The United States is committed to helping both Israel and Ukraine in their respective wars. If that support is going to be long-term, the U.S. defensive industrial base needs to increase production across the board, and Congress needs to find some common ground.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden said the U.S. was committed to helping Ukraine for as long as it takes. More than $40 billion in weapons and aid is already committed.
After Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, killing more than 1200 people — men, women, and children — and taking dozens of hostages, the United States said it stands firmly with the Jewish state and fully supported its right to defend itself.
So far, that support includes moving a carrier strike group into the eastern Mediterranean Sea, augmenting the Air Force’s jet fighter squadrons in the region, moving a Marine Corps AUG/MEU to the region, and transferring weaponry to Israel. Some of the weaponry included ammunition for the Iron Dome system, which the U.S. was already storing in the Middle East.
Hamas terrorists already fired thousands of rockets into Israel at the start of its attack. The barrage of rockets continues. Hamas released a video showing, in part, how the group managed to make so many projectiles: digging up Gaza’s irrigation infrastructure.
The video begs the question: Even if Israel restored water to the Palestinian territory, how would it be distributed with no infrastructure?
In order to accomplish its goal of rooting out Hamas terrorists once and for all, Israel will likely launch a ground invasion into Gaza. Israel’s defensive industrial base is certainly capable; however, a prolonged ground war will drain any nation’s resources. If the ground war in Gaza is a months-long conflict, Israel will need U.S. support to sustain operations.
Ukraine currently needs artillery ammunition more than Israel, but that could change. Worldwide artillery stockpiles are depleted as both Ukraine and Russia fire thousands of artillery rounds every day. Israel needs more precision guided munitions. Both countries need more air defense systems, tank rounds and small arms rounds.
The Pentagon is lobbying private contractors to ramp up production and speed up deliveries, but aid to Israel and Ukraine depends on more than just private industry. Dysfunction in Congress — specifically the House of Representatives — could delay the delivery of future aid to both Israel and Ukraine.
“I think in the immediate term, right now, we can continue to support with the authorities and the appropriations we have, Israel and Ukraine. But, you know, we’re certainly running out of runway.” National Security spokesperson John Kirby said during a press conference on Oct. 11.
The Pentagon has a little over $5 billion left in an account for Ukraine aid. The most recent aid package announced for Ukraine totals about $200 million and includes artillery round, missiles and small arms munitions. Based on current spending, the $5 billion should be enough to last for about six months. The White House said it’s only enough for two months.
A bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate seeks to roll aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan into one large bill. But again, the House writes the checks for the U.S. government, and would need to sign off on the plan.
