MONDAY PDB – Are Americans ready for war? As our enemies advance, one author considers what it would take for the U.S. to avoid defeat. Mark Helprin's latest novel, “The Oceans and the Stars,” provides a sobering answer.
In his book – war is coming. Iran and its proxies, having started one war in Israel, don't appear reluctant to consider another with the U.S.
A Russian victory in Ukraine, even a partial one, would make eventual confrontation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization almost inevitable. China menaces Taiwan.
And the possibility that Kim Jong Un isn't plotting an attack on South Korea—or on the U.S.—is a bet only a fool would take.
Very little about today's cultural landscape suggests that America's political class and citizenry understand the threats or are prepared to counter them with force. What's going to get us ready?Â
“A strong leader on a white horse isn't going to do it,” Mr. Helprin says.
“The only way that can happen, I think, unfortunately, is distress and defeat. A depression, a big loss in a war, invasion, Gotterdammerung.”
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here's a roundup of today's other top defense stories from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President's Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL'S DAILY BRIEFING – the PDB:
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Pentagon is lying about UFOs. Congress held a historic hearing on UFOs last July. The hearing, which featured testimony from two former Navy fighter pilots and a former senior intelligence officer, garnered a notable amount of attention on Capitol Hill.
DON'T LET PENTAGON DO IT – Existential threat: Air Guardsmen slam proposal to move their units to Space Force. Air National Guard leaders said many of those personnel would rather retire or retrain into another job instead.
US POWER OVERSEAS
US troops return to strategic islands near Taiwan for air-assault practice. U.S., Philippine, and Australian troops are practicing raids on wind-swept islands south of Taiwan — the sort of mission they may need to execute if conflict breaks out there or nearby in South China Sea.
TO FACE CHINA – US, Australia, Japan pledge to hold F-35 exercises in all three nations. They agreed to increase the frequency and complexity of trilateral exercises, including F-35 training in all three countries.
US troop levels in Pacific take center stage as defense secretary huddles with allied defense leaders. Pentagon officials said that the U.S. not only needs to grow its ties in the region but also bolster the number of troops there to deter China.
Adm. Sam Paparo takes charge of Indo-Pacific Command as China extends influence in the region. He took over for Adm. John Aquilino.
The US military may have a new leg up on China in the Pacific. Autonomous cargo delivery systems could offer rapid resupply for US military overseas as tensions escalate in the Pacific.
Army engineers quietly upgrade bunkers to protect soldiers from TBIs. U.S. military bunkers across the Middle East are getting new doors and added protection as recent events draw attention to indirect blast-related injuries.
ANOTHER BIDEN LOSS IN AFRICA – Oil-rich Chad's junta leader set to win May 6 vote as US ties fray. This, cementing the ruling junta's power in a move that could jeopardize the future of U.S. military engagement in the region.
ISRAEL'S WAR AGAINST TERRORISTS
Biden meets Jordan's King Abdullah as Gaza ceasefire hopes dim. Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and Israeli officials are blaming each other for the impasse.
Israel has briefed US on plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of potential Rafah operation.
OUTRAGEOUS – Team Biden put a hold on an ammunition shipment to Israel.
CHINA THREAT
With Chinese warships anchoring in Cambodia, the US needs to respond. Cambodia's Ream Naval Base is China's first overseas naval post in the Indo-Pacific region and only its second overall. These latest deployments signal how China plans to leverage its expanding global military footprint to thwart U.S. forces from intervening in a Taiwan crisis.
Countering China's Red Dragon over the South China Sea. The US should strengthen its partnerships with countries to combat China's aggression.
NOT WORTH THE PAPER IT'S NOT WRITTEN ON – China publicizes for the first time what it claims is a 2016 unwritten agreement with Philippines over access to South China Sea islands.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
G-7 eyes plan on US-led $50 billion aid package for Ukraine. The massive outlay would be repaid with the windfall profits from sovereign Russian assets that have been frozen — and are accruing interest — mostly in Europe.
Ukraine marks its third Easter at war as it comes under fire from Russian drones and troops. Russia on Sunday launched a barrage of drones concentrated in Ukraine's east and claimed its troops took control of a village they had been targeting.
BIDEN SHOULD DO THE SAME – UK lifts restrictions on Ukraine's use of weapons against Russia. The remarks signaled a sharp reversal in Britain's position, which had not allowed Ukraine to target Russian territory with British-supplied weapons.
SPACE THREAT
Boeing is on the verge of launching astronauts aboard new capsule, the latest entry to space travel. After years of delays and stumbles, Boeing will finally launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA.
New details emerge of Russia's potential nuclear space weapon. The U.S. “has been aware of Russia's pursuit of this sort of capability dating back years, but only recently have we been able to make a more precise assessment of their progress.”
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Will Australia's giant quantum project bring militaries' fears to life? A $620 million contract aims to make a computer powerful enough to break codes by 2027.
Denmark increases defense spending in view of Russian long-term war. It will raise it by an additional $5.1 billion over the next four years in order to speed up investments in military capabilities.
China's leader arrives in Europe to reinvigorate ties amid global tensions. Xi Jinping kicked off a three-country trip to Europe on Sunday with the continent divided over how to deal with Beijing's growing power and the U.S.-China rivalry.
US greenlights $60M in military assistance to Haiti amid rampant gang violence. The move is seen as an apparent attempt to go around GOPoversight efforts.
US MILITARY
Divisions in the dirt: The Army's plan for the next big war. Thousands of enemy troops pour across the border, invading the sovereign nation of Pirtuni — a staunch U.S. ally.
Troops injured in landing craft collision returned to duty or stable. Thirty-four service members have returned to duty and one sailor is in stable condition as of Friday, May 3, following a collision between two landing craft off the coast of Florida last week.
AI-controlled fighter jet takes Air Force secretary on historic ride. An experimental orange-and-white F-16 fighter jet launched. But the aerial combat that followed was unlike any other: This F-16 was controlled by AI, not a human pilot. And riding in the front seat was Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
Military Sealift Command christens its newest Expeditionary Sea Base. The USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB-7), launched on Saturday in San Diego.
END of PDB
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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