Biden administration proposes new rules limiting AI chip exports
With just a week left until he leaves office, President Joe Biden is making his last few policy changes as president. On Monday, Jan. 13, the Biden administration proposed a new framework for how advanced computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence are exported.
The changes would help facilitate sales to allied nations while curbing access to countries where there are national security risks, like China. However, the proposal is raising concerns of chip industry executives, who said the rules would limit access to existing chips used for video games.
They also said the rules would restrict the chips used for data centers and AI products in 120 countries, limiting access to U.S. allies like Mexico, Portugal, Israel and Switzerland.
The Biden administration said the framework is designed to “safeguard the most advanced AI technology and ensure that it stays out of the hands of our foreign adversaries” but also enable the broad “diffusion and sharing of the benefits with partner countries.”
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the framework would ensure that the most cutting-edge aspects of AI would be developed within the United States and with its closest allies, instead of possibly being handed over to other countries.
Because the framework includes a 120-day comment period, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration would be in charge of seeing it through and determining the rules for international sales of advanced computer chips.
Progress in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas
As most of the attention in the Middle East this week has been on the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, progress is now being reported in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. The potential ceasefire would be for a period of 60 days.
A new plan, proposed by Egypt and supported by the United States, would see the militant group agree that it would allow Israeli forces to remain in Gaza, at least temporarily, when the fighting stops. Also, Hamas has now handed over a list of hostages, including some American citizens, that it would release.
Israel believes that 96 hostages, taken by the terror group in the October 2023 attack, remain in Gaza. However, the Israel Defense Forces has confirmed at least 30 are dead. Seven of the remaining hostages are Americans.
Mediators said a ceasefire deal would entail the release of up to 30 hostages now held in Gaza. That release would include women and the elderly.
In exchange, Israel would free Palestinian prisoners and allow greater humanitarian aid to make its way into Gaza.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to be in the region to push for the deal. Analysts believe Hamas is more open to compromise since its ally, the Islamic militant group Hezbollah, agreed to a ceasefire with Israel to curb fighting in Lebanon in November.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed there are developments in the ceasefire talks. However, it’s too early to tell whether an agreement will be reached.
US, Saudi Arabia discuss security agreement, excluding Israel: Report
The United States and Saudi Arabia are discussing a security agreement without Israeli involvement, according to Axios. Before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia were attempting to broker a deal that would’ve secured peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The Hamas terror attack shattered talks for the agreement. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said he wouldn’t recognize Israel without a Palestinian state.
This comes as the war between Israel and Hamas continues in Gaza, and as it continues for Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser visited the White House last week, Axios reported. He met U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Their talks focused on strengthening relations between the two countries. They hoped to get security, technology and economic agreements signed before President Biden leaves office in January.
Those familiar told Axios the goal is to create a bilateral U.S.-Saudi security agreement. This would be similar to those recently signed by Biden with other Gulf countries.
Those agreements have reinforced U.S. presence in the region. The White House has attempted to counter the expanding influence of Russia and China in the Gulf region.
White House orders Pentagon, intelligence agencies to ramp up AI use
The White House has directed the Pentagon and other intelligence agencies to ramp up their use of artificial intelligence. This effort aims to curb competition from China and other adversaries and ensure agencies have the latest, most powerful technology.
The guidelines, laid out in a national security memo released Thursday, Oct. 24, come on the heels of an ambitious executive order from President Joe Biden. Last year, he called on federal agencies to create policies for using AI.
Recent advances in artificial intelligence have been hailed as potentially transformative for many sectors. Experts said this includes the military, national security and intelligence. However, there are risks to the government harnessing this technology — like its potential use for mass surveillance, cyberattacks or even lethal autonomous devices.
“There may be capabilities or novel legal issues that just haven’t emerged yet,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday during an appearance at National Defense University in Washington. “We must, and we will ensure our governance and our guardrails can adapt to meet the moment, no matter what it looks like or how quickly it comes.”
In the national security memo, the Biden administration also said it is prohibiting certain uses of the technology. The memo states using AI in ways that would violate civil rights and or using it to automate the deployment of nuclear weapons would be prohibited.
US may effectively ban Chinese-made vehicles over national security concerns
The U.S. government may soon effectively prohibit the entry of Chinese-made vehicles as part of a new proposal aimed at addressing national security concerns. On Monday, Sept. 23, the Biden administration announced that it is considering new regulations that would restrict the use of certain Chinese technology in vehicles operating on American roads.
“Chinese automakers are seeking to dominate connected vehicle technologies in the United States and globally, posing new threats to our national security, including through our supply chains,” the White House said in a statement regarding the move. “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring that our automotive supply chains are resilient and secure from foreign threats.”
This proposal by the U.S. Commerce Department focuses on banning the use of key Chinese software and hardware in “connected” vehicles. Connected vehicles are those equipped with network hardware enabling internet access as well as data-sharing capabilities with devices both inside and outside the car. The new rule would extend to similar technology from other foreign adversaries, including Russia. Officials cited the potential for foreign countries to use these systems for espionage or sabotage.
“When foreign adversaries build software to make a vehicle that means it can be used for surveillance, can be remotely controlled, which threatens the privacy and safety of Americans on the road,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said. “In an extreme situation, a foreign adversary could shut down or take control of all their vehicles operating in the United States all at the same time.”
According to the government, this connected technology could allow foreign entities to monitor U.S. drivers or disrupt vehicle systems, potentially leading to accidents or the blocking of roadways. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the more vehicles utilizing these technologies are deployed in the U.S., the higher the risk of malicious interference.
“Connected vehicles and the technology they use bring new vulnerabilities and threats, especially in the case of vehicles or components developed in the P.R.C. and other countries of concern,” Sullivan said. “With potentially millions of vehicles on the road, each with 10- to 15-year lifespans the risk of disruption and sabotage increases dramatically.”
The proposed ban would require automakers to phase out the use of these technologies in the coming years. For software-related components, the restrictions would take effect beginning with vehicles from the 2027 model year, while hardware bans would apply starting in 2029. The Commerce Department is offering a 30-day public comment period on the proposed rule before the Commerce Department plans to finalize the regulation by January 20th, 2025.
US, Ukraine set to sign 10-year security pact at G7 summit
President Joe Biden is in Italy Thursday, June 13, for the G7 summit, where he is expected to sign a 10-year bilateral security pact with Ukraine. This agreement is said to better strengthen the long-term security relationship between the two nations, with commitments to continue training Ukrainian armed forces, enhance weapons production cooperation and increase intelligence sharing.
The G7 is an informal group that holds an annual summit where leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States come together to discuss economic policy and security issues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also joining.
Today is the G7 Summit in Italy, a meeting of our closest partners. Much of it will be dedicated to Ukraine, our defense, and economic resilience. And we look forward to important decisions today.
For us, the main issues are developing fighter jet coalition, expediting pilot…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 13, 2024
The G7 leaders are also set to endorse a plan to provide Ukraine with $50 billion in loans, using frozen Russian assets to fund the initiative.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan mentioned that, while the major aspects of the plan have been agreed upon, some details will still need to be finalized.
Additionally, on Wednesday, June 12, the U.S. expanded its sanctions against Moscow to include Chinese companies that supply semiconductors. This move aims to pressure Beijing over its support for Russia and address issues of industrial overcapacity.
The summit will also address other critical global issues, including the middle east, migration, and artificial intelligence.
Iranian president killed in helicopter crash
Iranian officials provide updates after the country’s president is killed in a helicopter crash. And President Joe Biden delivers a commencement address at Morehouse College. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, May 20, 2024.
Rescue teams found the helicopter hours after it was reported missing following what officials described as a “hard landing.” Officials said there were “no signs of life.”
Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, will serve as acting president until an election is held.
Neighboring countries and allies of Iran — including Pakistan, Lebanon and Syria — have issued condolences and announced days of mourning. India’s Prime Minister expressed solidarity with Iran during this time of sorrow and Russian President Vladimir Putin remembered Raisi as “a true friend of Russia.”
The U.S. has not yet publicly commented on Raisi’s death, but the White House press secretary noted that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident.
U.S. National Security Advisor speaks with Netanyahu on war in Gaza
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders in Jerusalem on Sunday, May 19. According to the White House, the talks focused on the war in Gaza, including discussions to secure the remaining hostages and the shared objective to defeat Hamas.
Israeli officials briefed Sullivan on the country’s military operations, while Sullivan reiterated President Biden’s position on an offensive in Rafah. Sullivan also emphasized the need for more humanitarian aid for Palestinians and steps to ensure the safety of aid workers.
The meeting occurred a day after a member of the Israeli three-man war cabinet, Benny Gantz, threatened to resign from the government if Israel does not adopt a strategic plan for a post-war Gaza by June 8.
In addition, Sullivan arrived in Israel following a meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. The White House stated that those talks “focused on a comprehensive vision for an integrated Middle East region.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian officials indicated that they discussed a “semi-final” version of a security agreement between the two countries.
Bidenaddresses Black voters in Morehouse College, NAACP speeches
President Joe Biden delivered two speeches on Sunday, May 19, focusing on Black voters as he seeks their support in the upcoming election. First, in Atlanta, Biden gave the commencement address at Morehouse College, a historically Black liberal arts college for men.
During his speech, he discussed the war in Gaza and the need for an immediate ceasefire, facing protests from some students who turned their chairs away as he spoke. Biden also addressed racial injustice in the country.
“It’s natural to wonder if democracy you hear about actually works for you,” Biden said. “What is democracy if Black men are being killed in the street? What is democracy if a trail of broken promises still leave Black communities behind? What is democracy if you have to be 10 times better than anyone else to get a fair shot? And most of all, what does it mean, as we’ve heard before, to be a Black man who loves his country even if it doesn’t love him back in equal measure?”
Biden then traveled to Detroit where he spoke at the NAACP “Fight for Freedom Fund” dinner. He highlighted the crucial role their votes played in his election as president.
A recent poll by The Washington Post found that 42% of Black Americans say they will “definitely vote” for Biden. The poll also indicated that certainty among Black voters to participate in this election has decreased to 62 percent from 74 percent four years ago.
Trump trial to resume; former president receives NRA endorsement
Cross-examination will continue for Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen as the ex-president’s criminal trial progresses today in New York.
Prosecutors will have another chance to question their key witness. They are expected to rest their case, alleging that Trump falsified business records, a charge he denies. It remains unclear if the defense will call any witnesses, including Trump. The former president has expressed interest in testifying.
The judge has indicated that closing arguments could start as early as Tuesday, May 21. As Trump prepares to return to the courtroom, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee received an endorsement from the National Rifle Association over the weekend.
Speaking at the NRA’s annual convention in Dallas, Trump urged members to vote in November.
“I don’t know what it is,” Trump said. “Perhaps it’s a form of rebellion because you’re rebellious people, aren’t you? But gun owners don’t vote. What is that all about? If gun owners voted, we would swamp them at levels that nobody’s ever seen before. So I think you’re a rebellious bunch, but let’s be rebellious and vote this time, okay?”
This was the ninth time the former president addressed the group. The NRA also endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020.
Blue Origin breaks 2 year hiatus, launches 6 passengers to edge of space
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket successfully launched six passengers to the edge of space on Sunday, May 19, marking the end of a nearly two-year hiatus triggered by a failed test flight. From West Texas, the launch carried venture capitalist Mason Angel and retired U.S. Air Force Captain Ed Dwight.
Former President John F. Kennedy selected Dwight in 1961 as the first Black astronaut candidate. During the NS-25 mission, he set a new record by becoming the oldest person, at 90, to reach the edge of space.
Following a successful uncrewed science mission in December, this launch marked a significant recovery from a 2022 incident where a rocket failed during lift-off due to an engine nozzle issue. Blue Origin has since made design changes to the combustion chamber and nozzle.
Before the 2022 setback, Blue Origin had achieved 22 successful missions, carrying notable passengers like Jeff Bezos and William Shatner.
American Xander Schauffele wins PGA Championship for his first major
Aid package to Ukraine ‘not aimed at achieving victory’
The United States has passed a Ukraine aid bill and is sending more than a billion dollars worth of weaponry to Ukraine. So, that means Ukraine can finally win the war with Russia, right? Well, no. Not at all really.
“This aid is not aimed at achieving victory, but rather at avoiding a clear loss,” said Irina Tsukerman, a human rights and national security lawyer, as well as a geopolitical analyst.
Tsukerman said while Congress debated whether to send more aid for months, Ukrainian soldiers were forced to ration everything, even bullets.
Once President Joe Biden signed the over $61 billion aid bill into law, he immediately used his drawdown authority to put together an initial aid package totaling more than $1 billion. However, not all of that money is going to Ukraine; around three-quarters of the funds from the package will be spent in the U.S. to restock its own supplies.
What is included for Ukraine in this first tranche is ammunition for pretty much every kind of U.S. weapon in Ukraine — small arms rounds for rifles, several types of missiles for air defense systems, artillery — including high explosive and cluster rounds, more Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and the long-range variant of the ATACMS missile, which is designed to be used against more hardened targets like buildings and bunkers.
Many in Congress thought this would be the first time the long-range ATACMS would be sent to Ukraine. But, after Biden signed the aid deal into law, National Security advisor Jake Sullivan revealed the U.S. had already secretly sent some long-range ATACMS to Ukraine in February and March, and that they were used against a Russian airfield in Crimea.
The attack proves Ukraine can use the ground-launched weapons to strike hardened Russian targets up to 200 miles away. So, more Russian logistics hubs, command centers and other sensitive sites are now at much greater risk.
Tsukerman emphasized that while Ukraine will find ways to ration its new supply of ATACMS effectively, the weapons won’t be enough to secure a Ukrainian victory.
“All [the ATACMS are] doing is offsetting a very serious disadvantage that [the Ukrainians] have had since the end of their own counter-offensive until the present day,” Tsukerman said.
Tsukerman suggested that significantly more ammunition and more Patriot batteries should be sent over. Germany indicated it may send another Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. Tsukerman also said Israel may have some air defense systems to spare.
Israel’s relationship with Russia is complicated, and there were some concerns that Israel’s air defense systems may not be able to stop Russian weapons since they were designed to counter Iranian threats. However, since Russia is relying more and more on Iranian weapons to attack Ukraine, Israeli air defenses would likely work just fine.
‘Netanyahu has lost his way’: Schumer calls for new elections in Israel
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called for new elections in Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Schumer also expressed support for a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas but opposed a permanent one, arguing it would allow Hamas to regroup.
On Thursday, March 14, Schumer — the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S. — made the call for new elections during remarks on the Senate floor, citing the need for change in Israeli leadership.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel,” Schumer said.
On March 12, tensions escalated between the United States and Israel as a “very senior Israeli official” criticized a U.S. intelligence report suggesting Netanyahu’s government viability might be in jeopardy, according to the Times of Israel.
The report anticipated large protests demanding Netanyahu’s resignation and new elections. In response to the report, Netanyahu vowed to win the ongoing conflict with Hamas and emphasized the overwhelming support from the American people and Congress.
Also on March 12, national security adviser Jake Sullivan responded to reports that the U.S. was considering withholding aid to Israel if it moved forward with a ground offensive in Rafah.
Sullivan denied the reports, stating they were “uninformed speculation.” However, he did express the importance of avoiding civilian deaths in any Israeli operation.
Senators say WHO pandemic treaty could destroy innovation ecosystem
The World Health Organization is developing a pandemic treaty that it contends will help prevent pandemics and increase preparedness to save lives, reduce disease burden and protect livelihoods. The WHO said it’s doing this because the international community’s response to COVID-19 was a “catastrophic failure.”
However, a bipartisan group of senators is telling the Biden administration it is concerned the treaty could undermine intellectual property laws and, in turn, disincentivize research and development into vaccines.
A draft of the treaty reveals it could require countries to provide “real-time access by WHO to 20% of the production of safe, efficacious and effective pandemic-related products, including diagnostics, vaccines, personal protective equipment and therapeutics, to enable equitable distribution…”
“This means that if a company successfully develops a pandemic-related product, that company will not be able to realize any return on investment,” Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and James Lankford, R-Okla., wrote in a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“Alarmingly, such a provision may lead companies to refrain altogether from developing new pandemic-related products and instead choose to invest in other areas that do not involve the same legal risks,” the letter says. “If such a policy had been in place ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, it could have prevented innovations critical to ending the global public health emergency, such as mRNA vaccines or Paxlovid.”
A public comment period on these treaty provisions closed on Jan. 22. The Health and Human Services Department asked the public to specifically address incentives, research and collaboration when providing responses.
The senators are asking the Biden administration to seek significantly more public feedback through hearings and studies.
“The draft agreement under consideration, however, contains many provisions that would undercut — if not destroy — the very aspects of our innovation ecosystem that just recently produced such positive results,” the senators wrote.
The WHO wants to finalize the draft of the treaty so it can be formally debated and considered at the World Health Assembly, which begins May 27.