MONDAY PDB – With Iran's ominous attack on Israel, U.S. deterrence fails again, as Tehran shows it is willing to take more escalatory risks while Biden tries to restrain Israel.
Still, US forces help Israel repel Iranian drone, missile attack, including dozens of missiles and drones Saturday that were fired at Israel from Iran and its proxy terror forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Iran reportedly fired more than 300 projectiles, including 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles and 110 surface-to-surface missiles at Israel, the first time that it had targeted the Jewish state directly. But Israel, with the help of key allies, the U.S., U.K. and Jordan, claims to have intercepted 99% of the launches. (RELATED: Biden Warns Netanyahu After Helping Israel Thwart Iran Assault)
US details Pentagon's role in defending Israel from Iranian attack. Among the U.S. forces that participated were a fighter squadron from Britain and a fighter squadron from North Carolina. The USS Carney and USS Arleigh Burke, destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, shot down four to six ballistic missiles in the attack.
U.S.-manned Patriot missile batteries in Irbil, Iraq, took down another missile on its vector to Israel.
Iran's first direct attack on Israel, in response to a recent strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, may be pushing the Middle East closer to a full-blown regional war. (RELATED: Will Iran Survive An Attack On Israel?)
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
US intelligence finding shows China surging equipment sales to Russia to help war effort in Ukraine. This includes machine tools, microelectronics, and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft, and other weaponry for use in its war against Ukraine.
NO – THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE – WE DON'T CUT AND RUN AND GIVE IRAN ANOTHER VICTORY – Get US troops out of harm's way, now. Finally concluding America's counter-ISIS mission in Iraq has been an issue for the last three years. Monday's White House meeting between Joe Biden and Iraq's Prime Minister must be the moment that the story is finally concluded. Iran's attack on Israel this weekend only strengthens the case.
Underwater UFOs display capability that ‘jeopardizes US maritime security,' ex-Navy officer says. The a retired rear admiral in the US Navy, published a report about the dangers..
PENTAGON WOKE WATCH
IT WAS NEVER A REAL THREAT – How DOD missed its opportunity to counter extremism in the ranks. Has the threat of extremism in the ranks fallen off the Department of Defense's radar? The department's fiscal 2025 budget request suggests it has.
US POWER OVERSEAS
Biden to host Iraqi leader as Mideast tensions soar, raising more questions about US troop presence. Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are both expected to address the U.S. troop presence in meetings with Iraq's Minister. “It is not the primary focus of the visit … but it is almost certainly going to come up.”
‘Matter of time': AFRICOM puts counter-drone systems at top of $500M unfunded priorities list. AFRICOM also said it would spend another $228 million on “high-risk intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance” to shore up current “unacceptable risk” to US interests on the continent.
Marine Corps deploys cyber personnel to Pacific for enduring defense mission. The cyber rotational force concept brings experts from Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command to assist in hardening networks and critical infrastructure.
Kadena Air Base shows off new air power with an ‘elephant walk'. Busy replacing its aging F-15C/D fighter jets at the air base in Japan since 2022, the base has been home to a series of rotating units of varied and vast array of U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft. So, the Air Force's 18th Wing showed them off on Friday in a large “elephant walk.”
Hundreds rally in Niger's capital to push for US military departure. This, after the ruling junta further shifted its strategy by ending a military accord with the U.S. and welcoming Russian military instructors.
CHINA THREAT
US and Philippines step up strategic partnership as China threats loom in South China Sea. Team Biden on Friday reassured the Philippines that the U.S. commitment to the country's defense is steadfast amid increasingly provocative Chinese actions.
US, Japan, S Korea hold drills in disputed sea as Biden hosts leaders. A U.S. carrier strike group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt has held a joint exercise with its two allies as Joe Biden met for talks with leaders from Japan and the Philippines at the White House. This, meant to strengthen the partners' solidarity in the face of China's aggressive military actions in the region.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Ukraine's military chief warns of ‘significantly' worsening battlefield situation in the east. This, as warming weather allowed Russian forces to launch a fresh push along several stretches of the more 620-mile front line.
Europe is already planning for what happens if Ukraine loses. It's ugly. A Ukrainian loss, which could happen very soon if U.S. weapons don't arrive, would ramp up Russian efforts to destabilize the governments of NATO countries and increase defense spending across the alliance. EUROPE NEEDS TO SPEND MORE!
Drones are crowding Ukraine's skies, largely paralyzing battlefield. So many drones patrol the skies over Ukraine's front lines — hunting for any signs of movement — that Ukrainian and Russian troops have little ability to move on the battlefield without being spotted and blown up.
SPACE THREAT
US must be transparent about realistic prospects for cooperation in space. Working closely with allies and partners offers the Pentagon an opportunity to build resilience and strengthen deterrence in an increasingly contested space domain.
US MILITARY
Air Force to get F-15E Strike Eagle jet with fresh electronic warfare tech in summer.
Traditions vs. politics: The long and undisciplined history of Navy ship-naming. Congress is taking aim at the Navy tradition of selecting ‘untraditional' names for its new ships and submarines.
Navy advances “Deep Sea Expeditionary” dive suit. Watch: What's the latest with the Navy's effort to develop a new suit for deep-water missions? How about a novel HUD display? That and more are in the works.
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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