The Pentagon Can’t Be Woke — But It Can’t Be MAGA Either

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – Defense Secretary Hegseth withdrew a Navy admiral’s nomination to lead the Navy’s 7th Fleet — the Navy’s largest overseas force — amid reports of drag shows taking place under his command seven years ago.

The 596 inappropriate Woke books being banned by DOD schools. Children’s biographies of transgender public figures. A novel on what it is like to be Black in America. A series of graphic novels about a teenage gay couple.

Alabama military base redesignation ceremony set for this week after Hegseth orders renaming Fort Rucker – its second name change in two years.

Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians will take a new gender- and age-neutral fitness test starting next month.

DOD abruptly pulled several of its top officials from speaking this week at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, saying the forum’s ‘globalist’ organizers do not share DOD’s values.

But on the flip side of all this – Army has launched an investigation after a drill sergeant posted a video showing soldiers being hazed beneath a MAGA flag, which runs afoul of regulations prohibiting partisan political activity in uniform and on federal property.

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

Golden Dome expected to supercharge space economy. The $25 billion for Golden Dome missile defense system could bring a windfall of investment to Colorado’s space economy.

Even against admittedly low expectations, the NATO summit at The Hague was a success.

HOMELAND SECURITY

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has called for a heightened federal drone defense strategy, following reports of drone sightings in the Northeast toward the end of 2024.

DEFENSE POLITICS

After months of positive news about military recruiting efforts, lawmakers are poised to back White House plans to boost DOD’s end strength by about 26,000 troops next year.

DOD has started reviewing applications from personnel seeking financial compensation for brain health issues associated with the phenomenon known as Havana Syndrome.

US POWER OVERSEAS

These are the approximate positions of the Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of July 14, 2025.

U.S. plans to fund and build a base for watercraft and fast assault boats on the western coast of Palawan in support of Manila’s operations into the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

After three months, Carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) leaves Middle East, is now in the Indian Ocean. U.S. reduces destroyers in Mediterranean.

Two F-15EX Eagle II fighters arrived for training at Kadena Air Base, Japan, as the base gears up to receive a permanent fleet of the jets next spring.

IRAN THREAT/MIDDLE EAST

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox party has announced it is quitting the country’s fractious right-wing coalition due to a long-running dispute over mandatory military service, threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hold on power.

The Israeli government and the military are at odds over the cost and impact of a planned camp for Palestinians in southern Gaza, as politicians criticized the former prime minister Ehud Olmert for warning that the project would create a “concentration camp” if it goes ahead.

‘Why are you not preventing Israeli settler terrorism’: Palestinians call out IDF following beating death of American man.

CHINA THREAT

Taiwanese forces, including troops armed with Stinger shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, used the subway to maneuver around the capital city of Taipei to fend off a Chinese attack, as part of a major annual exercise for what looks to be the first time.

Australia hosts largest-ever Talisman Sabre multinational military exercise which is expected to attract the attention of Chinese spy ships.

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

President Trump threatened Russia with steep tariffs and announced a rejuvenated pipeline for U.S. weapons to reach Ukraine, hardening his stance toward Moscow after months of unsuccessful negotiations for ending the war.

Trump on Putin: Pleasant calls, deadly outcomes. In remarks at the White House, Trump offered his most detailed view yet of Vladimir Putin since returning to office. His comments combined skepticism, frustration, and a lingering belief that a deal remains possible.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has endorsed a new proposal by Trump that would see European nations foot the bill for supplying Ukraine with weapons drawn from U.S. stockpiles.

Footage from a recent Russian bombardment of the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi provides us with our best look so far at a Kh-101 cruise missile fitted with a cluster warhead being used.

NORTH KOREA THREAT

Two U.S. Air Force bombers, escorted by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets, conducted a joint flight near the Korean Peninsula— a move that immediately prompted threats of retaliation by North Korea.

SPACE THREAT

Space Force is training for ‘orbital warfare’ in its largest exercise yet, with a service-specific operation meant to see how it can handle complex conflicts in space.

Guardians of the 11th Space Warning Squadron were honored as the top Space Force unit for 2024 for their role in thwarting Iranian missile barrages.

A draft House spending bill rejects cuts, would keep NASA’s overall budget flat in fiscal year 2026 but shift money to exploration from science and other accounts.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

In bid to be ‘feared,’ France will accelerate a hike in defense spending to reach $75 billion in 2027, three years earlier than planned.

UK’s Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed to the Indo-Pacific under Operation ‘Highmast,’ has conducted a high-intensity barrier operation exercise designed to ‘fight off’ an intruding warship attempting to ‘breach,’ or close in on a British carrier.

An Italian plan to build the world’s longest suspension bridge could boost Italy’s bid to reach NATO spending targets if it is defined as defense spending.

First High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launch by Estonia marks milestone in Baltic defense. This, years of joint training with U.S. soldiers on a highly sought-after precision strike weapon.

US MILITARY

Air Force said that at least two B-21 bombers will be flying in 2026. While used for testing, they can be quickly configured for combat operations if necessary.

Jammed and confused: Alaska trial shows pitfalls of fielding U.S. drones. Dozens of aircraft gathered at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska in June as part of Red Flag — the premier, annual multinational exercise to demonstrate advanced, tactical air combat.

As Coast Guard receives billions in new Arctic funding, Alaska region gets a new commander and name.

Casualty evacuation, frequently referred to as CASEVAC, or “injured man drill,” is one of the most physically and mentally grueling tasks faced by military personnel.

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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