PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – Russia, US agree to work towards improving ties and ending Ukraine war after talks that reflected an extraordinary about-face in US foreign policy under Trump.
Volodymyr Zelensky complained that peace talks are taking place without his country’s participation and seemingly to Russia’s benefit. Meanwhile, Trump seemed to blame Ukraine for not seeking an earlier peace deal for years and sided with the Russian position that Zelensky should face new elections.
Leaders of several European nations met in Paris today to discuss whether to send troops to help bolster any deal to end the Ukraine war, and if so, what they would do there. A lot, however, depends on what kind of support, if any, the U.S. provides.
Armed neutrality for Ukraine Is NATO’s least poor option. When it comes to securing Ukraine’s future, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, armed neutrality is the worst option for the United States and NATO, except for all the others.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories ending the week from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:
NATIONAL SECURITY
The CIA is reportedly flying unarmed MQ-9 Reapers inside Mexican airspace to spy on drug cartels and their Fentanyl labs inside Mexico. The covert use of Reapers, which can be armed, comes amid talk of possible direct action by U.S. forces against the cartels that could include drone strikes.
Spending, troops and Asia: three ideas for Europe to stabilize NATO. Pete Hegseth’s Feb. 12 remarks to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group shook many Europeans into believing that America’s commitment to the alliance is wavering dangerously.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Nearly 300 deportees from US held in Panama hotel as officials try to return them to their countries.
Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division arrive at Fort Huachuca to support southern border mission.
Customs and Border Protection agents assist with migrant deportation flights at Fort Bliss, Texas.
POLITICS
Defense Department firings expected to start soon. Team Trump has directed defense agencies to turn over a list of their probationary employees by the end of Tuesday. Many could be fired as soon as this week.
PENTAGON WOKE WATCH
RECUSE HERSELF! An openly lesbian federal judge on Tuesday questioned Trump’s motives for issuing an executive order that calls for banning transgender troops from serving in the military, describing a portion of the directive as “frankly ridiculous.”
US POWER OVERSEAS
More than 5,000 military personnel from roughly 35 nations and international groups are embarking on a 12-day, US-led maritime security exercise, marking the largest multinational training event in the Middle East region to date.
IRAN THREAT/ISRAEL WARS
Israeli troops stay inside south Lebanon after withdrawal deadline.
CHINA THREAT
AH-1Z attack helicopter’s new Long Range Missile seen for the first time. The Marines are developing at least one new missile, the Precision Attack Strike Missile (PASM), to dramatically extend the range their AH-1Zs can engage land and sea targets in a future major Pacific war against China.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Ukraine appears to have destroyed the first Russia’s S-350 Vityaz ground-based air defense system of the war. It is one of Russia’s most advanced surface-to-air missile systems and only rarely seen deployed in the conflict.
Since last year, the Ukrainian Air Force has been flying an unusual, black-painted MiG-29 ‘Ghost’ Fulcrum. An official video shows the jet in more detail.
Ukrainian defense planners envision a drones-only front line. Ukraine plans a 15-kilometer unmanned “kill zone” along the front lines, which would see the most advanced Ukrainian drone units deploy a mix of surveillance and strike drones against Russian troops.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Sudanese paramilitaries have killed more than 200 people in a three-day assault south of Khartoum.
India seeks AI breakthrough – but is it falling behind?
US MILITARY
The Army spent nearly 70% of the money it collected from enlisted troops’ food allowances on expenses other than meals, even as it struggles to provide them with a nutritious diet.
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.
READ NEXT: Trump Launches Shocking Verbal Attack During Crucial Peace Negotiations
IF YOU DRONE AND KILL PEOPLE IN MEXICO, THE CARTELS WILL RETALIATE AND KILL AMERICAN CITIZENS LIVING LEGALLY AND ILLEGALLY IN MEXICO
They take out their own citizens, so what do you think they will do to Americans living in Mexico? I’m an Ex-Pat living in Mexico. This kind of talk scares the be-jesus out of me.
Trump is making a big mistake in appeasing Putin. If he concedes all of the occupied lands to Putin, he has totally given in. Chamberlain conceded Sudetenland to Hitler, convinced that it would end the conflict. Now Trump wants to concede the captured lands to Putin, so he will be content. This to a dictator with dreams of recreating the Soviet Union and reclaiming its borders. Putin, like Hitler, will have won. I am sure that Putin has carefully studied Hitler and is modeling his behavior likewise. Putin MUST withdraw to the original international borders, or the whole settlement is a sham. My thought is that Trump just wants to show that he quickly ended this conflict, but the bigger picture is being ignored.
Only strategy: Do not allow Putin to keep 1 inch of Ukraine.
The ONLY reason this “War” went on as long as it did is, congress members and other’s that profit off of it, WANTED THE MONEY LAUNDERED BACK TO THEM FOR SUPPLIES. No other reason. And Trump is PROVING that now. These people MUST be held accountable for this FARCE.