Gen. Jack Keane on Gaza Deal, Middle East Stability, and Drone Warfare

Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

• 🎯 Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are meeting in Egypt, with General Keane describing the situation as "pretty much now or never."
• 💡 Keane believes parties recognize the urgency, making necessary compromises more likely to achieve a deal.
• 🔑 Hamas is willing to release hostages but claims lack of complete control over all captives, potentially using this as a delaying tactic.
• ⚠️ Hamas also pushes back on disarming, wanting to retain weapons to maintain power, which is a crucial sticking point.
• ✅ Despite challenges, Keane views the current situation as the most positive he's seen, with a deal potentially imminent in the next few days.

US Troop Withdrawal from Iraq and Syria

• 📉 General Keane advises against pulling US troops from Iraq and Syria, citing their modest numbers and critical roles.
• 🛡️ Troops are essential to prevent ISIS from re-emerging and to reduce Iran's influence in the region.
• 🚫 Keane argues that maintaining presence is about preventing instability, not contributing to "forever wars."

European Drone Defense and NATO

• ✈️ Mysterious drones over Europe, suspected to be from Russia, are prompting European nations to consider a "drone wall".
• 💥 American companies have developed systems like the AS3, capable of shooting down Iranian-made drones used by Russia.
• 🤝 Keane emphasizes that NATO and the United States must collaborate to provide Europe with the necessary drone-killing capabilities.
• 🚀 While not yet fully implemented, the intent is to develop defenses to prevent drones from penetrating sovereign airspace, moving in the right direction.