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Poll: Americans split by party on whether Ukraine weapons aid ‘worth it’

Overall, majority still support arms to oust Russia

Reporting | QiOSK

A new Chicago Council on Global Affairs poll finds that 63% of Americans support continued aid to Ukraine in its war against the Russian invasion, while 53% overall say it’s been “worth the cost.” Some 45% say it has not been worth the cost.

The new numbers represent a slight dip — 65% supported aid in November last year (down from 72% in July 2022). The biggest decline is coming from Republicans — no surprise there. According to the poll, 50% of Americans who identify as Republican support continued arms aid to Ukraine, a drop of 18 points since July last year, and a full 30 points from the beginning of the war in February 2022.

Meanwhile, Democratic support has remained steady at 77%, down just two points from July 2022.

On the issue of whether the support is “worth the cost,” the numbers are partisan mirror opposites. For Republicans, 38% say U.S. weapons support has been worth it, while 61% say no. For Democrats, 69% say yes, 29% say no.

Interestingly, strong majorities still say NATO (and consequently, U.S. troops) should get directly involved if a NATO country is attacked. According to the poll, roughly 64% say they would favor sending U.S. troops to fight if Russia attacked a NATO ally like Germany; while 57% said they would support the same if Russia attacked allies like Latvia or Lithuania.

As an alliance, by the way, NATO still enjoys a healthy support from both parties, with 77% saying the U.S. should maintain its support and commitment, only down from 81% last July.

Ukraine, Kiev - October 12, 2022 3 soldiers of the foreign legion in Ukraine pay homage to one of their killed in action. A small flag with the name of the dead soldier is planted in the main square. (Jose Hernandez Camera 51/Shutterstock)
Ukraine, Kiev - October 12, 2022 3 soldiers of the foreign legion in Ukraine pay homage to one of their killed in action. A small flag with the name of the dead soldier is planted in the main square. (Jose Hernandez Camera 51/Shutterstock)
Reporting | QiOSK
What's next for Maduro after US sanctions deal

Maria Corina Machado Political Rally in Maracaibo, Venezuela Maracaibo, Venezuela: The most prominent pre-candidate to win the opposition primary elections, Maria Corina Machado made a brilliant tour through three eastern states: Anzoategui in the city of Barcelona, Sucre in the town of Cumana and Nueva Esparta in the Los Oaks of the Maneiro municipality. On this tour of Maria Corina through the three eastern states, she was received by a large crowd of her followers who packed each concentration site. This corroborates what various survey and measurement firms have pointed out, which seems to indicate that next October 22. Machado will establish herself as the main leader of the opposition, willing to challenge the ambitions of t Copyright: xHumbertoxMatheusxxEyepixxGroupx via Reuters

What's next for Maduro after US sanctions deal

Latin America

It’s been a tumultuous two weeks in Venezuela.

First, the Biden administration and the Maduro government signed a deal exchanging democratic guarantees for sanctions relief on oil, natural gas, and gold mining — some of Venezuela’s largest industries. With the sanctions lifted, Maduro allowed the opposition’s primary election to go ahead.

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The US knows the War on Terror is a big fat failure in Africa
A U.S. Army Special Forces weapons sergeant observes a Niger Army soldier during marksmanship training as part of Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, Feb. 28, 2017. Niger was one of seven locations to host tactical-level training during the exercise while staff officers tested their planning abilities at a simulated multinational headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Klutts/released)

The US knows the War on Terror is a big fat failure in Africa

Africa

America’s Global War on Terror has seen its share of stalemates, disasters, and outright defeats. During 20-plus years of armed interventions, the United States has watched its efforts implode in spectacular fashion, from Iraq in 2014 to Afghanistan in 2021. The greatest failure of its “Forever Wars,” however, may not be in the Middle East, but in Africa.

“Our war on terror begins with al-Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated,” President George W. Bush told the American people in the immediate wake of the 9/11 attacks, noting specifically that such militants had designs on “vast regions” of Africa.

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Israel-Hamas deal: Talking vs. bombing, works

A woman holds a sign as the families and supporters of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas gather to raise awareness and demand their immediate release in Tel Aviv, Israel November 22, 2023. REUTERS/Shir Torem

Israel-Hamas deal: Talking vs. bombing, works

QiOSK

The agreement reached today between Israel and Hamas — and brokered by Qatar and Egypt — is an important first step that will hopefully give all sides an opportunity to step back from the precipice of a larger regional conflagration, and to consider options for ending this war other than by the military destruction of one another.

The return of the hostages to Israel in exchange for the return of Palestinian prisoners is welcome news and hopefully will proceed through subsequent cycles until all the hostages have been returned. The exchange proves that solutions can only be found through diplomacy through the help of actors in the region who can talk to all sides, in this case, Qatar and Egypt.

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Israel-Gaza Crisis

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