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PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – The U.S. faces growing missile threats from adversaries developing hypersonic weapons, long-range cruise missiles and orbital bombardment systems. Hence President Trump’s vision to defend America.
National security advisor Mike Waltz forcefully defended the administration’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative, insisting that the project is not a fad and will remain a top Trump priority.
This, as it’s drawing sharp opposition from weak Democrats, who claim the program could undermine nuclear stability and provoke U.S. adversaries.
However, Waltz drew parallels between Golden Dome and Trump’s push to establish the Space Force during his first term — an initiative initially ridiculed but later vindicated by events.
“I recall just a few years ago, President Trump saying we need a space force and that this is a domain that we have not paid enough attention to, that this is the domain that deserves a seat at the table, just like all of our other services, that you can’t be number one on Earth if you’re number two in space,” he said.
MEANWHILE – NORAD Boss: Fighters will ‘certainly’ play role in Golden Dome. Since Trump unveiled his missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus has been on how DOD may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the U.S. from missiles.
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:
HOMELAND SECURITY
After mysterious incursions near US military facilities, NORTHCOM updates counter-drone procedures, while suggesting US adversaries aren’t above suspicion for the spate of incidents.
America’s poor response to measles outbreak is eroding its ability to deter biological attacks.
Military zone along the southern border means new — potentially harsher — penalties for newly detained illegals now charged with trespassing on a new narrow stretch of DOD-controlled land in New Mexico.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that her cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), plus other yet-to-be-announced reforms, will eventually strengthen the nation’s lead cyber defense organization.
Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon is a mess. Here’s how to fix it. The secretary of defense lacks the most important thing for the toughest job in the world: experience.
‘Make American ships again.’ Lawmakers re-introduce SHIPS Act. A bipartisan coalition is hoping an executive order signed earlier this month will give oxygen to a bill to revitalize the commercial maritime and shipbuilding industries and rebuff China.
House GOP lawmakers are asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether former VA leaders violated federal laws with their budgetary mistakes last year.
CHINA THREAT
Taiwan confident of US support minister says, despite widespread concern on the island that Trump could use the East Asian democracy as a bargaining chip in its dealings with China.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
US and Ukraine signed an agreement granting US access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, finalizing a deal that could enable continued military aid to Kyiv amid concerns that President Trump might scale back support in ongoing peace negotiations with Russia.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is pushing ahead with his plan to impose new sanctions on Russia and tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil, gas and uranium.
About 600 North Korean troops have been killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine out of a total deployment of 15,000, says South Korean intelligence.
Release of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia key to any peace deal, human rights groups say.
European Defense Fund funnels $1 billion to 62 defense projects focusing on AI, autonomous mine sweeping and defense against hypersonic weapons.
If European leaders want to beef up defense in space, they should look to the US Space Development Agency (SDA) as a model.
IRAN THREAT/MIDEAST
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened Iran over its support for Yemen’s Houthi militants, telling the country that it “will pay the consequence.”
As Team Trump continues to widen its engagement with Iran, Washington has yet to grasp a stark reality: An Israeli-Saudi peace deal is almost certainly beyond reach in the foreseeable future.
Iraq detains Islamic State terror leader accused of helping to incite New Orleans truck-ramming attack that killed more than a dozen people celebrating the start of 2025.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
Kim Jong Un wants more nuclear weapons on North Korean warships as he observed first day of weapons firing trials for newly launched multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon (51).
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Trump administration tells Congress it plans to label Haitian gangs as foreign terror organizations.
Canada’s new leader has promised a major overhaul of defense procurement as the country intends to ramp up military spending.
Pakistan says it has ‘credible intelligence’ India will attack within days, and vowed to respond “very strongly.” This, following last week’s deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
French Navy rams explosive drone boat into cargo vessel in live test as it seeks to prepare its ships and crews for high-intensity combat.
Turkey and Greece expand military confidence-building measures (CBMs), aiming to ease longstanding tensions between the two NATO members.
Experts see rise of powerful violent extremist non-state groups due to several trends and US retreat from global stage.
US MILITARY
US needs to modernize its Air Force now — or be prepared to lose. In 1984, Reagan declared: “None of the four wars in my lifetime and none of the wars that you have seen came about because we were too strong.
Future versions of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missile for the Army could carry Coyote drones, Hatchet miniature glide bombs, swarming munitions and other “enhanced” payloads.
FOCUS ON MARINES
Marines to ‘let NCOs loose’ with more drone access. The Marines’ new Attack Drone Team is tackling the challenge of turning drones into weapons.
Marine Corps official floats the idea of designing modularized payloads that could easily slot into the service’s new heavy lift helicopter to outfit it with varying capabilities.
Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is fusing traditionally rugged Marines with tech-curious ones.
Marines need new weapons for future fights. They are nearing their goal of having a full, fifth-generation fighter fleet. However, those new jets are still equipped with 1980s-era weapons technology.
Marines say that ensuring future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) ‘Wingman’ drones can fly in close proximity to friendly crewed aircraft without colliding with each other remains a major challenge.
Marines are fielding a host of options for knocking down airborne threats, from small drones to cruise missiles. Still, what they need is a way to handle potential drone swarms.
A nearly $11 billion plan to overhaul Marine Corps barracks condition and maintenance by 2037 may have to ditch a component that would have placed staff NCOs in enlisted barracks to mentor Marines and maintain order, over legal issue.
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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The republicans, conservatives and MAGA must immediately legally apprehend, charge, and prosecute the anti-Trump, anti-American, anti-white, antisemitic, anti-Christian, coup of democrats, Soros, Obama, Clinton, Pelosi and the American and foreign oligarchs to end their plot to destroy America.
We Need Golden Dome system NOW