Topic: Himars

Ex-CIA analyst Brian Dean Wright reports that the U.S. has authorized $113 billion in total aid for Ukraine. Despite White House denials, evidence suggests the U.S. provides critical intelligence for targeting Russian assets, including the Moskva warship and various Russian generals, while Ukraine denies direct involvement in recent drone attacks on Moscow.

Anne Applebaum notes that while the U.S. has provided HIMARS and other advanced weaponry, Washington remains nervous about a total Ukrainian victory that would include retaking Crimea. The hosts argue that the U.S. is intentionally staying "three or four beats behind" the situation on the ground to avoid escalation. They debate whether the ultimate goal is a negotiated settlement or "boots on the ground" intervention.

Predictions suggest the war in Ukraine could last at least five more years as Vladimir Putin bets on Western fatigue. Meanwhile, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin report record profits and production goals driven by the success of systems like HIMARS on the battlefield.

Ukrainian officials confirmed to ABC News that the U.S. provides specific coordinates for the majority of strikes conducted with HIMARS rocket launchers. This reveals a deeper level of operational involvement by the U.S. military than previously acknowledged. Meanwhile, Russia continues to launch waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Ukraine's power grid.

The US announced a $2.2 billion aid package for Ukraine including long-range rockets for HIMARS launchers. Meanwhile, former UK Defense Minister Sir Gerald Howarth suggested that NATO must consider putting "boots on the ground" to prevent a stalemate. Russian missile strikes continue to target civilian infrastructure in eastern cities like Kramatorsk.

Australia is investing $700 million to acquire the U.S.-made HIMARS missile system to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. Simultaneously, the Biden administration is reopening the U.S. Embassy in the Solomon Islands, which has been closed since 1993. The move follows a security pact signed between the Solomon Islands and China last year, prompting increased U.S. diplomatic engagement in the region.

The White House announced a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine to bolster its defense against the Russian invasion. The package includes additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and various military vehicles. This announcement follows intensified Russian strikes on the Kiev and Zaporizhia regions.

President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Ukraine during a phone call with President Zelensky, pledging an additional $625 million in military aid. This package includes four more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) intended to help Ukrainian troops strike deep into occupied territories. Reports indicate Ukrainian forces are advancing in the Herson and Donbass regions.

Ukrainian forces reclaimed significant territory in the Kharkiv region following a highly planned counteroffensive. Reports indicate that U.S. and Ukrainian military officials conducted "war games" over the summer to determine the most effective strategy for the push.

In Russia, a new chain called "Stars Coffee" has taken over former Starbucks locations, using a nearly identical logo and branding. Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced a new $775 million military aid package for Ukraine, including HIMARS ammunition and ScanEagle drones, as tensions rise near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink provided an assessment of the conflict, noting that Russia has made no significant inroads since the beginning of July. The influx of HIMARS rocket systems is credited with shifting the momentum in favor of Ukrainian forces. Critics point out the absurdity of claiming a lack of progress over a period of only a few days.