , Cambodia , and Pakistan are all among those in line for hundreds of millions in American aid .
In each , the money is designed to promote democratic values and human rights , and tie the national governments closer to American foreign policy .
The $ 453 million earmarked for Ukraine is to support the country in its ongoing war against Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country .
Military support accounts for $ 275 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance '' —i.e .
American weapons .
The funding excludes the Azov Battalion , a powerful far-right paramilitary group in Ukraine that became influential after the 2014 revolution .
Nepal will get $ 130 million to support its development and democracy efforts .
Caught between India and China , Nepal has significant strategic value and is a key target of economic and diplomatic influence from Beijing .
Another $ 6 million is set aside to protect `` Tibetan culture and language development '' among Tibetan refugee communities in Nepal and India .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. and China , which has sought to scrub Tibetan culture and separatist sentiment .
The bill also pushes back on Chinese encroachment in Hong Kong , providing $ 3 million for `` democracy and internet freedom '' and to provide `` legal and other support for democracy activists '' in the territory .
Burma 's $ 135 million will help `` promote ethnic and religious tolerance '' and mitigate the ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslim minority group there .
The money will help `` sustain ceasefire agreements and further prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill says .
Pakistan will be given $ 15 million `` for democracy programs '' and at least $ 10 million for `` gender programs , '' something that has prompted derision among foreign aid critics .
Sen. Lindsey Graham defended this measure specifically , telling Fox News Tuesday : `` If you 're a young girl in Pakistan , life is pretty tough . ''
Pakistan is among the countries where the bill will support the `` recruitment , training , and retention of women in the judiciary , police , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial and security personnel in such countries to prevent and address gender-based violence , human trafficking , and other practices that disproportionately harm women and girls . ''
Cambodia , meanwhile , will get $ 85 million assuming it pushes back on expanding Chinese influence and claims in the South China Sea , and supports international sanctions on North Korea .
The money will not be released unless government forces `` cease violence and harassment against civil society and the political opposition . ''
Another $ 506 million will go to Belize , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Honduras , Nicaragua and Panama as part of the Central America Regional Security Initiative .
This project is designed to improve security in these countries , which have struggled with drug and gang related violence .
This turmoil is a key driver in migration from Central America to the U.S. , a key Trump grievance and central to modern American nationalism .
Other programs at risk if foreign aid is cut include the `` transnational threat of wildlife poaching and trafficking , '' to which the bill apportions $ 101 million .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ societies '' will get $ 2.5 million in funding .

The $900 billion coronavirus stimulus bill agreed by lawmakers has sparked fury among American voters and lawmakers, with warnings that the $600 per person payments ordered by the legislation is inadequate and comes too late to help many Americans whose lives have been upturned by the pandemic.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday added his voice to the bipartisan criticism of the "ridiculously low" sum, and demanded lawmakers increase the payments to $2,000 per person.
Lawmakers also approved a larger $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill, consisting of 12 separate bills to fund the government during fiscal year 2021. This was not part of the coronavirus stimulus package, but did include a raft of foreign aid payments that critics are now arguing should be scrapped to fund more generous coronavirus checks for Americans.
This is a sensitive area for voters and lawmakers. Though foreign aid typically makes up around one percent of the entire federal budget, public perception is that the U.S. gives out far more. Polling suggests Americans believe the country spends up to a third of its entire budget on foreign aid.
Scrapping foreign aid alone would free up a relatively small amount in the federal budget. Still, Trump singled out these measures. "Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries, lobbyists and special interests, while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it," the president said.
It would be wrong to frame foreign aid as free money for countries included, or charity on the part of the U.S. The government uses aid as leverage to coerce nations into better behaviour on issues like human rights, or simply to align themselves closer to American policy.
Scaling back these commitments will weaken America's hand in foreign policy, and will also leave vulnerable communities at greater risk of communal violence or state oppression. For opponents, this will be worth it if the money goes to Americans (of which there is no guarantee). But foreign policy experts and officials will push back on any attempt to undermine America's clout abroad.
Egypt—which is in line for $1.3 billion in aid via the omnibus bill—is a good example. The country has long been a U.S. ally and a significant customer for American arms, leverage Washington, D.C. has used to secure Cairo's cooperation on security issues and with Israel.
Indeed, the bill says this money will be released if Egypt is shown to be "sustaining the strategic relationship with the United States" and maintaining its peace with Israel.
The $1.3 billion set aside for Egypt is mostly military aid, and has several other conditions attached to it.
For example, $225 million will not be released until the secretary of state tells Congress that the Egyptian government—headed by dictator Abdel Fattah al-Sisi—has taken steps to improve its dire human rights situation, enhance its beleaguered democratic institutions, protect women's rights, and fortify the rule of law, among other things.
Another $75 million will be withheld until the secretary of state confirms that the government is "making clear and consistent progress in releasing political prisoners and providing detainees with due process of law."
The bill allows for $40 million for higher education programs, of which $15 million will cover scholarships for Egyptian students needing financial aid to attend not-for-profit higher education institutions in Egypt.
But all of this depends on Egypt's conduct. The bill also says the country must make "consistent and effective steps to stabilize the economy and implement market-based economic reforms"—i.e. align its economy more with American capitalism.
Egypt's neighbor Israel is also a major beneficiary of the omnibus bill, having been awarded $500 million in American funds. Funding for Israel has long been a bugbear for American progressives and libertarians.
But the political establishment in the U.S. remains committed to its alliance with Israel, and keen to reap the benefits of Israeli military spending on American arms, some of which is stipulated in law.
Of the funds, $50 million has been earmarked for Israeli short range ballistic missile spending with American firms. Another $77 million is for Israel to spend with American firms on the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system.
Elsewhere, the bill provides support for "necessary expenses" of the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program, which funds Israeli Arabs attending higher education institutions in the U.S. The omnibus also includes $5 million to support the settlement of refugees in Israel.
Palestinian authorities will get $250 million in economic aid spread over five years, assuming it remains committed to peaceful co-existence with Israel, takes counter-terrorism measures within its territories, and works towards Middle East peace.
Other headline beneficiaries include Sudan, which weeks after being removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List has been awarded $700 million in funds, though with stipulations that the country works towards democracy, improves its human rights situation, and that any new projects funded must be approved by congressional committees.
Ukraine, Nepal, Burma, Cambodia, and Pakistan are all among those in line for hundreds of millions in American aid. In each, the money is designed to promote democratic values and human rights, and tie the national governments closer to American foreign policy.
The $453 million earmarked for Ukraine is to support the country in its ongoing war against Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country. Military support accounts for $275 million of the total, including "lethal assistance"—i.e. American weapons. The funding excludes the Azov Battalion, a powerful far-right paramilitary group in Ukraine that became influential after the 2014 revolution.
Nepal will get $130 million to support its development and democracy efforts. Caught between India and China, Nepal has significant strategic value and is a key target of economic and diplomatic influence from Beijing.
Another $6 million is set aside to protect "Tibetan culture and language development" among Tibetan refugee communities in Nepal and India. This issue remains a source of tensions between the U.S. and China, which has sought to scrub Tibetan culture and separatist sentiment.
The bill also pushes back on Chinese encroachment in Hong Kong, providing $3 million for "democracy and internet freedom" and to provide "legal and other support for democracy activists" in the territory.
Burma's $135 million will help "promote ethnic and religious tolerance" and mitigate the ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslim minority group there. The money will help "sustain ceasefire agreements and further prospects for reconciliation and peace," the bill says.
Pakistan will be given $15 million "for democracy programs" and at least $10 million for "gender programs," something that has prompted derision among foreign aid critics. Sen. Lindsey Graham defended this measure specifically, telling Fox News Tuesday: "If you're a young girl in Pakistan, life is pretty tough."
Pakistan is among the countries where the bill will support the "recruitment, training, and retention of women in the judiciary, police, and other security forces, and to train judicial and security personnel in such countries to prevent and address gender-based violence, human trafficking, and other practices that disproportionately harm women and girls."
Cambodia, meanwhile, will get $85 million assuming it pushes back on expanding Chinese influence and claims in the South China Sea, and supports international sanctions on North Korea. The money will not be released unless government forces "cease violence and harassment against civil society and the political opposition."
Another $506 million will go to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama as part of the Central America Regional Security Initiative.
This project is designed to improve security in these countries, which have struggled with drug and gang related violence. This turmoil is a key driver in migration from Central America to the U.S., a key Trump grievance and central to modern American nationalism.
Other programs at risk if foreign aid is cut include the "transnational threat of wildlife poaching and trafficking," to which the bill apportions $101 million. Support for "internet freedom in closed societies" will get $2.5 million in funding.