Bill and Joe catch up on a few important headlines related to Israel’s defensive war in Gaza, including U.S. claims that a senior leader of Hamas has been killed while Israel and Hamas have both remained mum; the Rafah operation hold-up; the ramifications of abstaining from the UN Security Council vote on a ceasefire and other recent actions by the U.S. that ultimately help Hamas.

The post Generation Jihad Ep. 153 — Why is the U.S. helping Hamas? first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

The CFPB offers health, vision, and dental benefits to employees and their qualified dependents.

The CFPB's internal reviews have found some discrepancies in enrollments and eligibility for dental and vision benefits, such as delayed removal of dependents who exceed age eligibility requirements. The agency has updated its policies and procedures to address the causes of these issues but can further improve controls through regular monitoring and reviews and by updating related procedures and training.

This report includes recommendations.

The CFPB uses a videoconferencing platform that enables real-time collaboration to connect employees and virtual teams.

Selected security controls tested for the videoconferencing platform are operating effectively. For example, the CFPB ensured that privileged accounts are provisioned, managed, and reviewed in accordance with the principles of least privilege and separation of duties. In addition, the CFPB performs quarterly security control assessments of the videoconferencing platform. Our report includes one item for management's consideration related to monitoring the videoconferencing platform's chat communications.

Given the sensitivity of this information, our full report is restricted.

The battle was generally favorable for Ukraine, as it destroyed a lot of Russian combat power. But Ukraine waited too long to withdraw and failed to prepare a solid second line of defense.

The post Battle of Avdiivka: A Preliminary Analysis first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

Agencies extend applicability date of certain provisions of their Community Reinvestment Act final rule

Flying solo for this episode, Bill shares his thoughts on yesterday's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing with Generals Milley and McKenzie — including the questions they *should* have asked (but failed to).

The post Generation Jihad Ep. 152 — About that Afghanistan hearing yesterday… first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee release economic projections from the March 19-20 FOMC meeting

The Israel Defense Forces announced the creation of a new 'mountain' brigade that will focus on defending Israel’s Mount Dov and Mount Hermon on its northern border with Lebanon. The new unit is part of a reorganization in the IDF focused on bolstering defenses in the north amidst ongoing Hezbollah and other threats.

The post Israel bulks northern defense with new mountain brigade amid ongoing Hezbollah threat first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

Israel responded to daily attacks by Hezbollah by targeting the group's infrastructure using warplanes and artillery. Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi said that Israel has damaged Hezbollah capabilities and that the Iranian-backed terrorist organization is paying a heavy price.

The post Israel warns Hezbollah as attacks continue in north first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

The White House confirmed on Monday that Israel successfully targeted and eliminated senior Hamas figure Marwan Issa.

The post U.S. official confirms Israeli forces killed senior Hamas military leader Marwan Issa first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

Whatever disputes the Pakistani state has with the Taliban, it is unlikely that its strategic depth with respect to India and strategic relations with the Taliban will be discarded for the lives of hundreds of Pakistani citizens.

The post Pakistani military, Afghan Taliban exchange fire along the border first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

The first maritime shipment of aid was offloaded from a barge to trucks in Gaza on March 15, part of a wider effort to bring more humanitarian aid into Gaza in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces.

The post First maritime humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

Bill and Behnam catch up on recent headlines, including the statement made by a U.S. senator pushing for regime change (spoiler: he was not talking about Iran), reports of a high-level meeting between Iranian and Hezbollah officials, the Houthis continuing their maritime attacks, and more.

The post Generation Jihad Ep. 151 — They don’t pass out candy in war, but they do air-drop meals first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to two and a half years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for devising a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $550,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan applications that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Argus Information & Advisory Services Inc. (Argus) has agreed to pay the United States $37 million to resolve claims under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), in connection with its access to and use of credit card data obtained pursuant to contracts with various federal regulators, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action against JPMorgan Chase & Co. and fines the firm approximately $98.2 million for an inadequate program to monitor firm and client trading activities for market misconduct

Agencies take temporary action on appraisal requirements in area affected by Hawaii wildfires

Shabaab continues to undo progress made against it in central Somalia; the United States continues to go after its financials and conducting periodic drone strikes against its forces.

The post Shabaab retakes territory as the U.S. sanctions one of its money laundering networks first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.

Israel targeted senior Hamas leaders, including Marwan Issa, the deputy of Mohammad Deif, in an airstrike overnight between March 10 and 11. Hamas continues to operate from the area of Nuseirat and other areas in the “central camps” area of Gaza, where the strike took place. Israel is still assessing the results of the strike, the IDF said on March 11.

The post IDF targets Hamas leaders in Gaza first appeared on FDD's Long War Journal.