Europe Signals A Major Shift As Russia Tensions Rise

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – With or without U.S. – European lawmakers call for ‘military Schengen’ zone to cut constraints on NATO mobility. They want to remove internal barriers to cross-border movement of troops and military equipment, allowing the forces of partners and allies, such as the U.S., to move across the Continent faster in a crisis.

Majority of Germans now consider Europe’s security situation more dangerous than Cold War era amid growing doubts about willingness of U.S. to come to Continent’s defense. This, as fear of a Russian attack grows.

France to proceed with construction of large next-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Norway extends military reach to remote Arctic island.

Sweden will soon have capability for deep strikes far behind enemy lines, as Gripen will be integrated with German-made Taurus cruise missile earlier than planned.

MPs warn U.K. lags behind key European allies on deployed drone capabilities.

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) will be part of weapons mix for British Army’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from 2027.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Trump released new executive order (EO) setting national space policy across civil, commercial and defense sectors — with goal of establishing an “initial” Moon base by 2028 and reiterating administration’s Golden Dome plans for air and missile defense shield over America.

Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has qualified 1,086 more companies to compete for future awards under its Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program to develop advanced technology to support future Golden Dome “layered” missile defense architecture.

An emerging risk: AI is exposing U.S. strategic thought. AI tools like ChatGPT are now deeply embedded in Americans’ daily work with hundreds of millions of weekly users, including widespread use across U.S. military, and in professional military education in institutions like Army War College and National Defense University.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard members will receive their own version of President Trump’s “Warrior Dividend” this month, a $2,000 holiday bonus that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem describes as “Devotion to Duty” payment.

Army Reserve lawyer detailed as federal immigration judge was fired barely month into the job after granting asylum at high rate out of step with Trump administration deportation goals.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Pentagon failed its financial audit for eighth consecutive year, highlighting ongoing systemic challenge nation’s largest federal agency faces in fully accounting for its assets.

Hegseth directs DOW leaders to soon issue bonuses up to $25K to high-performing civilian defense employees.

US POWER OVERSEAS

U.S. sending a contingent of Air Force personnel to Ecuador for short term mission in support of “anti-drug trafficking” operations.

VENEZUELA-NARCO THREAT

As U.S. military and economic pressure builds on Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro, an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was tracked flying close to Venezuelan coast, apparently for first time.

CHINA THREAT

Pentagon wants to eliminate Chinese military companies from defense industry’s supply chains, so it’s preparing to alert contractors next year of any possible “indirect” China ties before Congress-mandated ban takes effect.

RUSSIA THREAT

Belarus’ authoritarian president said Russia had deployed its latest nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system to the country.

Russia’s secret cargo in Burkina Faso. 50 Russian military personnel were seen near a Il-76 military transport plane. The troops are believed to be part of Russia’s “African Corps,” a strategic entity used by Moscow to deploy military and security resources across Africa.

UKRAINE WAR

In escalation of “tanker war” between Russia and Ukraine, so far played out mainly in Black Sea, Ukrainian aerial “bomber drones” struck a tanker belonging to Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ in Mediterranean.

MIDDLE EAST THREATS

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. has been nominated to lead key security operation based in Jerusalem as Trump seeks to push Gaza ceasefire agreement into second phase.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced operation to “eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites” in Syria following killings of three U.S. citizens.

Jordan confirmed its air force took part in strikes launched by U.S. on Islamic State group targets in Syria.

Israel’s Cabinet approved 19 new Jewish settlements in West Bank, as government pushes ahead with construction binge in the territory that further limits possibility of Palestinian state.

SPACE THREATS

Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced four new contracts, worth $3.5 billion total, for 72 new next-gen satellites for missile warning and tracking.

US MILITARY

All Marines in combat arms fields will have to meet same standards on Physical Fitness Test, or PFT, regardless of gender. The new rules bring Marine PT standards in line with guidelines laid out by Hegseth mandate.

Marines seeking companies that can provide 10,000 first-person view drones by Jan. 1, 2027, at $4K a pop.

Air Force is upgrading its experimental, autonomous X-62 VISTA aircraft with new radar and other mission systems to expand its ability to conduct complicated tests of AI technology.

Pentagon’s Army-led task force is looking for one command-and-control system that can run any of the counter-unmanned aerial systems equipment that government agencies can buy through their online marketplace.

Army scrapping its Spiritual Fitness Guide after less than five months in use.

Navy pursuing new class of smaller, more agile combatant ships that will become “critical component of the fleet of the future.”

Navy’s Project Overmatch effort will now lead service’s new acquisition office to quickly purchase more drones.

AIRCAT Bengal MC is 36-meter multi-mission vessel built on Surface Effect Ship (SES) architecture, which combines catamaran-like stability with air cushion technology for reduced drag and enhanced performance in rough seas. This allows for exceptional speed — exceeding 50 knots depending on payload — and range of 1,000 nautical miles, and able to carry payload up to 40-44 tons.

From the 100th Eastern Range space launch to Operation Midnight Hammer. Space Force on Saturday did not have big birthday celebration like Marines, Army or Navy had this year, but the service keeps moving forward.

U.S. military will stop shooting pigs and goats to prepare medics for treating wounded troops, ending an exercise made obsolete by simulators that mimic battlefield injuries.

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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