US House passes $1.1T defense bill with US-Israel tech cooperation provision

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $1.15 trillion defense bill that retains a contested provision enhancing military technology collaboration between the U.S. and Israel. Despite bipartisan objections led by Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, the initiative remains part of the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation is significant amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war and calls for covering the conflict’s expenses. The provision is designed to establish a permanent U.S.-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, focusing on joint research, testing, and development in key areas like cyber and missile defense without merging the two nations’ military commands. Market reactions suggest that the inclusion of this provision may heighten regional tensions, particularly concerning potential Houthi military action against Israel. The Pentagon’s role in overseeing this initiative underscores the high level of intended integration between U.S. and Israeli defense sectors. The House’s decision not to allow a separate vote on the provision has highlighted its contentious nature, with implications for U.S. foreign policy dynamics in the Middle East. Key...