Rational Security: Gaza Conflict, AI Chip Deals, and Military Action Against Cartels

Gaza Conflict and Israeli Strategy

• 🎯 The Israeli government, under Netanyahu, plans to occupy Gaza City and displace civilians, sparking international outrage.
• ⚠️ Netanyahu disavowed annexation intent but outlined an Israeli end goal of a non-Hamas, non-PA governing entity under Israeli security control.
• 📉 Ben Wittes criticizes the Israeli policy as indefensible, citing forced migration, starvation, and a grotesque indifference to Palestinian life.
• ⚔️ Dan Byman suggests a tactical rationale for occupying Gaza City: to prevent Hamas resurgence and gather intelligence, though acknowledging the lack of a long-term plan.
• 🗳️ Netanyahu's political calculus is seen as driven by upcoming elections, with recent statements aimed at placating international pressure rather than a fundamental policy shift.

US Policy on AI Chips and China

• 🤝 The Trump administration struck a deal allowing NVIDIA and AMD to export certain high-end chips to China, requiring a 15% profit share with the US government.
• ⚖️ This move raises legal concerns and worries about major power competition, with both Democrats and Republicans expressing concern.
• 💰 Kate Klonick describes the arrangement as historic and outside the box, potentially a payment system for national security concerns related to Taiwan and China.
• ❓ The legal viability of the profit-sharing deal is questioned, particularly concerning the Constitution's export clause and the executive branch accepting such payments.

Military Action Against Drug Cartels

• 📜 President Trump reportedly signed a secret order authorizing military force against designated terrorist drug cartels.
• 🚨 This represents a dramatic shift in US national security policy, signaling a tougher stance on cartels.
• 📈 Potential actions include special operations raids, intelligence cooperation, precision strikes, and maritime interdictions.
• 🇲🇽 Cooperation with Mexico is crucial but complicated by historical sensitivities and the need for Mexican legitimacy and intelligence.
• ⚖️ Legal experts question the conflation of cartel designations with military action authority, noting that such designations primarily impact material support and economic sanctions, not direct military engagement.

Object Lessons

• 🎲 Dan Byman recommends the board game Imperial Struggle for its historical and strategic depth.
• 🇺🇦 Ben Wittes plans to protest the US-Russia summit in Alaska by creating a large Ukrainian flag on the sidewalk outside the Russian embassy using chalk and hairspray.
• 🍕 Scott R. Anderson apologizes for previously dismissing Deb Perelman's Pizza Beans recipe, now highly recommending it for its deliciousness.
• 🍎 Kate Klonick is preparing for the weekend with large quantities of blueberries, peaches, tomatoes, and cucumbers.