| BIDEN: CIVILIANS MUST BE PROTECTED: Over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced what he called "our second independence war" as Israeli troops backed by fighter jets attacked some 600 targets in Gaza. "This is the second stage of the war, which our cause is very clear: to destroy the military and government ability of Hamas and return our victim's home," Netanyahu said in a Saturday news conference. "Citizens of Israel, soldiers are fighting at the moment, in the air, ground, and sea, inside Gaza and outside Gaza. … They are ready to make sure that the murderers are going to pay the price for the massacre. They're going to abolish this evil in order for all humanity." With deaths of Palestinian civilians exceeding 8,000 by some counts, President Joe Biden implored Netanyahu to allow more to protect innocent life, according to a White House readout of a Sunday phone call between the two leaders. "The president underscored the need to immediately and significantly increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza," as well as reiterated that Israel's legitimate right to defend itself against terrorism must be done "in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law that prioritizes the protection of civilians." The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a similar conversation with his counterpart, Yoav Gallant, underscoring the "importance of protecting civilians" and the "urgency of humanitarian aid delivery." NETANYAHU: ISRAEL'S CRITICS 'WRONG': In his Saturday news conference, Netanyahu rejected the charge that the thousands of civilian deaths in Gaza amounted to a war crime. "The people that are blaming us for crime against humanity, our soldiers, they're completely wrong," he said. "We call the civilian population to please go to the safe area of the Strip," saying the deaths were the result of the cynical tactic of Hamas in using their population as human shields." "It is absolutely true that Hamas is doing everything in its power to put those people in harm's way, to use them as human shields, to hide rocket infrastructure and other forms of terrorist infrastructure among civilian areas," national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on ABC. "But it doesn't lessen their responsibility under international humanitarian law." "There is a burden on Israel to take the necessary steps to distinguish between Hamas, who does not represent the Palestinian people, and innocent Palestinian civilians," Sullivan said. "There have been deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians in this conflict, and that is an absolute tragedy. Those people did not deserve to die. Those people deserved to live lives of peace and sanctity and dignity." JAKE SULLIVAN HIGHLIGHTS ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF, STRESSES DUTY TO SEPARATE CIVILIANS SMITH: THERE IS RISK TO ISRAEL'S APPROACH: Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said Israel risks losing international support and widening the war if it pursues a scorched-earth strategy that ignores the plight of innocent civilians. "I strongly support the goal of significantly degrading and ultimately eliminating the Hamas terrorist organization," Smith said in a statement. "This goal, however, will be more likely to be achieved if we also recognize and work to reduce the suffering of Palestinian civilians." "I understand the risk that, no matter the safeguards, some of these supplies might fall into the hands of Hamas. But the risk of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza if these supplies are not let in is far greater," he argued. "The anger at that cost will without question serve as fertile terrorist recruiting ground for Hamas and other extremist organizations, while also increasing the risk the conflict would expand to other parts of the Middle East." "Hamas uses civilians as human shields and hides fighters and weapons in civilian locations like schools and mosques," Smith said. "But Israel must understand that the struggle against the Hamas terrorist organization will not be won in weeks or months. It will be a long struggle, one more likely to be won if Israel shows that, unlike Hamas, they value all lives and will work to reduce the suffering of all civilians in this horrific conflict." US AND UN HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AT ODDS ON HAMAS DEATH TOLL NUMBERS Good Monday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Conrad Hoyt. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE Subscribe today to the Washington Examiner magazine and get Washington Briefing: politics and policy stories that will keep you up to date with what's going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Just $1.00 an issue! HAPPENING TOMORROW: Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday on the need for emergency supplemental appropriations for both Israel and Ukraine as it appears newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) wants to fund Israel but not Ukraine. Citing sources who were on Johnson's GOP conference call on Sunday, CNN reported Johnson is ready to move forward with $14.5 billion in aid for Israel when the House returns later this week but wants Ukraine aid considered in a separate bill, given the opposition to it by some hard-line Republicans in his caucus. President Joe Biden has requested $105 billion for urgent needs, including $61 billion for military and economic assistance to Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion for humanitarian assistance for civilians in Ukraine and Gaza, $4 billion to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific, and $3.4 billion to boost the submarine industrial base. COUNTERING CHINA: The ranking Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations, Armed Services, and Intelligence committees are calling on Biden to do more to support the Philippines following repeated "aggressive incidents" by China's navy in the South China Sea. "Your administration has repeatedly stated that an attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces — including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea — would invoke the U.S. mutual defense commitments. ... China's actions are testing the credibility and value of these commitments, and we must respond with strength," Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) wrote in a letter to Biden. "We request your administration provide us with a full list of plans, branches, and sequels or other diplomatic or non-defense options developed by the Departments of State and Defense to support the Philippines and ensure the resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre." "On October 22, the Philippines attempted to resupply the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine vessel grounded on a reef in the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The PRC's Coast Guard and maritime militia — once again — obstructed this mission," the senators wrote. "China is on the verge of willfully triggering a humanitarian crisis by blocking the resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre." BIDEN'S FRIDAY MEETING WITH WANG: As was reported last week, Biden met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the White House on Friday in what was seen as a prelude to a possible summit meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in San Francisco. Wang's one-hour session with Biden followed extended discussions over two days with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which were described by the State Department as "constructive and in-depth." "The secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," according to a statement from State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. Blinken also raised concerns about China's actions in the South China Sea and East China Sea, in particular the "dangerous and unlawful actions" in obstructing an Oct. 22 Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. Blinken was also said to have emphasized that the U.S. will continue to use diplomacy to advance U.S. interests and values and reiterated the importance of resuming military-to-military channels to reduce the risk of miscalculation. IRAN PROXIES UNDETERRED BY SYRIA STRIKES: Thursday's U.S. airstrikes against Iranian-backed proxy forces in Syria destroyed two weapons and ammunition storage facilities used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the Pentagon, but they didn't stop it from attacking again with drones the next day. "U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked at least 14 separate times in Iraq and six separate times in Syria by a mix of one-way attack drones and rockets, for a total of 20 attacks to date," the Pentagon said in a statement. "Most of these attacks were disrupted by defensive measures and failed to reach their targets." "Is Iran really getting the message?" ABC's Martha Raddatz asked national security adviser Jake Sullivan yesterday. "The president has been very straightforward on this," he responded. "If American troops are attacked by Iran and its proxies, we will respond. We did respond. If attacks continue, we will respond." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The RundownWashington Examiner: Biden defends air strikes on targets in Syria: 'Necessary and proportionate' Washington Examiner: Jake Sullivan highlights Israel's right to defend itself, stresses duty to separate civilians Washington Examiner: IDF claims Hamas has operations base under Shifa Hospital in Gaza City Washington Examiner: Israeli forces increase intensity of attacks in Gaza Washington Examiner: Israel war: US and UN health organizations at odds on Hamas death toll numbers Washington Examiner: Israel war: John Kirby says White House saw antisemitism 'threat coming early on' Oct. 7 Washington Examiner: DOD to pursue new variant of B61 nuclear gravity bomb Washington Examiner: Chinese foreign minister claims path to Biden-Xi meeting would not be 'smooth sailing' Washington Examiner: US and Middle East allies face reckoning as Israel war rages Washington Examiner: Sen. Tim Scott joins calls to defund universities allowing antisemitic protests Washington Examiner: Organizer of AI 'pause' letter warns Congress is not moving fast enough Washington Examiner: China holds 'strategic' talks with Iran after Hamas terrorist attack Washington Examiner: US sanctions Iranian military officials for 'financing and training Hamas' Washington Examiner: Muslims in Russia protest arrival of Israelis by descending on airport Washington Examiner: Donald Trump gag order reinstated after recent string of comments Washington Examiner: Opinion: Jared Kushner could be correct that Saudi Arabia still wants relations with Israel AP: Netanyahu Says the Gaza War Has Entered a New Stage and Will Be 'Long and Difficult' New York Times: How Years Of Israeli Failures On Hamas Led To A Devastating Attack Bloomberg: Johnson Says He Expects House To Pass Israel Aid Bill This Week CNN: Tuberville Says He Will Keep Blocking Military Promotions Despite Israel's War AP: Misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war is flooding social media. Here are the facts Defense News: Turkey F-16 Sale Not a Done Deal, Even with Sweden's NATO Bid on Track Air & Space Forces Magazine: New Image of B-21 Bomber Tail Shows Different Exhausts and Rear Deck from B-2 Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Raises Age Limit for Recruits to 42. Here's How Many It Expects to Get Air & Space Forces Magazine: B-1 and B-52 Bombers Crisscross Europe, Integrating with NATO Allies Air & Space Forces Magazine: Yokota Airmen Practice Rapid Response to Crises 'Under Pressure' Military Times: Do Troops Have Right to Unanimous Verdicts? Supreme Court Could Weigh In Military.com: First Amendment Advocates Say Air Force Tweak to Public Records Request Process 'Very Troubling' Defense One: L3Harris Points to Suppliers for Slowdown in Rocket-Motor Production Breaking Defense: New Joint Force Space Doctrine Clarifies Space Command's 'Offensive', 'Defensive' Ops SpaceNews: Ground Stations as-a-Service Struggle to Gain Foothold in Military Market DefenseScoop: After 3000.09 update, DOD Stays Quiet on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Reviews CalendarMONDAY | OCTOBER 30 9 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual book discussion: Party of One: The Rise of Xi Jinping and China's Superpower Future, with author Chun Han Wong, Wall Street Journal staff reporter https://www.csis.org/events/book-event-party-one-rise-xi-jinping 10 a.m. — Air & Space Forces Association virtual fireside chat with Minot wing commanders, Col. Daniel Hoadley, commander of the 5th Bomb Wing, and Col. Kenneth McGhee, commander of the 91st Missile Wing https://afa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register 10 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW — U.S. Institute of Peace discussion: "Faith Under Fire in Russia's War on Ukraine," with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch; Yevstratiy Zoria, deputy head of external church relations at the Orthodox Church of Ukraine; Yaakov Dov Bleich, chief rabbi of Kyiv and founder and president of the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine; Anatoliy Kozachok, senior bishop of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church; Vyacheslav Horpynchuk, bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church; Anatoliy Raychynets, deputy secretary general of the Ukrainian Bible Society; Ivan Rusyn, deputy senior bishop of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church; Supreme Mufti of Ukraine Akhmed Tamim, head of the Religious Administration of Ukrainian Muslims; and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center https://www.usip.org/events/faith-under-fire-russias-war-ukraine 6:30 p.m. 1331 Pennsylvania Ave N.W. — National Defense Industrial Association annual SO/LIC (Special Operations-Low Intensity Conflict) Symposium, with Chris Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict; former Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist, NDIA president and CEO; retired Army Gen. Richard Clarke, former commanding general of the U.S. Special Operations Command; retired Army Col. Edwin "Andy" Anderson, recipient of the DeProspero Lifetime Achievement Award; retired Army Maj. Gen. Jim Linder, former chief of staff of the U.S. Special Operations Command; and Sean McFate, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, participate in an awards dinner. RSVP: esocha@ndia.org TUESDAY | OCTOBER 31 8 a.m. 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — National Defense Industrial Association Annual SO/LIC (Special Operations-Low Intensity Conflict) Symposium, with Chris Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict; former Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist; Richard Tilley, director of the Joint Staff J7 Office of Irregular Warfare and Competition; Ukrainian Air Force Maj. Gen. Borys Kremenetskyi, Ukrainian defense attache to the U.S.; Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL); Erin Logan, deputy assistant secretary of defense for special operations policy and programs; Air Force Lt. Gen. Dag Anderson, director of the Joint Staff J7; retired Navy Vice Adm. Timothy Szymanski, former deputy commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA); Elizabeth Phu, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict; Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Conley, director of operations at the Air Force Special Operations Command; retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, associate CIA director for military affairs; Maren Brooks, deputy assistant secretary of defense for irregular warfare and counterterrorism; and David Hale, former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Lebanon, and Jordan. RSVP: esocha@ndia.org 9 a.m. — Henry Stimson Center virtual discussion: "China in South Asia: Understanding Beijing's Evolving Influence in Smaller South Asian States," focusing on Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, with Kalpit Mankikar, fellow at the Observer Research Foundation's Strategic Studies Program; Shafi Mostofa, associate professor at the University of Dhaka; Gaurab Shumsher Thapa, president of the Nepal Forum of International Relations Studies; Nilanthi Samaranayake, visiting expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace; and Kithmina Hewage, senior adviser at the Center for Asian Philanthropy and Society https://www.stimson.org/event/china-in-south-asia 9 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "Unpacking Recent Developments in the Chinese Military: What's Happening within the People's Liberation Army (PLA)?" with Roderick Lee, director of research at the Air University's China Aerospace Studies Institute; Shen Ming-Shih, director of the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Research's Division of National Security Research; and Joel Wuthnow, senior research fellow at the National Defense University's Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs https://www.csis.org/events/unpacking-recent-developments-chinese-military 9:30 a.m. 106 Dirksen — Senate Appropriations Committee hearing: "A Review of the National Security Supplemental Request," with testimony from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin http://appropriations.senate.gov 10 a.m. — Arab Center virtual discussion: "War on Gaza: Causes and Implications, Seen and Unseen," with Dalia Hatuqa, Middle East journalist; Rami Khouri, adjunct professor at the University of Beirut; Daniel Levy, president of the U.S.-Middle East Project; and Mairav Zonszein, senior analyst on Israel-Palestine at the International Crisis Group https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register 12:30 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "The Ideology of Putinism," with Sergei Guriev, provost and professor of economics at Sciences Po; Maria Snegovaya, CSIS senior fellow; and Max Bergmann, director of the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program https://www.csis.org/events/ideology-putinism-sergei-guriev 2 p.m. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion on a new report: "Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks," with Masashi Murano, Hudson Institute Japan chairman; Jenny Town, Stimson Center senior fellow; and Ankit Panda, senior fellow at the CEIP Nuclear Policy Program https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/10/31/new-missile-age 2:30 p.m. Pentagon River Entrance — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosts an enhanced honor cordon to welcome Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles to the Pentagon WEDNESDAY | NOVEMBER 1 9 a.m. 1030 15th St. NW — Atlantic Council and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies second annual Pakistan Conference, with Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S. Masood Khan; and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Horst https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/second-annual-pakistan-conference/ 9:00 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion of a report: "Campaign of Denial: Strengthening Simultaneous Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and Europe," with Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith; and Becca Wasser, senior fellow at the CNAS Defense Program https://www.cnas.org/events/the-challenge-ahead-campaigning-to-deter-global-threats 10 a.m. 2121 K St. NW — International Institute for Strategic Studies discussion: "President Emmanuel Macron: Interpreting his Vision for European Security," with Rym Momtaz, IISS consultant research fellow for European foreign policy and security, and Paul Fraioli, editor of IISS's "Strategic Comments" https://www.iiss.org/events/2023/11/president-emmanuel-macron-interpreting-his-vision 10:30 a.m. Pentagon River Entrance — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosts an enhanced honor cordon to welcome Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman at the Pentagon 1:30 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "Geostrategic challenges and how DIA is posturing to meet them," with Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier; Kari Bingen, director of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project; and Emily Harding, director of the CSIS Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program https://www.csis.org/events/fireside-chat-ltg-berrier 3:30 p.m. 418 Russell — Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing: "Foundation of Care: Examining Research at the Department of Veterans Affairs" https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2023/11/foundation-of-care-examining-research THURSDAY | NOVEMBER 2 12 p.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace virtual discussion: "The Israeli-Hamas War," with Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research; and Aaron David Miller, CEIP senior fellow https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/11/02/israeli-hamas-war 4:30 p.m. — Center for a New American Security discussion: "Artificial Intelligence Governance and National Security," with Lauren Khan, senior analyst at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology; Landon Heid, professional staff member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Community Party; Ainikki Riikonen, independent analyst; and Noah Greene, research assistant at the CNAS AI Safety and Stability Project https://www.cnas.org/events/make-room-study-session-ai-governance-and-national-security FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 3 12 p.m. — American Security Project virtual discussion: "Combating the Military Obesity Crisis," with Courtney Manning, ASP national security research fellow https://www.americansecurityproject.org/event/combating-the-military-obesity-crisis 6 p.m. 14th and F Sts. NW — National Press Club film screening and discussion of "20 Days in Mariupol," focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war, with director Mstyslav Chernov and producer Raney Aronson-Rath. RSVP: cscottmartin@press.org | | | | "After the war, all of us will have to give answers to tough questions, including me. There was a terrible failure. It's going to be investigated. We're going to turn each stone in order." | | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking through a translator at a Saturday news conference in Tel Aviv |
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