By The embassy’s notice recommends that Americans in Lebanon secure any available flights, even if they do not align perfectly with their preferred travel routes.
In a video posted on July 29, Rena Bitter, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, emphasized the need for U.S. citizens to develop a crisis plan and leave before any crisis escalates. This directive highlights the precarious situation in Lebanon, where the potential for further conflict remains high.
A reminder to U.S. citizens in Lebanon to enroll in STEP and other preparedness recommendations to keep you and your loved ones safe. A message from Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter.@TravelGov pic.twitter.com/OZNugd0bCc
— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) July 29, 2024
The warning comes as tensions are growing more heated in the Middle East as Joe Biden has disappeared from the presidency over the last month. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has appeared to take command of the United States military, ordering more military assets to the region.
The Washington Post reported that “Austin ordered the deployment of additional Navy destroyers and cruisers, both with offensive and defensive ballistic missile capabilities, as the Pentagon also takes steps to beef up land-based missile defense, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said in a statement Friday evening. An additional squadron of fighter jets also will be deployed to the Middle East to reinforce defensive air support, she said.
The statement did not identify which vessels and units will be involved, but says they will be added to the ‘broad range of capabilities the U.S. military maintains in the region.’
Austin also has ordered the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, and its associated escort ships to ensure that an aircraft carrier remains in the region, Singh said. Another carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, was in the Gulf of Oman on Friday and accompanied by several other warships after they recently moved out of the Persian Gulf, a U.S. official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The shift leaves open the possibility that they will move to Israel if they sail west around Yemen toward the Red Sea.”
The American media has been much more concerned about Donald Trump talking about Kamala Harris’ ethnicity than the outbreak of war and the president going missing.
The last time the president and vice president were seen in public speaking with reporters was when they greeted the return of prisoners from Russia. Biden let Kamala Harris do a rambling 30-second interview in his place.
THIS is what happens when you let Kamala Harris go off script:
“This is just an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy and understands the strength that rests in understanding the significance of diplomacy”
Wtf? pic.twitter.com/FXarf1wIo9
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 2, 2024
He then proceeded to walk into the plane that carried the hostages home, perhaps confusing it with Air Force One.
Then he walked off confused and onto the jet that was transporting the prisoners.🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/KDQqYvcG0b
— AmeriFirst (@AmeriF1rst) August 2, 2024
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