Congress Must Save National Guard From Federal Control

PAUL’S DAILY BRIEF (PDB) Monday – The National Guard is in the crosshairs. Congress can save it. For nearly 400 years, the National Guard has been America’s protectors on the home front.

But the existence of the National Guard as we know it is now being seriously challenged.

Congress is poised to adopt language in the annual National Defense Authorization Act that would override governors’ authority over National Guard units. Adoption would seriously damage our national security, imperil military readiness, and infringe upon long standing gubernatorial authority over National Guard units.

This override of established federal law raised serious concerns within the National Guard community and united the nation’s 55 state and territorial governors in opposition to it.

The good news is Congress has an opportunity to change course.

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

For Americans scarred by Beirut bombings, a measure of delayed justice. Hezbollah’s Ibrahim Aqil, who was killed this week by Israel, was long wanted for the devastating 1983 attacks at the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks that killed hundreds of Marines and others.

What the wars in Gaza and Ukraine are teaching the US about logistics. Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel nearly one year ago caught the world by surprise—including the U.S. military’s top logistics officer.

YES – Should the US be better prepared to reinstate military conscription? More than a half century has passed since the U.S. ended the draft. The Selective Service System still requires males to register at 18, but that’s about it.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Secret Service’s next challenge: Keeping scores of world leaders safe at the UN General Assembly. The agency, under a cloud, is confident in its multi-layer, multi-agency plan. The event is deemed a Super Bowl-level National Special Security Event.

Former Army soldier sentenced to 2 years in prison for threatening Fort Irwin. Christian Beyer posted a video online in October 2023 saying he would sneak on the base and shoot troops, prompting a manhunt.

POLITICS

THE USUAL SUSPECTS AND IDIOT HACKS – Former defense secretaries, national security leaders rally for Harris. More than 740 former national security officials released a letter supporting Kamala Harris and decrying former President Donald Trump as dangerous to the future of America.

Spending deal averts a possible federal shutdown and funds the government into December and pushes final decisions until after the November election.

On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, some veterans say too few POW/MIA flags are flying. The third Friday of September is POW-MIA Recognition Day, POW-MIA flags should be flying from every flagpole.

MIA/POW ceremony recognizes the Vietnam War lost who have been found.

US POWER OVERSEAS

Here’s where US forces are in the Middle East as war looms. An increased military presence has about 40,000 forces, at least a dozen warships and four Air Force fighter jet squadrons spread across the region both to protect allies and to serve as a deterrent against attacks.

Map shows US and China’s aircraft carriers in Pacific this week. US has one of its six West Coast-based aircraft carriers operating in the Western Pacific again following a two-month surge deployment in the Middle East.

US Army banking on medical aid and partnerships with militaries across Africa to strengthen ties amid global competition. Some of these African militaries are engaged in heated campaigns against militant terrorist groups.

Army activates first-of-its-kind medical command in Europe with an eye on Moscow. This, as the service adapts to the lessons learned from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

US to announce long-awaited ‘joint’ plan to draw down US troops in Iraq.

ISRAEL WAR AGAINST TERROR

INCOMPETENT, SCARED – The US is more hands-off than usual in the Middle East. Biden-Harris fears making things worse.

THIS IS MODERN WAR – Did Middle East device attack violate international law? Advocates want an investigation.

Hezbollah hits back with rockets as it declares an ‘open-ended battle’ with Israel. Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets early Sunday across northern Israel, with some landing near the city of Haifa, as Israel launched hundreds of strikes on Lebanon. This, as both sides appeared to be spiraling closer toward all-out war.

Israel warns civilians to evacuate from homes and other buildings where it claimed Hezbollah has stored weapons as it strikes wide swaths of southern Lebanon.

Israel raids and shuts down Al Jazeera’s bureau in Ramallah in the West Bank. It has ordered the ‘propaganda’ bureau to shut down amid a widening campaign by Israel targeting the Qatar-funded broadcaster.

CHINA THREAT

What American fighters and their drone wingmen fighting Chinese jets might look like. The U.S. side would employ crewed fighters and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone wingmen.

How does the Air Force confront the China problem?

Biden tells Quad leaders that Beijing is testing region at turbulent moment for Chinese economy.

How serious a military threat is China? Half of Americans now view China as a threat. An invasion of Taiwan or a South China Sea crisis could lead to open conflict. How big a military threat is China now? How worried should we be?

Taiwan looks for ways to defend itself as US weapons supply hit by Gaza, Ukraine. Delayed shipments raise questions about what island democracy can do to stockpile arms ahead of potential conflict with China.

US close to sending $567 million in immediate security aid to Taiwan, the largest such package to date.

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

US likely to send medium-range air-to air missiles for Ukraine’s F-16s. This, as part of a $375 million military aid package expected on Monday.

Volodymyr Zelensky has a plan for Ukraine’s victory and to end the war with Russia.

Zelenskyy hopes for quick US action as more arms depots are hit in Russia. A major Ukrainian drone attack set multiple Russian arms depots ablaze, destroying thousands of tons of weaponry, including missiles from North Korea.

SPACE THREAT

US Space Command’s commercial operations group gets expanded role. The Joint Task Force-Space Defense Commercial Operations cell is broadening its focus beyond space tracking to battlefield intelligence.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

New Zealand’s army chief: Pacific nations need tailored military training. As the U.S., China and other powers vie for strategic influence in Pacific Island militaries, not all of the larger nations bidding to offer support are supplying what tiny island nations find most helpful.

US MILITARY

WHY NOT NOW? WHY NOT BEFORE? Recruits need real rifles at boot camp, top enlisted airman says. The Air Force eventually wants its aspiring recruits to carry real rifles during basic military training.

Air Force secretary ‘confident’ there’s enough support for service’s ongoing overhaul amid election uncertainty. Frank Kendall has emphasized the need to better position the Air Force for a modern conflict.

WATCH – Meet ‘MUTANT,’ the Air Force’s radical new missile design.

Sixth-generation fighter at F-35 costs? ‘That’s not going to happen,’ industry predicts. The Air Force wants to get the price per 6^th gen plane down to F-35 levels, about a third of what it originally projected it would pay.

AFSOC boss sees new uses for OA-1K light armed overwatch planes. Air Force Special Operations Command will find ways to use the plane, setting aside questions about the fleet’s size and utility in a changing strategic environment.

New Virginia-class US submarines running $17 billion over budget, part of a bigger crisis in the program.

Army to close last active information warfare command as it moves those ops to smaller specialized units.

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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