World Defense Forum
Middle East/Africa Israel’s war on Gaza updates: 215 Palestinians killed in last 24 hours
- Middle East & African Affairs
- 0 Replies
Israel’s war on Gaza updates: 215 Palestinians killed in last 24 hours
By Alastair McCready, Maziar Motamedi and Mersiha Gadzo
Published On 29 Jan 202429 Jan 2024
Click here to share on social media
- A group calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims responsibility for the drone attack that killed three American soldiers and wounded 34 others at a base along the Jordan-Syria border.
- Israeli cabinet ministers attend the “Return to Gaza” conference to plan illegal settlements in the war-ravaged territory.
- Israel pushes on with its assault on Khan Younis as more Palestinians are forced into dangerously overcrowded Rafah city in southern Gaza.
- At least 26,637 people have been killed and 65,387 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas attacks stands at 1,139.
Israel killed 215 Palestinians in Gaza in last 24 hours: Health ministry
Large number of casualties comes days after the top UN court ordered Israel to prevent genocide in besieged Gaza Strip.
[🇺🇦] Ukraine losing Western support makes the US 'more vulnerable' because China is watching the war closely, NATO chief says
- Ukraine Defense Forum
- 0 Replies
Ukraine losing Western support makes the US 'more vulnerable' because China is watching the war closely, NATO chief says
Matthew Loh
18 hrs ago
Jens Stoltenberg said China is closely watching how well Putin can achieve his goals in Ukraine. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images and Federico Gambarini/picture alliance via Getty Images
- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned that Putin achieving his goals in Ukraine sets an example for Beijing.
- China wants to see how long the US can keep up support to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said.
In an interview with Shannon Bream on Fox News, Stoltenberg urged the West to continue sending aid to Kyiv as support for the war wanes in Congress.
"It is important that Putin doesn't get his way in Ukraine, because that will embolden other authoritarian powers," Stoltenberg said. "Today it's Ukraine, tomorrow it may be Taiwan."
GOP congressional leaders, concerned by a surge in undocumented migrants entering the US, have increasingly used approval of aid to Ukraine as a bargaining chip for stricter immigration control.
Stoltenberg said the southern US border crisis is "important in the United States as it is in many other NATO countries."
But he said investing in helping Ukraine resist Moscow's advances is a "good deal" for the Western world.
"We need to realize that this is closely watched in Beijing," he said. "So it's not only making Europe more vulnerable but all of us, also the United States, more vulnerable if Putin gets what he wants in Ukraine."
A further advantage for the US is that it can "destroy and degrade the Russian army" using only a portion of the defense budget, Stoltenberg added.
A US intelligence assessment also found that Russia has lost 87% of the ground troops and two-thirds of the tanks it fielded for its initial invasion of Ukraine, CNN reported in December.
And given recent casualty figures, Russia is on track to lose 500,000 soldiers by the end of 2024, UK intelligence said in early January.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is often compared to a potential assault by Beijing on Taiwan and has surfaced theories as to how the Pentagon may respond to such a scenario.
On Saturday, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi warned that tensions over Taiwan and fears that the island may declare independence are now the biggest challenge for relations between both nations.
Ukraine losing Western support makes the US 'more vulnerable' because China is watching the war closely, NATO chief says
"We need to realize that this is closely watched in Beijing," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, urging the US to continue aid to Ukraine.
www.businessinsider.in
East Asia China's BYD forecasts 2023 net profit to rise as much as 86.5% y/y
- East Asian Affairs
- 1 Replies
Chinese EVs are becoming popular in Southeast Asia these days, as the reputation for poor quality of Chinese cars, especially petrol-cars, is fading away. It’s interesting to see how BYD is going to compete in Southeast Asia because auto/EV markets in this region are not that large compared to the US or European markets. For example, in Vietnam, we haven't even had public charging stations yet and the number of third party charging networks is still limited. So unless BYD is going to build its own charging stations like Vinfast has been doing in VN, I think BYD should focus more on other SEA markets.
[🇵🇰] Upstream oil and gas sector in 2024
- By ghazi
- Pakistan Economy
- 0 Replies
Upstream oil and gas sector in 2024
BR ResearchJanuary 29, 2024
The global upstream oil and gas sector ended 2023 on a weak note. Despite the geopolitical tensions and other factors like production cuts, oil prices remained lower during the year as compared to 2022 prices. And the outlook for 2024 has been somewhere near moderate growth.
The optimistic lot of the global market is eyeing moderate growth for the upstream oil a gas sector in 2024. This outlook comes despite the significant announcement in COP28 to move towards Net Zero as the proponents and producers of oil and gas sector believe that countries will continue to rely on oil and gas. This could be true as the demand for oil and gas is rising, which means that the supply will continue to propel to mee it. Deloitte in its outlook has highlighted that the oil and gas sector should prioritize low-carbon projects to navigate the changing demand landscape that will potentially be led by geopolitical uncertainty, global macro economy, policy and emergence of clean technologies.
The domestic oil and gas exploration and production sector has lost its shine over the years as it grapples with various challenges. The sector is marred with depleting reserves, declining production flows and smaller discoveries. While some of the slowdown in the sector is the natural decline in resources, the challenges that the sector faced in terms of policy inconsistency, policy redundancy and policy unattractiveness, circular debt accumulation along with security situation– and recently, the shortage of dollars - are factors that have aided the sector’s sluggishness. This can also be seen in flight of capital and foreign investment from the sector.
The sector’s profitability has mostly been driven by the path international oil prices have taken along with Rupee depreciation. As recent as FY23, the sector’s performance was marred with continued decline in oil and gas production despite higher oil prices. In 2024, the profitability of the upstream oil and gas sector is likely to soften due to lower hydrocarbon sales particularly that of natural gas. What hold positive for the sector are the expected energy sector reforms and the circular debt management plan. Also, the sector has witnessed eight new exploration licenses in the bid round towards the end of 2023, which will propel growth in the sector.
Upstream oil and gas sector in 2024
The global upstream oil and gas sector ended 2023 on a weak note. Despite the geopolitical tensions and other...
www.brecorder.com
[🇵🇰-Land] Pakistan, Bahrain hold joint exercise ‘Al-BADAR-VIII'
- By ghazi
- Pakistan Army
- 0 Replies
Pakistan, Bahrain hold joint exercise ‘Al-BADAR-VIII'
Contingents from Pakistan Army and Bahrain National Guards are participating in the two-week-long exercise, says ISPRNews Desk
January 29, 2024
Opening ceremony of two weeks long Joint Exercise Al-BADAR-VIII at National Counter Terrorism Centre, Pabbi
The opening ceremony of Pakistan-Bahrain “Joint Exercise Al-BADAR-VIII” was held at National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, the military said.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), contingents from Pakistan Army and Bahrain National Guards are participating in the two-week-long exercise.
“The exercise is aimed at nurturing of joint employment and interoperability besides, harnessing the historic military to military relations among the brotherly countries,” the military’s media wing added.
The ISPR said that the Director General Military Training was the chief guest at the opening ceremony.
It further said that both countries have displayed zeal and enthusiasm for benefiting from each other’s expertise.
Al-BADAR is an annual bilateral joint exercise in counter terrorism domain between Pakistan and Bahrain.
Earlier this month the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, conferred the Military Medal Order of Bahrain First Class upon Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir during his two-day official visit to the kingdom.
The honour was given in recognition of Gen Asim's efforts and contributions to the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations.
Pakistan, Bahrain hold joint exercise ‘Al-BADAR-VIII' | The Express Tribune
Contingents from Pakistan Army and Bahrain National Guards are participating in the two-week-long exercise, says ISPR
tribune.com.pk
South Asia China will continue to be a global power despite slowing growth and China always treats India as a subsidiary power and ignores India's concerns, says
- South Asian Affairs
- 0 Replies
China will continue to be a global power despite slowing growth and China always treats India as a subsidiary power and ignores India's concerns, says Vijay Gokhale
Jan. 29 2024
Vijay Gokhale, former Foreign Secretary of India, highlighted that China has always treated India as a subsidiary power, ignoring India’s concerns. He suggestedthat there were indicators in 1950 that should have raised awareness of these gaps, but they were overlooked.
Amidst the ongoing liquidation of China’s major real estate firm, China Evergrande Group, which marks a significantshift in the country’s economic strategy and raises concerns about its escalating debt burden, Vijay Gokhale, formerForeign Secretary, said the country will remain formidable. .
Gokhale, in an interview with CNBC-TV18, said China will remain a force to be reckoned with on the global stage —undeterred by Evergrande’s liquidation — even if its growth rate dips to as low as 2%.
Trading of Evergrande’s shares was halted in Hong Kong on Monday after a court ordered the property developer toundergo liquidation due to its failure to restructure a plan for repaying its debts to banks and bondholders.
Gokhale, while acknowledging the opaque nature of China’s economy, pointed out that the country is clearly movingaway from growth led by infrastructure.
Gokhale endorsed Nehru’s strategic vision of China as a crucial partner but admitted that India has not been clear aboutits objectives in dealing with the Communist government in China. This lack of clarity, along with conflicting foreignpolicies, has led to strained relations between the two nations since the 1950s.
He highlighted that China has always treated India as a subsidiary power, ignoring India’s concerns. Gokhale suggestedthat there were indicators in 1950 that should have raised awareness of these gaps, but they were overlooked.
According to Gokhale, the Taiwan Strait remains the most dangerous conflict point in the Indo-Pacific region today,involving both the US and China directly. He emphasized that any friction in the Taiwan Strait, such as a quarantine orblockade, would directly impact the Indian economy. He also noted India’s involvement in previous crises in the TaiwanStrait.
The Galwan clash marked a significant turning point in the India-China relationship, leading to a state of armedcoexistence. Gokhale advocated for dialogue and deterrence as the only way forward for India on China and called for adirect bilateral dialogue with China on the boundary dispute.
Despite the challenges, Gokhale does not foresee the collapse of China. He sees the current geopolitical tensions as anatural opportunity for China to assert its influence. He also highlighted the Indian Navy’s response to attacks in the RedSea as an example of India taking responsibility to maintain peace, contrasting it with China’s lack of efforts to maintainregional peace.
www.cnbctv18.com
Jan. 29 2024
Vijay Gokhale, former Foreign Secretary of India, highlighted that China has always treated India as a subsidiary power, ignoring India’s concerns. He suggestedthat there were indicators in 1950 that should have raised awareness of these gaps, but they were overlooked.
Amidst the ongoing liquidation of China’s major real estate firm, China Evergrande Group, which marks a significantshift in the country’s economic strategy and raises concerns about its escalating debt burden, Vijay Gokhale, formerForeign Secretary, said the country will remain formidable. .
Gokhale, in an interview with CNBC-TV18, said China will remain a force to be reckoned with on the global stage —undeterred by Evergrande’s liquidation — even if its growth rate dips to as low as 2%.
Trading of Evergrande’s shares was halted in Hong Kong on Monday after a court ordered the property developer toundergo liquidation due to its failure to restructure a plan for repaying its debts to banks and bondholders.
Gokhale, while acknowledging the opaque nature of China’s economy, pointed out that the country is clearly movingaway from growth led by infrastructure.
Gokhale endorsed Nehru’s strategic vision of China as a crucial partner but admitted that India has not been clear aboutits objectives in dealing with the Communist government in China. This lack of clarity, along with conflicting foreignpolicies, has led to strained relations between the two nations since the 1950s.
He highlighted that China has always treated India as a subsidiary power, ignoring India’s concerns. Gokhale suggestedthat there were indicators in 1950 that should have raised awareness of these gaps, but they were overlooked.
According to Gokhale, the Taiwan Strait remains the most dangerous conflict point in the Indo-Pacific region today,involving both the US and China directly. He emphasized that any friction in the Taiwan Strait, such as a quarantine orblockade, would directly impact the Indian economy. He also noted India’s involvement in previous crises in the TaiwanStrait.
The Galwan clash marked a significant turning point in the India-China relationship, leading to a state of armedcoexistence. Gokhale advocated for dialogue and deterrence as the only way forward for India on China and called for adirect bilateral dialogue with China on the boundary dispute.
Despite the challenges, Gokhale does not foresee the collapse of China. He sees the current geopolitical tensions as anatural opportunity for China to assert its influence. He also highlighted the Indian Navy’s response to attacks in the RedSea as an example of India taking responsibility to maintain peace, contrasting it with China’s lack of efforts to maintainregional peace.
China will continue to be a major economy, despite Evergrande’s liquidation, says Vijay Gokhale
Vijay Gokhale, former Foreign Secretary of India, highlighted that China has always treated India as a subsidiary power, ignoring India’s concerns. He suggested that there were indicators in 1950 that should have raised awareness of these gaps, but they were overlooked.
www.cnbctv18.com
[🇺🇸] A retired admiral says the US needs to start building boats fast because China's going to outpace the US Navy in no time
- American Defense Forum
- 0 Replies
A retired admiral says the US needs to start building boats fast because China's going to outpace the US Navy in no time
Kwan Wei Kevin TanJan 29, 2024, 1:02 PM GMT+8
"You don't have to be a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician to realize the number of Chinese ships is going to continue to outpace us," said retired US Navy Adm. James Stavridis.
- The US Navy needs more ships to match up to China, says retired US Navy Adm. James Stavridis.
- China has the world's largest navy, with over 355 vessels in its fleet.
- "We have a lot more experience, but quantity has a quality on its own," Stavridis said.
"You don't have to be a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician to realize the number of Chinese ships is going to continue to outpace us," Stavridis, a former NATO commander, said in a Sunday radio interview on "The Cats Roundtable."
In July, leaked US Navy intelligence said that China's shipbuilding capacity is 232 times greater than the US.
China has the world's largest navy, with over 355 vessels in its fleet, per a 2021 US Navy Institute report. The US has a smaller fleet of 296 ships, according to a 2021 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"We have a lot more experience, but quantity has a quality on its own," Stavridis told radio host John Catsimatidis. "We need to build more warships. We need to think about a US Navy that approaches 350 ships."
"We don't want to be the world's policemen, but we want to live in a safe neighborhood. And sometimes that means having very capable military forces," Stavridis said. "We need a bigger Navy to do that."
This isn't the first time Stavridis has weighed in on the US and China's naval capabilities, and how they stack up against each other. Stavridis said in an interview on "The Michael Medved Show" in December that China isn't ready to take on the US.
"Even though China is building a massive fleet, even though they're acting very aggressively, they're not ready yet to line up all that they need to take on the US Pacific Fleet," Stavridis said.
The former NATO supreme allied commander said the strength of US military alliances would blunt a Chinese offensive.
"If we ended up in a war with China, it wouldn't be just the US and China. We have treaty allies who are sworn to come and be a part of a military campaign like that," Stavridis said.
"That's Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand," he continued. "So that's a lot of firepower when you kind of put it all together."
Representatives for Stavridis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.
A retired admiral says the US needs to start building boats fast because China's going to outpace the US Navy in no time
"We have a lot more experience, but quantity has a quality on its own," said retired US Navy Adm. James Stavridis.
www.businessinsider.com
Middle East/Africa Iran launches three satellites into Space amid US concerns over ballistic missile threat
- Middle East & African Affairs
- 1 Replies
Iran launches three satellites into Space amid US concerns over ballistic missile threat
Iran has successfully launched three satellites into space using the Simorgh rocket from the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan province, despite objections from the United States.
By JON GAMBRELL
21:31, Sun, Jan 28, 2024 | UPDATED: 21:31, Sun, Jan 28, 2024
Ebrahim Rais (Image: Getty)
Iran has launched three satellites into space with the US claiming such a move increases the country’s ballistic missile threat.
State television showed the Simorgh rocket undergoing a night-time launch.
The footage revealed it took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran’s Semnan province.
The US has said Iran satellite launches defy a UN ban as it could give Tehran a ballistic missile capability.
Iran launches three satellites into Space amid US concerns
Iran has successfully launched three satellites into space using the Simorgh rocket from the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan province, despite objections from the United States.
www.express.co.uk
World China is watching US drama over arming Ukraine: Nato chief
- World Affairs
- 0 Replies
China is watching US drama over arming Ukraine: Nato chief
- ‘What matters is that Ukraine gets continued support, because we need to realise that this is closely watched in Beijing,’ Jens Stoltenberg said
- If Ukraine were abandoned by the US and its allies, China might be tempted to take military action to seize control of Taiwan, analysts warn
Published: 2:08am, 29 Jan, 2024
US military funding for Ukraine carries a key deterrent message for China, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg argued on Sunday at the start of a Washington visit aimed at lobbying Congress to continue funding the war against Russia.
After billions in US aid have been sent to Ukraine since the invasion nearly two years ago, many Republican lawmakers have grown reluctant to keep supporting Kyiv, saying it lacks a clear end game as the fighting against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces grinds on.
US President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve US$61 billion in new aid to Ukraine. But the talks have bogged down as Republican lawmakers – furious over record illegal flows over the US border with Mexico – demand major changes in US immigration and border control policy in exchange for approving more money for Ukraine.
Stoltenberg plans to make the case in Washington this week for continued aid to Ukraine.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: AFP
“What matters is that Ukraine gets continued support, because we need to realise that this is closely watched in Beijing,” Stoltenberg said on Fox News.
Analysts say Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary, is watching to see if once-strong Western support for Ukraine is now petering out.
If Ukraine were abandoned by the US and its allies, mainland China might be tempted to take military action to seize control of Taiwan, these analysts warn.
“So it’s not only making Europe more vulnerable, but all of us, also the United States, more vulnerable, if Putin gets what he wants in Ukraine,” Stoltenberg added.
He said the agreement being negotiated in the US Congress is “a good deal”. US aid to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said, has been just a fraction of the Pentagon budget, and yet “we have been able to destroy and degrade the Russian army substantially”.
US aid to Ukraine also helps American workers, because the money is used to buy weapons made in the United States, the Nato secretary general said.
Stoltenberg is expected to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Monday.
On Tuesday he is expected to meet Republican and Democratic lawmakers involved in the Ukraine aid debate.
Former US president Donald Trump, the almost certain Republican candidate in the November presidential election, and who has often spoken fondly of Putin, is urging Republican lawmakers to reject the immigration accord being negotiated in Congress – which would also torpedo aid for Ukraine.
China is watching US drama over arming Ukraine: Nato chief
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg begins Washington visit aimed at lobbying Congress to continue funding the war against Russia.
www.scmp.com
[🇵🇰] World Bank closes $200m locust project
- By ghazi
- Pakistan Economy
- 0 Replies
World Bank closes $200m locust project
Amin AhmedJanuary 22, 2024
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has closed its locust emergency and food security (Leaf) project, for which it had approved $200 million, citing the performance of the project as highly unsatisfactory.
The project was approved in July 2020 and it was meant to control the locust outbreak, restore livelihoods in locust-affected areas, and strengthen national food security and monitoring in the country.
Informed sources believe the World Bank withdrew the project due to irregular appointments made under the project.
The Ministry of National Food Security, which was to implement the project, had appointed 86 entomologists in the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) for the locust and invasive pests control and management project in March 2023.
The implementation report of the project prepared by the World Bank says the project activities had not commenced and no disbursement had been made.
Since the project has been closed, the ministry terminated services of 86 entomologists hired for the Leaf project in the Department of Plant Protection in Karachi.
The terminated employees have appealed to the ministry against the abrupt termination of their services and payment of outstanding salaries of nearly seven months.
The employees said they continued their services in DPP from July 2023 to January 15, 2024, and were assigned duties and tasks. They said neither the plant protection adviser nor DPP director-general or the secretary of the ministry issued any directives, either verbally or in writing, to discontinue their services.
However, on Jan 17, 2024, the employees were abruptly informed verbally that their services will no longer be required in the project.
They said the DPP did not provide the mandatory one-month notice to them for termination of services and no valid reason was also provided for the sudden move.
They urged the government to adhere to the Supreme Court’s verdict and protect interests of contract employees.
Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2024
World Bank closes $200m locust project
Project was meant to control the locust outbreak, restore livelihoods in affected areas, and strengthen national food security.
www.dawn.com
World Texas Lt. Governor Responds to Question About Possible 'Civil War'
- World Affairs
- 0 Replies
Texas Lt. Governor Responds to Question About Possible 'Civil War'
Jan 28, 2024 at 1:13 PM EST
Amid tensions over the use of razor wire on the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, the state's Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick responded to a question about a possible "civil war" during an interview on Sunday.
Tension between federal and state units in Texas remains after President Joe Biden's administration secured a significant win over Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to allow the temporary removal of razor wire along the southern border while litigation over the issue proceeds. The Court's decision has sparked anger among Republicans who support the measures taken by Abbott and his administration to fight illegal immigration in the state. Tensions over the measures escalated as the federal government raised environmental and humanitarian concerns about the deterrent.
Meanwhile, Abbott and his administration have held firm on their stance to continue the razor wire policy as the Republican governor claims that Texas has a constitutional right to self-defense and his state was "acting on that authority, as well as state law, to secure the Texas border" by using the razor wire.
In an interview on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo, Patrick said that Texas does not want a confrontation with the Biden administration. However, when asked by Bartiromo whether this situation will "turn into a civil war," Patrick responded by reiterating that Texas has a constitutional right.
"We believe constitutionally we are right, we have a right to defend our citizens, we have a right to defend this country and we are just doing our job. These young women and men who serve our National Guard and our DPS these are the best of the best why would he want to send anyone down to confront them," he said.
Newsweek has reached out to Patrick's office and the White House via email for comment.
Patrick's comments come after some Democrats, including Texas Representative Joaquin Castro and former Representative Beto O'Rourke have urged Biden to federalize Texas' National Guard to stop Abbott from defying the Court's ruling.
Patrick previously responded to this possibility by stating it would be a mistake.
"The biggest mistake the Biden administration could make would be confronting law enforcement or our military, our National Guard at our border, at this park, when we are actually doing the job that the American people want," Patrick told Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Friday.
Concerns over a confrontation came after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asked Texas to stop preventing federal Border Patrol agents access to Eagle Pass' Shelby Park. A letter from the DHS to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last week demanded full access to the park by Friday, however, Paxton rejected the request.
Biden has signaled that he's open to "massive changes" on border policy, asking Congress to embrace a bipartisan Senate deal that would pair border enforcement measures with aid to Ukraine to help in its ongoing war with Russia. In addition, he stated on Saturday at a political event in South Carolina that he would be willing to close the U.S.-Mexico border if lawmakers would only send him a bill to sign.
Additionally, this is not the first time concerns over a possible civil war regarding the handling of the southern border have been mentioned as some have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to raise the question.
Internet personality Terrence Williams told his 1.7 million followers: "CIVIL WAR IS COMING SOON."
"You are trying to start a civil war," Williams told the president in a video posted online. "You got everybody in the state of Texas all bent up."
Conservative commentator Carmine Sabia agreed, writing on X, "Joe Biden is about to start a Civil War over his treasonous handling of the border."
YouTube streamer Tim Pool said on a stream that it "looks like a Fort Sumter-esque type scenario," referencing the first battle of the Civil War.
www.newsweek.com
Jan 28, 2024 at 1:13 PM EST
Amid tensions over the use of razor wire on the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, the state's Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick responded to a question about a possible "civil war" during an interview on Sunday.
Tension between federal and state units in Texas remains after President Joe Biden's administration secured a significant win over Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to allow the temporary removal of razor wire along the southern border while litigation over the issue proceeds. The Court's decision has sparked anger among Republicans who support the measures taken by Abbott and his administration to fight illegal immigration in the state. Tensions over the measures escalated as the federal government raised environmental and humanitarian concerns about the deterrent.
Meanwhile, Abbott and his administration have held firm on their stance to continue the razor wire policy as the Republican governor claims that Texas has a constitutional right to self-defense and his state was "acting on that authority, as well as state law, to secure the Texas border" by using the razor wire.
In an interview on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo, Patrick said that Texas does not want a confrontation with the Biden administration. However, when asked by Bartiromo whether this situation will "turn into a civil war," Patrick responded by reiterating that Texas has a constitutional right.
"We believe constitutionally we are right, we have a right to defend our citizens, we have a right to defend this country and we are just doing our job. These young women and men who serve our National Guard and our DPS these are the best of the best why would he want to send anyone down to confront them," he said.
Newsweek has reached out to Patrick's office and the White House via email for comment.
Patrick's comments come after some Democrats, including Texas Representative Joaquin Castro and former Representative Beto O'Rourke have urged Biden to federalize Texas' National Guard to stop Abbott from defying the Court's ruling.
Patrick previously responded to this possibility by stating it would be a mistake.
"The biggest mistake the Biden administration could make would be confronting law enforcement or our military, our National Guard at our border, at this park, when we are actually doing the job that the American people want," Patrick told Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Friday.
Concerns over a confrontation came after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asked Texas to stop preventing federal Border Patrol agents access to Eagle Pass' Shelby Park. A letter from the DHS to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last week demanded full access to the park by Friday, however, Paxton rejected the request.
Biden has signaled that he's open to "massive changes" on border policy, asking Congress to embrace a bipartisan Senate deal that would pair border enforcement measures with aid to Ukraine to help in its ongoing war with Russia. In addition, he stated on Saturday at a political event in South Carolina that he would be willing to close the U.S.-Mexico border if lawmakers would only send him a bill to sign.
Additionally, this is not the first time concerns over a possible civil war regarding the handling of the southern border have been mentioned as some have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to raise the question.
Internet personality Terrence Williams told his 1.7 million followers: "CIVIL WAR IS COMING SOON."
"You are trying to start a civil war," Williams told the president in a video posted online. "You got everybody in the state of Texas all bent up."
Conservative commentator Carmine Sabia agreed, writing on X, "Joe Biden is about to start a Civil War over his treasonous handling of the border."
YouTube streamer Tim Pool said on a stream that it "looks like a Fort Sumter-esque type scenario," referencing the first battle of the Civil War.
Texas lt. governor responds to question about possible "civil war"
Dan Patrick responded to a question about a possible "civil war" over the use of razor wire at southern border.
www.newsweek.com
