The war in the Middle East means top military and diplomatic posts must be filled now, senators say.
As war breaks out in the Middle East, key ambassadorships in the region and top military promotions are languishing in the Senate.Senate Democrats are making a renewed push to force through hundreds of military nominations and a handful of ambassadorships, noting that the war in Israel has added new urgency to break through the logjam.Chris Murphy in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy — includes two picks for the Joint Chiefs and officers leading U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Pentagon officials who briefed senators Tuesday on the Israel crisis emphasized nine senior military positions in the command responsible for the Middle East that are facing disruptions due to Tuberville’s holds, according to a person familiar with the unclassified call, who was granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting. Officials also pushed for the nominees for ambassador to Israel, Egypt and Lebanon to be confirmed.
“I don’t have any better tools than to argue the merits. We cannot help out Israel unless we have our team in the Middle East,” Murphy said. “It’s just critical for us to have our top people in the region in order to be relevant in any political discussions that occur.”, a Biden ally, said for the U.S. to be without an ambassador to Israel right now is “a terrible mistake.”
The more than 300 promotions on hold include Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Gen. David Allvin, Biden’s picks to lead the Navy and Air Force, respectively. The nominees for U.S. ambassador to Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon and the State Department’s counterterrorism coordinator all await votes on the Senate floor. Senate Foreign Relations Chair, for Oct. 18 and has not yet set a hearing for the nominee for Egypt, Herro Mustafa Garg.
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