Trump Calls On Europe To Boost Self-Defense Efforts, But It Must Move Faster

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – Europe can build up most of the critical defense ‘enablers’ needed to deter or defeat Russia without US support via NATO within five years, provided the political will to invest is there, according to security experts.

Without critical enablers now provided by the U.S. through NATO, such as command and control (C2), satellite intelligence and long-range strike, EU Union countries, the U.K. and Norway could still defeat Russia in a conventional conflict, but it would be a costlier and bloodier affair.

“At a European level we’re actually not fully operational without those enablers,” said one expert in Brussels.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything, but it would be much more improvised. Much bloodier, with more losses of people, of terrain also – so we have to solve that urgently.

To counter Russia’s “menace,” UK’s leftist Prime Minister Starmer announced that British defense spending will be increased to 2.5 percent GDP by 2027.

France eyeing deployment of nuclear-armed Rafale fighters to Germany, amid growing concerns that the US will no longer guarantee European security.

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

Trump’s nominee to be the next deputy defense secretary sought to reassure lawmakers that the Pentagon would follow the nation’s laws and preserve its core workforce amid Trump’s military shakeup.

US manufacturers beyond the traditional defense contractors—like carmakers—should get Defense money to build weapons, even at the expense of near-term competition, Trump’s nominee to be the Pentagon’s No. 2 civilian leader said.

Iron Dome for America gets a golden makeover. In a bit of verbal alchemy, the Pentagon is turning iron into gold.

HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. MUST RESPOND! Over the past year, Chinese cyber attackers have gained access to important US networks. Volt Typhoon burrowed into critical infrastructure to preposition cyber assets in the event of a crisis or war with the U.S. Meanwhile, Salt Typhoon penetrated multiple telecommunications networks to spy on Americans.

Team Trump is creating a registry for all people who are in the US illegally, and those who don’t self-report could face fines or prosecution.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is seeking to deploy Starlink satellite internet terminals to help accelerate an upgrade of the information technology networks that support the FAA’s national airspace system.

HMMM? WHAT? The Justice Department says a military veteran’s presidential pardon for Capitol riot charges also extends to his separate conviction for illegally possessing stolen grenades and classified information.

PENTAGON WOKE WATCH

The Syracuse VA Medical Center has removed many of the LGBTQ+ posters and window messages and resources since Trump took office.

POLITICS

The House narrowly adopted a budget blueprint that would invest an additional $100 billion in defense in the next decade.

Trump calls DOGE’s email to federal workers ‘genius.’

The Veterans of Foreign Wars criticized the ongoing mass layoffs of government employees, arguing that veterans — nearly one-third of the federal workforce — are disproportionately affected.

More than 20 civil service employees resigned Tuesday from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, refusing to use their technical expertise to “dismantle critical public services.”

IRAN THREAT/ISRAEL WARS

‘We are still at war’: Syria’s Kurds battle Turkey months after Assad’s fall.

US says Gaza ceasefire talks on track for a second phase, as Hamas said Israel agreed to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages.

CHINA THREAT

China’s large, jet-powered, twin-fuselage WZ-9 Divine Eagle drone has been operating, at least sporadically, out of an airbase on the strategic Hainan Island at the northern end of the hotly contested South China Sea since Dec.

Australia and New Zealand forces are tracking a Chinese surface action group operating off the island of Tasmania in Australia’s exclusive economic zone, as US and Japan hold ballistic missile exercise.

The Philippines and Japan pledged to enhance their defense alliance through training exercises, logistical activities, equipment transfers and intelligence sharing amid China’s belligerent moves in the South China Sea.

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

Trump says Zelenskyy set to visit White House on Friday to sign rare earth minerals deal to pay for US military aid to defend against Russia.

Ukraine needs $524 billion to recover and rebuild.

Russia and Ukraine launched dozens of drones at each other Wednesday in an aerial assault that left energy facilities damaged in Ukraine.

French President Macron visited the White House to convince Trump to stand by Europe in his talks with Russia about ending the war in Ukraine. Macron called the meeting a “turning point” — but Trump made no promises.

NORTH KOREA THREAT

South Korea unveiled a new stealthy loyal wingman-type drone, the Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System, or LOWUS, to operate alongside the locally developed KF-21 next-generation fighter.

SPACE THREAT

Wargaming the unknown: Space Force’s challenge. Military planners have centuries of history for wargaming conflicts on land, at sea, and in the air. But in space — where no war has ever been waged — there is no historical precedent to guide strategy.

America needs a stronger Space Force. China and Russia are rapidly weaponizing space with sophisticated anti-satellite systems, cyber capabilities and electronic warfare technologies specifically designed to threaten America’s space assets.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

France’s foreign minister said that he wanted “all” European countries to cooperate and start cutting back visas available to nationals of countries that refuse to take back illegal migrants expelled by Paris.

US MILITARY

The “first priority” for Trump’s defense team should be a major cash infusion (a $45B ‘recovery plan’) to revitalize the Air Force and ensure the Space Force can deliver, report says.

The Air Force has confirmed that a recently released rendering of the AIM-260A does reflect the actual design of what is also known as the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM).

Air Force budget cuts may open old wounds with Congress as it wants to accelerate plans to retire outdated aircraft to meet SECDEF’s order for services to cut and reallocate some of their spending.

The Air Force and Space Force are currently on track to meet their fiscal 2025 recruiting goals.

With new operating pathways in the Arctic and the US military increasingly emphasizes proficiency in the cold, the Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to open a state-of-the-art center supporting research at its permafrost tunnel research facility in Alaska.

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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