• Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Yeah, I too would much rather get pneumonia than stage 4 leukemia. Would have been swell to get neither, though…

    • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Not if Blinken continues to provide inconclusive reports. POTUS makes international diplomacy decisions based on intelligence provided by the State Department. It’s not based the President’s opinion, US citizens, news, the UN, the ICC, or the ICJ, but state intelligence. Biden needs to put pressure on Blinken to provide a thorough and conclusive report, or replace him with someone who will.

      • DancingBear@midwest.social
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        7 months ago

        I’m fairly certain the fact that Biden has received more Israeli political donations than any other United States politician in history has more influence of potus than the state department

      • homura1650@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        Blinken is releasing the reports thr president wants released. The actual intelligence is provided in classified reports provided to the president and some members of Congress. What gets made public is a policy decision that flows down from the top.

        • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          That does not change if the report is conclusive or inconclusive, nor does it change the content within. It only limits what can and cannot be shared with the public.

          • Ajen@sh.itjust.works
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            7 months ago

            The evidence that makes the difference between conclusive and inconclusive could easily be classified. In which case it wouldn’t be shared with the public.

            • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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              7 months ago

              That’s not how classified documents work. It would still be a conclusive report. He would be able to act on the information, and only disclose what he is capable of disclosing. The report was found to be inconclusive, meaning there was no proof of crimes committed by Israel found by the State Department.

              If POTUS was not allowed to act on classified information, there would be no point in having a State Department at all.

      • Ajen@sh.itjust.works
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        7 months ago

        State Dept intelligence might influence POTUS’ decisions, but it isn’t the only factor.

        • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          It isn’t. It’s just the most heavily weighed piece of intelligence in the Executive Branch. The Legislative Branch is the other factor, and Congress voted in favor of legislation for munitions supply.

            • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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              7 months ago

              Yes, it is. That’s how POTUS decides how to proceed in international affairs. It’s not just some shot from the hip.

              News outlets and citizens can talk all day, but we pay tens of trillions annually to have the most informed State Department in the world. It’s the President’s job to trust their intelligence. If the State Department says there is no proof of war crimes, it’s POTUS’s job to take that as fact. If he doesn’t agree with the findings, he can mandate a re-assessment, as I initially suggested that he should.

              • Ajen@sh.itjust.works
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                7 months ago

                Yes, it is. That’s how POTUS decides how to proceed in international affairs. It’s not just some shot from the hip.

                Are you saying all US presidents react to intelligence reports in the same way? That’s ridiculous. When candidates are campaigning for the office of POTUS they normally publicize the international policy that they intend to enforce. And each candidate has a unique view on international politics, even within the same party.

                You don’t honestly believe both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump would act the same as Joe Biden in response to Blinkens’ intelligence reports, do you?

                • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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                  7 months ago

                  I’m saying that amending existing bills and contracts for allied support, against congressional approval and without substantiated cause from US intelligence would be considered an act of bad faith, yes. I’m honestly not even sure the last time that was done by a President.

            • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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              7 months ago

              That’s true. He did that prior to pausing shipments pending the State Department investigation. Chronology is important.