PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – China’s military is both corrupt and increasingly capable, the Pentagon’s new report on Chinese military power reveals. It also provides new details of the most dramatic military buildup since World War II.
The bottom line: endemic corruption and lingering personnel and organizational weaknesses must be weighed against China’s unrivaled ability to marshal resources and its ongoing production and deployment of advanced military systems on an unmatched industrial scale.
China expanding Pacific operations, Taiwan invasion ‘not possible’ by 2027. The People’s Liberation Army Navy is “gradually expanding its operational reach beyond East Asia into a sustained ability to operate at increasingly longer ranges, including a continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden,” the Pentagon says.
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
Floridians led the charge to the Capitol on Jan. 6. Will Trump pardon them, too? Some of the most ardent created a military-style formation known as a “stack” to breach the Capitol.
New York governor to deploy 250 more National Guard troops in subways, doubling down on a controversial deployment that she credits with helping drive down subway crime.
Drone sightings? Alabama’s own radar mystery led to conspiracy theories, military rumors.
Drone flights banned over New Jersey energy infrastructure sites. The FAA announced it restricted drone flights over 22 energy infrastructure sites across the state.
US POWER OVERSEAS
US troops doubled in Syria — from 900 to around 2,000 — before Assad’s overthrow.
POLITICS
In rare move, Republican senators call for Pete Hegseth’s FBI report. The Senate Armed Services Committee usually limits who can view these types of background checks. Lawmakers want to see this one on the SECDEF nominee.
THIS IS BULLS**T – Senate OKs move of space-focused National Guard units after facing opposition from every governor in the country. The Colorado governor says the Air Force wouldn’t negotiate.
IRAN THREAT/ISRAEL WARS
Israeli Air Force strikes Yemen with Popeye and rampage standoff missiles, while the Yemen-based Houthi terror group was conducting its own missile attack on Israel. The Israeli raids come after an uptick in attacks against Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis.
CHINA THREAT
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Italy bristles at prospect of Russia moving ships from Syria to Libya. Russia is moving military assets from Syria to Libya, creating a security threat in the central Mediterranean.
Putin claims no final decision yet on Russia’s bases in Syria despite withdrawals. The new remarks stand at odds with Russia’s drawdown of military forces and materiel in the Middle Eastern country already and there are clear signs this week that those departures are only ramping up.
As Russia threats loom, Finland’s people are learning to shoot back. Unsettled by Russia’s expansionism and emboldened by its recent accession to NATO, Finland is rallying to strengthen its national self-defense beyond its traditional military capabilities.
Putin challenges West to ‘high-tech duel’ in Kyiv to test missile defense capabilities of both sides.
NATO chief inspects joint military unit in Bulgaria and urges alliance to boost support for Ukraine.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
Drone defense, bombing practice keep US, South Korean forces busy.
SPACE THREAT
Space Force needs more money to tackle its growing mission and support the joint force — but the Pentagon can’t raid the Air Force’s budget to pay that bill, says the Air Force Secretary.
WITH CHINA AND RUSSIA GAINING GROUND – Space Force must move faster to field counterspace capabilities.
As Space Force turns 5 on Dec. 20, here’s what you need to know about the military service.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
US MILITARY
Air Force secretary: Elon Musk ‘not a warfighter,’ needs to learn more about the military. He downplayed Musk’s recent pronouncements that crewed fighters are obsolete in the era of drones.
Air Force may curtail F-35 buy plan if newer tech pans out, SECAF says.
AXE MORE OF THEM! – Army will trim 5% of general-officer jobs (more than a dozen) in coming years.
The suicide rate among veterans held steady from 2021 to 2022 at roughly 17.6 deaths per day despite concerted federal efforts to bring the number down.
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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Our military is corrupt as well (mostly at the upper levels), so what’s your point?
Can the Bidens then spread lies to Chinese to keep off balance then