Commentary

Freshly returned from a trip to China, three local execs share impressions on the current state of U.S. relations there — and what that country's recent downturn means for Chicago's economy.

The U.S. and Israel have what has historically been called a “special relationship,” and the U.S. has given more money to Israel than any other country since 1946.

"President Biden simply cannot provide new aid for Ukraine and Israel unless Congress provides that money through appropriations legislations," Jordan Tama explains.

The U.S. is among the top donors to a United Nations agency that runs Palestinian refugee camps.  

Yasmeen Abutaleb, Stefan Kornelius, and Peter Spiegel join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

"MAGA Republicans are playing into the perception that foreign crises are soaking up scarce dollars that could be used at home," Paul Poast writes.

"Fury on the Arab streets has now made the prospect of escalation more likely," writes Ivo Daalder.

"A military solution alone will, at best, postpone the next outbreak of violence," says Elizabeth Shackelford.

But public opinion has likely shifted following Hamas' attacks on Israel.

A June congressional report revealed the two companies are taking advantage of a U.S. shipping provision that allows them to avoid paying tariffs on orders and to “circumvent” a U.S. law that aims to protect Uyghurs in China from being forced to produce cotton products.