PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – GOP lawmakers agree. Could striking first in cyber be new US military policy? The White House’s pick to lead DOD cyber policy wants to lean in on offensive cyber operations and using AI as the cyberattacks become more common and lawmakers worry about conflict with China.
“While we need strong defenses, we are not going to deter the adversary with defenses only,” Katie Sutton, who was recently the chief technology advisor at U.S. Cyber Command, told senators during her confirmation hearing to become assistant defense secretary for cyber policy.
“If confirmed, I will work to strengthen our offensive cyber capabilities to ensure the President has the options he needs to respond to this growing threat.”
To do that, Sutton said DOD needs to reevaluate its policies and authorities, including the 2018 National Security Presidential Memorandum 13, which was designed to streamline how cyber operations get approved, to keep up with new threats.
Lawmakers agreed, calling for more transparency and use of offensive cyber operations.
“We need to be more aggressive, offensively,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.). “I don’t think that a lot of Americans understand, probably, how vulnerable our critical infrastructure is to what the Chinese are already probably embedded in what they’re willing to do. It certainly would reach a critical mass if they moved on Taiwan. I think that that’s sort of probably where they go first.”
There was even some support for more doctrine on cyber warfare. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, called for a “doctrine on deterrence in cyberspace” to make it clear to adversaries that the US was serious about offensive cyber operations.
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
HOMELAND SECURITY
POLITICS
President Trump has issued a proclamation designating May 8 as a day for the US to celebrate victory in World War II as countries in Europe already do. (RELATED: Trump Makes Historic Announcement)
TRUMP NEEDS TO FIX THIS – Can’t go forward, can’t go back: Afghan refugees stuck in Qatar after Trump suspended the refugee program that would have let them in, wait for a way forward.
US POWER OVERSEAS
US military adding infrastructure, security at Somalia airfield that’s been al-Shabab terror target.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Behold, the artful dealmaker Trump working his magic on Putin. So, this is “the art of the deal.” The author of the book with that title is illustrating that the subtleties of Trump’s dealmaking with Russia can be appreciated only by connoisseurs.
Joe Biden has said that Trump pressure on Ukraine to give up territory to Russia is “modern-day appeasement” in first interview since leaving the White House. BIDEN APPEASED IRAN MUCH MORE.
IRAN THREAT/MIDEAST
An F/A-18 fighter jet landing on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea went overboard, forcing its two pilots to eject. The second to go over in eight days during fight with Houthis. (RELATED: US Military Reports Another Aerial Loss)
Airstrikes pound Gaza as Israel announces plans to capture more land and displace more residents.
NORTH KOREA THREAT
North Korean leader urges increased artillery shell production amid alignment with Russia.
SPACE THREAT
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Pakistan claims to have downed Indian warplanes, vows response to strikes. India’s military said the strikes were in retaliation for a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Risk of escalation is rising.
US MILITARY
Stratolaunch goes hypersonic with reusable maneuverable Talon-A vehicle. Two hypersonic flight tests were completed mere months apart using the same autonomous vehicle, a milestone for the U.S.
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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